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marți, 12 septembrie 2017

INTERVIEW - Research Assistant PhD. Alina Zaharia - From student to future teacher - only one step

Written by Manda Florina Claudia and Cucu Marian Catalin



Alina Zaharia, research assistant and PhD. at Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics from The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, highlights in an interview for Agrifood and Environmental Economics Club, organized by the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics and coordinated by Associate Professor PhD Simona Roxana Pătărlăgeanu, the importance of choosing a career from the beginning of the studies, as well as that of extracurricular activities. Alina Zaharia encourages students focusing on their dreams and believes that everyone has to follow their inclinations, professional interests as well as personal interests. 

We fully present the interview of Alina Zaharia.
Reporter: Why the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics?
Alina Zaharia: At the time of admission, I knew for what disciplines I had a more predominant inclination to assimilate information (to the real ones), and I was passionate about actions that focus on environmental protection.  So, on admission, I thought: which field (s) may / may be of the future, and of which I think they will help me to develop my potential and interests. That is how I chose Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics. It seemed to me that it specialize in three extremely important areas for the future of mankind: environmental protection, agriculture and the agro-food industry, together with the economy field. Looking back, I realize that this faculty represents a supporter of sustainable development through the permanent integration of its three pillars: economy, social and natural environment.
Reporter: What advice do you give to students in view of your student experience that later decided to build a career as a teacher in ASE?
Alina Zaharia: To follow her professional inclinations and interests as well as her personal interests. Not to do a faculty just for the sake of doing it, but to try to accumulate as much information as possible in this important cycle.
Reporter: What determined you to study abroad? Why the University of Verona?
Alina Zaharia: At that time, I had a vast experience in volunteering and I think I need another challenge, another situation where I can learn as much as possible. I knew about the existence of ERASMUS scholarships and the opportunities for Work & Travel, so I decided it was time to go to study in another culture. For this experience, I set out two important goals besides the usual interculturality ones: to learn a new language and to choose subjects that are not studying at college but which were of great interest to me . I was left with ERASMUS for only one semester and therefore I considered that Italian could be taught very well during this time, especially since all the elective courses were taught in Italian. Finally, I chose Verona because there was a partnership signed by our faculty and because they provided all the necessary information for an ERASMUS student (a student accommodation facility, a student NGO that targeted ERASMUS students, a well-organized international relations office).
Reporter: During the study period at the University of Verona, have you noticed new teaching techniques that you would like to implement in the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics?
Alina Zaharia: I notice a number of interesting differences that do not refer to teaching techniques (which are similar to ours), but which relate to the organization of the university system, such as the possibility that two teachers can take a course each of them coming with their own expertise; Possibility to complete a master's course with 7 enrolled students; The presence of two types of teaching staff: business experts (do not research) and teaching staff who also did research and their preponderant work was carried out in the university.
Reporter: How would you describe the experience of university studies in a foreign country?
Alina Zaharia: Unique. You learn so much about yourself and those around you. Encourage students and teachers to "grasp" this opportunity to go abroad with ERASMUS +.
Reporter: Do you plan to teach in a university from abroad? If "Yes", which country do you choose?
Alina Zaharia: Yes, I wish. I think that is an important step in my future training. Personally, I would choose the Nordic countries from Europe or Canada because they have greatly developed the areas related to the protection and prevention of natural or environmental degradation or sustainability.
Reporter: Which was the initiative to establish ASEAM (Student Association at Agri-Food and Environmental Economics).
Alina Zaharia: During my bachelor's degree, I did two years of volunteering in a student NGO (ASER) that offered me extraordinary opportunities for learning and professional and personal development. Thus, in the third year of the license, an idea was formed, namely to give back to colleagues from EAM what I learned through the establishment of ASEAM. But meanwhile I left with ERASMUS, that idea was not lost. After my return, I spoke to two of my other colleagues to establish an NGO. It took a while for it to materialize, but now there is ASEAM as early as September 15, 2014.
Reporter: Do you have a slogan for guiding you? Or an advice that you count on during your career?
Alina Zaharia: Do not worry, be happy! Respect those around you and be tolerant! If opinions, ideas, how to make things are different does not mean they are bad, they are just different!
Reporter: What advice would you have for a young graduate of the Faculty of Agri-Food and Environmental Economics who would like to be an entrepreneur?
Alina Zaharia: To follow his dreams and desires, but at the same time to be aware that he requires a lot of work and much more risk and responsibilities than a simple employee.