ZUZANNA ZUKOWSKA

1. Can you please introduce yourself (who are you, where are you from, what do you study)?

I'm Zuzanna, I was born in Warsaw but my whole life, until I started to attend university, I was living in Siedlce, a city located a hundred km from Warsaw. For a long time I didn't know what I want to study and finally ended up at the University of Warsaw studying a double degree program (Economics and Management). Now I am finishing my masters in Economics.

2. How long have you been a member of ESN and what were your roles before becoming active in the international world of ESN?

I joined ESN back in 2013, after coming back from my Erasmus in Granada, Spain. My section is ESN University of Warsaw. Before joining FICO and becoming active on the international level of ESN, I was a local treasurer and local president. I had to finish my second mandate in the local board earlier, because  I was going on my second Erasmus to Italy. There, I had the chance to meet the NB of ESN Italy and get to know the work of their network really well. During the time in Italy I helped the local section - ESN Salerno and attended 2 National Platforms of ESN Italy.

3. What is your position within FICO and how long have you been doing it?

Since July I'm the Vice-Chair for Partnership Development (previously VC for Sponsorship) of ESN Finance Committee).

4. Can you describe your main tasks and responsibilities?

Our mandate has started recently so until now our main task was to restructure the committee. We decided to introduce more teams to its structure. In our opinion that approach will answer the needs of the network better. The network is changing, there are new areas for development to discover and we tried to embrace that. You will be able to learn more about that during the Regional Platforms (so CEP in your case) Besides I'm coordinating the work of the members of my Partnership Development branch (previously known as the Sponsorship Team). Together with the CT we are also supporting the Treasurer of ESN International.

5. Can you describe some other interesting tasks on which FICO is working on?

Since our structure has been updated, the new teams will have exciting new goals and challenges ahead of them. From working closely with the events OCs through investigating new ways of implementing partnerships to support given to the Business and Finance Community - there is plenty of work this year.

6. What was your most valuable experience connected to being in FICO so far?

Learning that there are so many talented and intelligent people around the network waiting to be discovered.

7. What were the most challenging tasks that you had to deal with?

It isn’t a task connected to the work of the committee but more of a personal one linked to  it. I had to move on after losing the election of the Chair of the committee and in the end decided to run for the Vice-Chair position in the second round (as there were no candidates  before for that position).

8. Have you attended any international events related to FICO? If so, which ones and what was the best about them?

During my membership in FICO I had the chance to represent the committee at the National Boards Meeting that took place in May in Klaipeda, Lithuania. This was a truly developing experience for me. I had the chance to brainstorm, learn more about the needs of the ESN countries not to mention learn a lot from the people I encountered there.

9. What is your message for people who can’t decide whether to join FICO or not?

I'd simply say: go for it! I had a lot of doubts myself before applying as I thought the lack of experience on the national level would disqualify me. On the contrary I was accepted and now I know I have found my place in ESN. But what is more important I gained another family. Being a member of an international committee is a totally different experience, it is an environment that allows you to grow not only as ESNer but also as a person. I have a chance to cooperate with amazing people that inspire me everyday. Don't lose that chance and apply to join the committee that matches your background and interests!