“WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT THE MBA PROGRAM ARE THE PEOPLE I SHARE THE CLASSROOM WITH!”

Edurne Romano Vitas is Senior Manager of the A&E Lifecycle at Verizon. She loves reading, traveling, meeting new people, learning new things, and exploring different perspectives on life. Edurne collects friends and adventures—nothing makes her happier than laughter. She says she wants to become a better professional and a better person, and for her, studying is the perfect way to pursue those goals.

That’s why she chose the MBA.

What brought you to Prague?

Work. After finishing my engineering degree, I couldn’t find a company willing to give me my first opportunity. That chance came from a company based in Brno, about two hours from Prague. After three years, I started getting job offers from across Europe. I chose Prague because I was excited about the job ahead of me—and I fell in love with the work-life balance that this country offers.

When did you start thinking about an MBA? What sparked the decision?

For the last few years, I’ve had a clear vision that I want to grow and transition into leadership. The opportunity came last year, and I was excited to take it on. It only took me a few months to realize that making responsible decisions and creating strategic plans for both business and people requires more than just intuition. An MBA seemed like a great way forward, especially since this program emphasizes leadership techniques and a mentoring-like culture. That’s what made me choose it.

How would you compare the MBA to your previous studies?

After high school, I did a two-year vocational training program. I really liked how practical it was—finally, I was learning something I could apply directly to real life. Then I went on to complete two engineering degrees, where I returned to a more theoretical approach. The MBA, which I started after gaining some work experience, is highly practical. The experiences shared by our lecturers help me not just to understand concepts but to actually remember and apply them.

You’ve seen quite a bit of the world. Can you compare countries and markets? Where was it the least interesting, and where the hardest?

Work is work, wherever you are. The difference lies in the people you work with. London was the toughest for me, because I never managed to find the balance between work and free time that allows you to truly enjoy life. Every country has its own culture, and your experience also depends on whether you’re a student or a working professional—so comparisons can be a bit unfair. Although Czech is a challenging language, life in the Czech Republic is very enjoyable because of the flexible work hours and the great balance between income and cost of living. It allows me to enjoy my hobbies and spend time with friends.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Living by the sea, baking my own bread in the morning, and enjoying my job—just like I do now. 😊