Anastasija Smolica: From Windows XP to Automotive Engineering

Hello everyone! My name is Anastasija Smolica, and I come from the small village of Peljaki, near Pazin.

Since I was a young child, I have always been a "sponge" for new hobbies and knowledge. I grew up watching my father dive into his books, test new machinery, fix cars, and play Minesweeper on his old Windows XP computer. Over time, those early observations shaped my own deepest passions: working with computers, gaming, and expressing myself through drawing.

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I truly found the courage to enter the world of technology when a friend recommended the Computer Technician program. I have just completed that degree, but I remember starting out feeling quite intimidated; I worried that, as a woman, I might struggle to find my place. To my delight, my experience was the opposite. The support and encouragement from my professors deeply motivated me to persevere. By honing my ability to listen and master complex materials in class, I was able to maintain excellent grades while still making time for my personal interests. Surrounded by a great community, the time truly flew by.

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Now, I am continuing my journey at the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka (RITEH), majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, as this field truly fascinates me. Looking ahead, I see myself working in the automotive industry and one day opening my own garage.

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I am now eagerly anticipating the start of this new, significant chapter of my life. I look forward to the friendships I’ll make and the paths that will unfold during these next three "mysterious" and exciting years.

Anastasija