Can you introduce yourself, please?
My name is Marina Purina. I’ve been at Unicorn University since 2018, starting as a teacher of courses related with accounting, i.e. my main specialization. I got an interesting offer in 2019 though – to use my previous experience and my competences in a new role: the head of the Department of Languages. I agreed because I like working for Unicorn University and I want to develop further here.
I also teach accounting at the University of Economics, Prague, where students under my supervision have defended 29 bachelor and 2 diploma theses so far. I’m also finishing my doctoral study there. Besides, I cooperate with professional institutions. I love to prepare lectures dealing with tax and accounting translations for the Chamber of Court Appointed Interpreters and Translators of the Czech Republic.
I fell in love with Prague six years ago and have lived here since. I spend my free time with my husband walking, traveling or watching films. I also like to spend some time alone with a book or embroidery. My big hobby, as you can imagine, are languages. I typically use three every day.
What is your job about and what do you like about it?
Students have always been and will always be my inspiration number one. I’ve been engaged with some form of teaching for 12 years and I cannot remember a moment when I felt like leaving the path. Teaching is my goal and meaning of life. I always look forward to a new class and feel honoured to spend a part of students’ lives with them, teaching them and learning something from them. It may sound as a cliché, but I must be a kind of a hopeless romantic in this respect. However, the feedback I get boosts this.
The position of the Head of the Department of Languages enables me to organize the classes so that they are intriguing and useful both for students and teachers. I can recruit great, excited teachers and offer diverse courses.
What's different about language teaching at Unicorn University?
Our language courses are customized! English represents the best proof. Our ambitious plan commits us to provide students with interactive textbooks written by our teachers reflecting current needs. The 1st year textbook is already in use and highly popular. Where else can you find a comparison of Android and iOS and the Phillips Curve in one package? Our students deal with IT and management and therefore need both.
Moreover, our students can use the uuCoursekit app to practise new knowledge at home.
Finally, Mrs. Johnson’s Fighting Czechisms provides useful help to anyone interested in improving their writing or speaking skills in English.
What do you aim to achieve at Unicorn University?
My main goal is to ensure that every student gets the best possible quality education that reflects his or her needs. We work hard on this. We’d like everyone to be glad to come to school or work.
Currently, we’re in the process of preparing textbooks for the 2nd year. We’re making the texts useful by cooperating with the best experts. The book will include an exploration of computer viruses and cyber-security from an Offensive Security Certified Professional. I contributed my part on tax evasion and offshore (tax paradise). And that’s not all, of course!
Is there anything you'd like to tell our students/colleagues?
You ask sometimes how a woman from Siberia ended up in the centre of Europe and started teaching at a university. Well, it’s a conventional story: hard work and the support of my family. I believe that this combination with a bit of luck (but fortune favours the prepared) enables us to achieve our goals.
One more remark. Some people think that a favourable job is a simple job with low time demands. It may work for someone but in my experience one should be prepared for hours of studies, thinking, trials and errors. When something doesn’t work out immediately, it doesn’t mean one should give up. Do you like it? Are you interested? Nobody is born wise.
The most important rule is to like myself, cherish my hobbies, enjoy my life and look for a life path that inspires me. At Unicorn University, we do our best to help you do this. Welcome!
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