Do you know that Mr Karol Jene:
<ul><li>loves cooking?</li><li>feels inspired by taking pictures of people he met on his life path?</li><li>see many positives in COVID times?</li><li>met at Lazarski University one of the most amazing people in his career?</li></ul>
I think it’s obvious why I choose to present him. To my mind, Karol Jene is the most interesting person to talk with. I like him, because he can easily find a common language with us, students. In addition, you just can’t fall asleep on his lectures even if the classes start at 8 a.m. It’s literally impossible, for the reason that he always tries to draw your attention and gives all the information in such an entertaining way with jokes and good examples. I admire Karol Jene, because he is definitely intelligent, creative, experienced and supportive.
Now, you have a great chance to read some interesting facts about Karol Jene and get to know him better!
1) Why do you like teaching (or what annoys you sometimes about being a lecturer, which part is the most difficult one)
I have been privileged to meet at Lazarski University some of the most amazing people in my career. I love watching my students light up when they are confronted with new theories and begin to understand them.
Accidently meeting up with former students downtown or receiving an unexpected thank you letter by e-mail from Lazarski alumni thanking me for the courses I taught three years ago and describing how it affected their lives is the biggest reward.
2) What do you value most about students?
Being an academic teacher is not only about teaching in the classroom. It's much more ... Lazarski University students have so much life, energy, and enthusiasm for study and work. They want to share, discuss, and debate ideas and problems. Interacting with them gives me a breath of fresh air.
3) What are your interests besides academic work? (hobby / how and with whom you like to spend free time)
I love cooking. I know it's hard to guess when looking at me, but it is true. Fusion cuisine, mixing non-obvious flavours and ingredients of different origins is my passion.<br />Recently, I have also discovered photography. In my spare time, I travel a lot around the world, trying to capture in the camera the joy, sadness, and beauty of people met on my way.
4) What is your favorite series/movie/book that you could recommend to students for long autumn and winter evenings?
Nothing has aroused my feelings of anger and helplessness on such a scale as the book „El hambre” by Martín Caparrós. In the space of these minutes dedicated to filling this column, dozens of people have already died, not because our increasingly overcrowded world does not produce enough food, but from ordinary, human, vile greed.
The second book that impressed me recently was Martin Ford’s “Rise of the Robots”. This book clearly shows that most professions can be automated in the future. Robots are perfect employees. They do not get tired, they are not mistaken and they do not strike. It makes one wonder if there is still room for human in the automated world.
For relaxation, I like to return to my favourite novel “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov or take a look at what’s new on Netflix.
5) What is your biggest advantage / disadvantage?
People often confuse modesty and self-awareness of their own strengths. I don’t and my strength is that I can build a relationship with students, find some common ground with them and even entertain them sometimes.
My disadvantage on the other hand, and although you may doubt it but trust me I also know my weaknesses, I’m really shy, so every time I have to make a public speech it is quite some stress for me.
6) How do you evaluate the year 2020; what are your wishes / dreams for the new year?
Of course 2020 was really difficult, there is no doubt about it, but it has a number of positives. The first one is that we’ve met! I’m always excited to meet new students, to share our unique experiences and to learn from their stories.
The loneliness, the separation, social distancing - it was all difficult but also I tend to look at the situation from the bright side looking for positives, so despite it was difficult and because it was so challenging it let me to see and experience number great things like e-learning, like dealing with solitude and our own weaknesses.