EUSA Insider:
Ajda Remskar
Age: 22
Place of Birth: Kranj, Slovenia
University: University of Edinburgh (GBR)
Published: 12 January 2018
Briefly describe how and why did you get involved in Sport Climbing?
My mum & dad have always been sport enthusiasts, so cycling, skiing, hiking weekends were regular in my childhood. Climbing started off for me as an extra-curricular activity, a fun thing to do twice a week, and progressively I got involved in local/regional/national/ international competitions along with a more structured and more frequent trainings.
"They give full-time students like myself a
chance to perform on the biggest stage."
What do you study? How do you balance your study, trainings and competitions?
I’m in my final year of BSc in Mathematics & personally I find studies and training a great contrast; one providing a break from the other (works both ways). I very much enjoy both studying and training, so I don’t struggle finding time for both. Spending a long day at university is tiring, but getting to stretch my limbs and sweat it out on the wall afterwards is refreshing and helps me refuel for more studying. In the opposite case, whenever I’ve had intense training periods, I start missing intellectual challenges and often occupy myself with mind games in my free time.
Tell us about your experience of the European Universities Championships 2017. Is this your first time at an EUSA event?
Being a full-time student, there aren’t many major competitions I’d be able to take part in, so I have been anticipating it and training this event. My training and my strengths have somehow changed so I surprised myself with taking a win on the first competition day in bouldering, which never used to be my main discipline. Having already surpassed my goals on the first day, the pressure dropped and I spent very enjoyable couple of days in Split.
"Fun climbs, relaxed atmosphere, adventuring in a
new city and great competition experience"
I’ve attended the EUG 2016 in Zagreb – an event very similar to the Championships this summer; tiring, hot and sweaty, but with loads of fun climbs, relaxed atmosphere, adventuring in a new city and great competition experience to take away.
In 2018 the European Universities Games 2018 will take place in Coimbra, Portugal, do you hope to be there? Why do you think university sport events are important?
I love university competitions, so me its a great shame that I can't compete at the games. They give full-time students like myself a chance to perform on the biggest stage. While realising these events are far from the professional World Cup level (at least in climbing) it’s still a privilege getting to compete alongside some of the world’s best. They challenge me, they put me through a whole spectre of emotions (in fact, several times, sometimes per day), and they make work hard to prove to myself that I can still climb well despite working towards a university degree.
"A great opportunity to travel the world, gain valuable experience and make unforgettable memories."
This is your chance! What is your message to European students like yourself?
Get involved! These events are for everyone – they are aimed for students to enjoy themselves, push their limits and show what they can do outside the exam hall. They are a great opportunity to travel the world, gain valuable experience and make unforgettable memories.
EUSA would like to congratulate Ajda on her achivements over the past few years,
we wish her the best for her studies in the UK, and we hope this is not the last time
we see her at EUSA events!
