Alumna from Iran: MU teachers were incredibly supportive and understanding

After studying Computer Engineering and completing an MBA, Elham worked as a game developer in Iran. She even published her own board game that helped bridge the difficulty gap between children’s and adults’ games. Then, she became interested in digital games and started learning independently, mainly through YouTube and friends. By then, she already had some experience and even worked full-time on a VR game.

Why did you decide to study abroad?

When the pandemic hit, the project was shut down. That’s when I realised I wanted to grow further, study in a new environment and gain international experience. So I started looking for Master’s programmes in game development across Europe.

Why did you choose Masaryk University and the Czech Republic?

I applied to two universities: one in Uppsala, Sweden, and one in Brno. A big motivator was the beauty of Prague, which is not far from here. Masaryk sent their response earlier, so I started studying there. The offer from Uppsala came later, but by then I was already in my first semester, and I really liked it here, so I decided to stay. Funnily enough, after 3.5 years in Czechia, I’ve only spent one night in Prague.

How would you rate your studies at Masaryk University?

What stood out most was how kind and supportive the teachers were. The course quality was very high, although I had expected a bit more of a focus on game production rather than building custom engines. In my first semester, I had a course on Human-Computer Interaction with Dr. Simone Kriglstein, and that’s when I discovered UX. I appreciated how flexible the programme was and that I could choose more UX-related courses. For my thesis, I designed and developed an app to help strengthen the bond between grandchildren and grandparents who live apart from each other. One downside was that the graduation ceremony was held in Czech.

Is there anything that surprised you about the Czech education system?

Yes! In Iran, when you fail a final exam, you retake the entire course the next semester, and you can do that as many times as needed. So, when I failed an exam here and the teacher said “See you next week,” I was really confused. That’s how I learned about the Czech system, with multiple exam attempts within one course. Also, during my studies, the political situation in Iran worsened. It was hard to focus while worrying about my friends and family and wanting to support the women’s rights movement. I talked to my teachers about it, and they were incredibly understanding. It felt like a big hug from them.

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Tell me about your first experience in Czechia.

I didn’t know any Czech. There was a teacher everyone called “Honza,” but I could only find the name “Jan” on the list. For a while, I genuinely thought “Wow, Czech must be really complicated if they pronounce J-A-N as ‘Honza’.”

Have you experienced any culture shocks?

One of the biggest surprises was at a video game conference I volunteered at. I thought the event was over after the official programme – but then there was an afterparty, with the teachers chatting and drinking. That was definitely a culture shock for me.

Have you had the chance to travel around Europe?

Yes, I’ve travelled quite a bit during my time here. I’ve visited Rome, Budapest, Greece, Spain and Sweden.

How would you compare life in Czechia with life in Iran?

There are some big differences, and also a lot of misunderstandings. For example, people were often surprised when I told them that, as a woman in Iran, I could drive, work and attend university. They didn’t expect that. And many were also surprised to hear that there are a lot of men in Iran who actively support women and stand by their rights and freedoms.

At the same time, I’ve been surprised by things here too. In Iran, we’ve started taking things like sexist jokes more seriously - we’re beginning to move past that as a society. So, it shocked me to hear these kinds of jokes still being made in a country like Czechia. On the other hand, what I really admire here is the freedom people have. In Czechia, you can live the way you want, express yourself freely and feel safe. That kind of freedom is still something many in Iran are fighting for - especially women, who continue to struggle for autonomy and rights - so I truly appreciate the space and freedom Czechia offers. It’s something I would like for my country, too.

How difficult was it to find a job?

It took me about two and a half months. Most positions required Czech language skills or wanted someone self-employed. I even had one interview at a game company where they suddenly switched to Czech, even though they knew I wouldn’t understand.

But then I interviewed at SAP, and I immediately felt it was the right place. It didn’t feel like a typical interview – they were friendly, professional, and open to new ideas. They’ve given me space to be creative, which I really appreciate.

And what do you do?

I work at SAP, a global software company that provides systems to help businesses manage things like finance, HR and customer relationships. My role is focused on payroll systems for the UK. I design solutions and make sure every legal change is correctly implemented.

What do you do outside of your job?

I run a UX community in Brno. There was already a group called UX Associates in Czechia, but Brno events weren’t happening regularly, so I reached out to the coordinator and offered to help.

We began with monthly UX dinners, and as the group grew – from 8 to 18 people – we moved to hosting meetups in company venues. That way, companies can invite speakers and get visibility, and we get more space and support. Our next event is on April 1st at Kentico, and we already have 40 people registered. It’s open to everyone - whether you're a beginner, senior, or just curious about UX. It’s a great way for juniors to learn, network, and see how others work in the field.