Luca Hughes Joshi begins a new series with an interview with Marija Hujlak, John’s Residential Business Manager. Discover Marija’s passion for flying, paddleboarding and all things John’s in this must-read interview!
Give us a quick explanation of your role in John’s:
Ah it’d be impossible to give you one quickly! My role is fairly complex – I manage all residential services and commercial activities. What does this include? For residential services this involves dealing with the accommodation strategy, contracts for all students, for all Cranmer Hall students, and for the outside properties. This process is pretty lengthy as it includes returners and new students’ accommodation so it’s basically year-round. And then of course we currently work on preparation of commercial activities that will happen during the summer whilst students aren’t here. We already have a number of conferences booked at John’s; and we operate as a bed and breakfast in summer using Cruddas and Garth. Apart from that I am also the coordinator of all the operational teams in John’s. So my schedule is always full!
Right, now that’s out of the way let’s get onto some of the lighter questions:
So, cats or dogs?
Dogs; always dogs
Tea or coffee?
Definitely coffee
Favourite author and/or book?
Khaled Hosseini – an Afghan author who has written 3 books which I’d all highly recommend. Another author whose books are definitely worth a read is Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I believe we have her novels in our library for anyone who wants to check them out – they truly are masterpieces.
Favourite TV series?
Young Sheldon – very bingeable!
Best thing about John’s
John’s is wonderfully complex. When I first started here somebody told me “You’ll need at least 6 months to fully understand who-is-who in the college”.
Seconded – I arrived here in September and I still feel slightly baffled in that regard!
But the true beauty of John’s is the mix of people you get here. At dinner, for example, you’ll see Cranmer students with kids and highchairs, you’ll see undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, visiting fellows, ordinands, teaching staff and college staff. It’s that blend of different groups of people from all walks of life that is just mind-blowing – you don’t get that at any other college.
It’s that blend of different groups of people from all walks of life that is just mind blowing – you don’t get that at any other college.
Favourite spot in Durham?
Wharton Park – for anyone who doesn’t know where that is, it is on North Road adjacent to Rushford Court. There is a picnic area at the top which has an incredible view of the cathedral and castle – well worth a visit!
And for anyone who still doesn’t know where the park is – it’s next to the Domino’s. I assume we’ve all been there!
Best spot in John’s?
Linton Gardens if the weather’s not playing up, or if it is, then the Tristam Room
Durham’s best café?
Vennel’s.
Agreed. Bit of a hidden gem and you don’t normally have to queue outside like do at Flat White.
Tell us something people don’t know about you:
I kayak but I think everyone knows that! (visit Marija’s office and you’ll see a fair few photos on her noticeboard to show her true passion for it)
So I do whitewater kayaking, I’ve just started canoeing, and also do whitewater paddle boarding. The paddle boarding I do long distance – up to ten kilometres! I am now training to be a leader and then coach in it – hopefully I’ll have the qualification by the autumn. Throughout the year (even in the winter) you’ll see me up and down the river, and if you were to go to my house, you’d see there are five boats on the rack outside!
Quite a deep question next up – where are you happiest?
In a plane.
Is that right? Are you a big flyer?
Put me on a plane and I don’t care how long the flight lasts. I am doing a trip following Friday (a report in John’s Chronicle may follow) that involves two back-to-back eight-hour flights with only a two hour break in between, and then another the following day. I am meeting some friends (all Durham alumni) In Manila, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur so it will be an intense two weeks!
But to go back to the question, put me on a plane – anywhere – and I’ll be the happiest person. And the second best place is obviously on the water – flat water, lake, sea – it doesn’t matter.
So you like being in the air and being in the water, are you not as much of a fan of being on land?
Well, I can walk! For miles if needed, especially along the coast.
And finally, is there any advice you would give to someone perhaps just starting out here at Durham?
I came here to what is now Ustinov College in the early 2000s as an international student from Croatia. The issue for international students is that they don’t know this part of the world particularly well, so they don’t realise that there is far more to see in County Durham than just Durham City. The same can be said for non-international students as well – don’t just spend your time in Durham city, go and broaden your horizons by exploring the Northeast.
Within a 15-mile radius of Durham, there is always something special to see or do.
Within a 15-mile radius of Durham, there is always something special to see or do. From Barnard Castle, Low Force and High Force waterfalls on the River Tees, to the coastline and beach down at Seaham – take a Saturday or Sunday away from studying and go and visit these places. We have North Pennines (AONB) and two national parks in vicinity. Hamsterley Forest is a must visit if you like walking, running or cycling.
Thank you very much for being willing to be interviewed by The Chronicle, Marija. Do look out for our next interview with another member of college staff, which should be released on our website sometime in the near future.
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