Meet Dejan Urbanek | College swimmer at CMU

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dejan Urbanek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dejan, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
My name is Dejan and I am international student-athlete here at CMU. I came here to study computer science and to achieve my dream of competing in collegiate swimming. I was on national junior team back home for 4 years. I graduated as valedictorian of class 2020 and my other biggest achievement outside of the classroom is making semifinals on European Junior Championship in 2019 in 200fly. I come from Serbia which is small country in South-eastern Europe and back home I was always thought to fight for myself and I don’t take anything for granted. It helped me realize that I have to work hard and to use every resource available in order to achieve my goals.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My story is pretty simple. I was born in a small country and I always had a dream of coming in US to study and achieve my academic and athletic goals. Waking up early everyday and driving with two busses to practice, then going to school and spending majority of the day there and just when you think it is over, there is one more evening practice. It was hard but I was dedicated and I knew why I am doing all of that. At the end it paid off but the road was not easy.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I live in Grand Junction now, which is near the border with Utah, I would show him both states and they have so much to give and see. First I would for sure like to take my friend to Salt Flats. I was amazed by that place and driving there is very fun. Next I would take them to Arches and Canyonlands national parks which have amazing views and hikes. Lastly I would like to take my friend to see one of the baseball games in Denver since baseball is not a big sport in Serbia, but I bet they would be amazed by the size and atmosphere on the stadium.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel like if I was about to name every person who helped me come here in US and become who I am I would probably miss somebody, but many people had an impact on me from my coaches and friends and of course the biggest one was family. All people surrounding me were supportive even when the time were tough and I would not be who I am without them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanek_dejan/