Ive been told that I have a very active mind, full of many topics and seeking answers to

many questions. Why do we need sleep? Why do we dream? How can we make
environmental changes? What place does humanity have in this world? These are only
some of the questions I would like to have answered with the help of the liberal arts &
sciences programme; the impeccable combination of social sciences, sciences and
humanities. This is why I wish to study at UCM.
Before I found this programme, I was a bit unsettled. I did not want to major exclusively
in psychology, literature or science because I never wanted to limit myself to just one of
these areas. I discovered my aspiration in life is to enhance solidarity and responsibility
in the society through social change. I learned this by contributing to the community
through volunteer engagement. A degree in this area does not exist. This is why the
liberal arts & sciences is the right choice for me. I can gain broad knowledge in social
sciences, sciences and humanities, fields I am really passionate about. Going forward, I
can apply this broad knowledge to whatever career I choose. The biggest advantage of
this course is that you do not have to give up anything you love and you might discover
new things you enjoy too!
I think the quality of studies should be the determining factor when choosing where to
study. UCM meets that criterion without a doubt. It appealed to me because it is a
modern institution with a focus on innovation. It first caught my attention when I read
that it is a leading European university with an intercultural orientation. The more I
researched, the more I became fascinated by its advanced research and teaching
techniques.
Unfortunately, in Montenegro, there is no liberal university culture. Therefore, I am
seeking an institution with a high-quality education and intellectual independence so I
may take initiative freely. I have chosen UCM because it meets those standards. I
specifically like that one of the goals of UCM is educating future leaders. With this kind
of attitude, UCM can only attract highly ambitious and motivated students; it also has a
lot to offer in return.
I am now studying law. While I enjoy the subject, I do not feel it is broad enough to
encompass my true passion, the pursuit for justice. Now that I have found the ideal
choice, I can focus on the subjects I am truly passionate about and in which I have a
solid foundation. I am fascinated by the human mind, behaviors and relationships.
Consequently, psychology is my favorite subject. During a high school exchange year in
the United States, I studied advanced placement Environmental Science which
completely widened my understanding of current ecological problems. By studying
philosophy during my senior year of high school, I further explored notions of humans
existence and meaning. I dearly enjoyed all of these classes. I enjoy studying history
and English, and I am very passionate about literature. It has been my first love from
elementary school. I am a huge fan of books. As I matured, I stepped back from science
fiction and devoted myself to books like Emotional Intelligence and Thus Spoke
Zarathustra, as much as the school reading allowed me to. But, in order to reach my

desired knowledge level in these areas, it is necessary that I have skilled professors
and a proper education. I recognized these values in UCM.
Besides excellence in high school, I have much experience and success outside of the
classroom as well. My journey started when I won a scholarship from the US
Department of State for American-Serbian and Montenegrin Youth Leadership
Exchange (A-SMYLE). During my studies at Herbert Hoover High School in Des
Moines, Iowa, I gained significant teamwork abilities and became comfortable in an
intercultural surrounding. All scholars had numerous activities scheduled throughout the
year: fundraising, volunteering, community service, giving presentations about their
home country and leadership club involvement. A variety of contests were available for
all scholars, and I won a place in Civic Education Week that took place in Washington
D.C. During CEW, I was one of 100 fellow participants selected from nearly 1000
exchange students eligible in the YES/ASMYLE exchange programs. Civic Education
Week gave basic instruction in leadership, volunteerism and civic engagement. In
addition, the participants widened their horizons and learned to appreciate a
multicultural perspective. With all these activities I developed as a leader and left
determined to make a difference in my community. When I returned to Montenegro, I
became an active volunteer in two non-governmental organizations: Montenegrin
American Youth Alumni Association (MAYAA) and Association for Democratic Prosperity
(ADP)-Zid. Today, I have a part-time job as a volunteer coordinator in ADP-Zid. As a
result, I advanced my leadership skills significantly. I held several trainings on
volunteerism, and I organized and participated in several performances, work actions
and international work camps. I learned about the significance of motivation and
initiative. My engagement in this organization helped define who I want to become in
life. I intend to deepen my experience by learning from the best in college.
My expectation of a college education is that a high level of empirical knowledge will
empower me to fully understand myself and the world around me. I also expect an
eventful calendar for students who want to learn outside of the curriculum. I want to
further develop my critical thinking, the only weapon that enables people to understand
and fight against the injustices done around them. I hope to gain a solid base of
knowledge for further specialization after graduation. In my career, I want to contribute
to the community through a creative job that I will be able to obtain with a college
education. The more knowledge you have, the more open-minded you are and are
more likely to reach your goals. Finally, I expect to convey the knowledge I gain to
future generations.
When I graduate, I am going to pursue a masters degree. The fields I am most
passionate about are psychology and literature, but I have a long way ahead of me to
make the right decision. Afterwards, I want to go back to Montenegro and implement my
plan to enhance responsibility and solidarity in my society. I have not yet determined
whether I will establish a civil society organization or work somewhere else; this is
something I will define through my studies at the university. Regardless, I wish to absorb
the best experiences from UCM and apply them in Montenegro to make it a better
place.

The best advice I have ever received is that happiness is a choice. Accordingly, it is
something we work hard to achieve. By choosing the liberal arts & sciences, I am
selecting a programme that will fulfill my desires and best prepare me to live my dream
of possessing broad knowledge that I can use to advocate for social justice and civil
rights in practice.