IVANA MOČEVIĆ BREAKS BORDERS WITH KNOWLEDGE

From Prague to Vienna, through Angers and Shanghai, young Banja Luka native Ivana Močević travels the world in search of knowledge and new experiences — refusing to give up even when success seemed out of reach.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

Currently a first-year master’s student at the Czech University of Life Sciences, Ivana told Glas Srpske that one of the most important steps in her academic journey came on the recommendation of her professors from the Faculty of Agriculture in Banja Luka, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in horticulture.

“They recommended the Erasmus Mundus program, one of the rare European scholarships that covers all tuition and living expenses. The application process was exhausting and expensive, but I’m now attending the first year of the Danube AgriFood Master in Prague. After completing my studies, I’ll receive a double diploma, as I’ll spend my second year at the University of Vienna,” Močević explained.

She says she enjoys living in Prague because it’s a city “for everyone,” full of opportunities and cultural life, and she finds it a relief that almost everyone speaks English.

“The study approach is different — education abroad focuses more on practical work. We write many projects and papers instead of memorizing information like we often do in our region. My program also requires an internship during the summer,” she added.

But the Czech Republic is only one stop on Ivana’s global education journey — she has already studied and conducted research in China, France, and the United States.

“In China, I spent six weeks at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. I was fascinated by their technological advancement. My research focused on how sap flow in plants is connected to climate and soil conditions, as well as on assessing landslide risks,” she said.

The program also encouraged cultural exchange, offering both organized and self-planned trips.

“Once, a mother with four daughters in a park asked to take photos with me — individually with each child! People often stared, not out of malice but out of curiosity. I still laugh remembering how one little girl got scared and started crying,” Ivana recalled.

During her final undergraduate year, she spent a semester abroad in Angers, France, an experience she calls her most transformative.

“Those six months helped me step out of my comfort zone, gain confidence, and become more outgoing. My favorite memories are from our trip to Étretat and visiting the Palace of Versailles, where I formed close friendships with other students,” she said.

Her first real culture shock came in high school when she spent a month in the United States.

“It was unbelievable to me that people there walk around their homes with their shoes on,” she laughed.

She also pointed out that language barriers can sometimes be a blessing.

“Not understanding people’s conversations lets you relax and stay in your own world. But it’s difficult when you need to communicate and can’t. In France, I had problems in a bank because no one spoke English, so I had to rely on friends. Luckily, that wasn’t an issue in China — they use so much technology that you can order in cafés and restaurants just by scanning codes, and menus are automatically translated,” Ivana explained.

Many foreigners she met had little to no idea where Bosnia and Herzegovina was located, and those who did were surprised by its complex political divisions.

“I’d love to stay in Europe but also spend a few years in Asia. There aren’t enough opportunities for young people in our region, and progress is slow. My travels have shown me how many doors the world has opened for me,” she said.

Ivana credits her family and friends, especially her younger sister in Sweden, as her greatest support system.

“I often fly to Sweden just to visit her,” she shared warmly.

To other young people dreaming of international study, she offers simple but powerful advice:

“Don’t give up — every effort pays off, and every step outside your comfort zone leads to something great. I almost backed out of my internship in China out of fear, but I knew I’d regret not going. In the end, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life,” Močević concluded, hoping her journey will inspire others to chase their own dreams across borders.