Maja Vujović-Ranger, a psychiatrist at St. Mary's Hospital and a lecturer at Imperial College in London is an example that when successful and accomplished people talk about themselves, they are usually modest.
He has been living in London for 22 years. She completed primary and secondary school in Nikšić, and the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade.
When asked where she came from in London, Maja tells "Život" that it was a big coincidence.
"When I finished college, I couldn't get a job. It was the end of the 80s, the beginning of the 90s. Back then, doctors were employed in bookstores, cafes, and boutiques. I wanted to change something".
She says that she went to London to study English.
"I studied Russian in high school. I didn't know English. I went to London alone, on purpose, to learn the language. Then I realized that I can get a job as a doctor".
About why psychiatry, she says that she belongs to the generation that grew up on Russian classics.
"I especially have to single out Dostoyevsky, who is also a psychologist. The considerations of the hidden corners of the human mind and thoughts, which he describes, were fantastically interesting to me. I started to think in that direction and to like it".
"Psychiatry is actually a fusion of science and art. Both one and the other. It's not just science. It is not possible to determine whether someone is sick with tests and head scans alone. It takes a special kind of expertise to do that”
"In college, psychiatry was the only department that was quite intellectual."
He remembers that the students were pleasantly surprised, as they were allowed to drink coffee while listening to lectures in the amphitheater.
"Psychiatry is actually a fusion of science and art. Both one and the other. It's not just science. It is not possible to determine whether someone is sick with tests and head scans alone. It takes a special kind of expertise to do that”.
About the advantages and disadvantages of living abroad, she says that when she left, more than 20 years ago, the situation was different.
The standard is what I can do with my time, not the amount of money I earn
"The whole English society was much more free then. Today I feel freer in Montenegro, but I feel more protected in England. The standard is much higher, if the standard is material status, but as you get older, you are no longer motivated by that alone," says Maja, noting that for her, the standard is what she can do with her time, not the amount of money she earns.
"I work so much that I constantly lack time. That is the biggest disadvantage that exists abroad".
In addition, Maja says that she misses "real Montenegrin socializing" more and more.
"I have a lot of English friends with whom I get along great, but I miss real socializing, which is not here".
When asked if he considers himself a successful person, he answers: "I don't consider myself particularly successful, I still think I'm an average person, the circumstances were that I went abroad, that I got my diploma certified." It's nothing special".
About what constitutes success for her, she says that success is being satisfied with what you have achieved.
"For me, success is when a person is happy, satisfied with himself, satisfied with what he does, finds peace, accepts his flaws and shortcomings and tries to become a better person, analyzes his actions and tries to be a better person every day and helps others as much as he can”.
He emphasizes that success is the integration of personal and professional.
"For me, success is when a person is happy, satisfied with himself, satisfied with what he does, finds peace, accepts his flaws and shortcomings and tries to become a better person, analyzes his actions and tries to be a better person every day and helps others as much as he can"
Maja says that if she decided to do anything else, it would be important for her to do the most honest and the best she can.
"It doesn't have to be the best, but I have to do it the best I can".
Young people should feel abroad
When it comes to education, Maja believes that state primary and secondary schools are much better.
"In England there are elite private schools that are expensive and great, but in general education is better in Montenegro".
He states that Montenegro is small and the society is more friendly towards children.
"It seems to me through my friends that it is simpler and that children have much more opportunities for development. Parents work less time than parents in England and the distances are not so great".
On the other hand, she says that every young man should go and live abroad for a while.
"Now that they canceled our visas, all young people can leave. I think it is very important for the future of Montenegro. They should get to know other cultures and other ways of life. They should learn to look at things from different perspectives and angles."
Psychiatry in the Balkans
Asked to compare psychiatry in England and Montenegro, she says that it is not just a comparison of psychiatrists, but a comparison of the entire healthcare system in one country.
"Of course, England is much richer and has a tradition of civil institutions that also includes the health system. Their health system is very organized, of course it is not ideal, but unfortunately I have to say that it is much better organized than the Montenegrin one".
He points out that in recent years it has been seen and felt that the healthcare system in Montenegro is being reorganized. Comparing psychiatry in England and Montenegro, he points out that Montenegro, like all Balkan countries, lags behind England, because they are based on hospital treatment.
"There are hospitals in Montenegro where patients are treated. In the developed world, large hospitals began to be abolished in the 50s".
The story is that the patients began to be discharged and organized to live in society.
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