From the first school performances in Podgorica to studying economics at one of the most prestigious universities in Europe, Elena Djukanovic was building a path that led through discipline, international education, and a willingness to step outside the familiar framework.
After completing her primary school education at the “Radojica Perović” and beginning her secondary education at the “Slobodan Škerović” Gymnasium, she continued her education at the San Patricio International School in Toledo, where she received a scholarship for academic excellence. Today, she is studying economics at UCL in London, with a scholarship from the Montenegrin Excellence Fund, and in an interview with “Vijesti”, she talks about how these experiences shaped her, what attracted her to the British education system and why she believes that the most valuable contribution can be made precisely in the Balkan-abroad relationship.
“I attended the 'Radojica Perović' Elementary School, and I completed the first two years of high school at the 'Slobodan Škerović' Gymnasium. From an early age, I was interested in various areas - from drawing and recitation to mathematics and English. In elementary school, I was often the host of school events, which helped me develop self-confidence and a penchant for public speaking.”
Knowledge, responsibility and maturation
He remembers the period spent at the "Slobodan Škerović" Gymnasium as a time of intense personal and academic development.
"In addition to friendships that I believe will last a lifetime, it was there that I developed the work habits, discipline, and perseverance that such an educational system rightly demands of its students. That combination of knowledge, responsibility, and maturation was extremely important for my future journey."
It was this experience that largely prepared Elena to continue her education at the San Patricio International School in Toledo, where she received a scholarship for academic excellence.
"The two years spent in Spain were crucial for my decision to enroll in economics, which I fell in love with through the IB program. I would especially like to single out the economics and business professor, Bernard McKevitt", whose dedication, modern approach to teaching, and sincere support strongly influenced the development of my interest in this field."
The idea and desire to study outside of Montenegro emerged in her elementary school days.
"I remember hearing from a friend for the first time that enrolling in a bilingual class could open up more opportunities for scholarships and continuing my education outside of Montenegro. Although it seemed like a distant idea to me at the time, it was then that I first became aware that international education could become part of my path."
Later, this idea became more and more concrete.
“I was attracted by the opportunity to study in a different academic environment, to meet people from different cultures and to test myself outside the familiar framework. Studying in Spain was filled with numerous challenges, but at the same time it was encouraging when, looking back, I realized how much that experience broadened my horizons, strengthened my independence and encouraged my personal development. At that time, I was already sure that I wanted to continue my studies abroad, at a university that would provide me with an even greater academic challenge and a new international experience.”
For Elena, studying in London was not a concrete plan or a pre-determined destination for a long time.
“Today, I look at my departure there as a kind of destiny, because the combination of circumstances, experiences, and people I met along the way gradually guided my decisions towards ultimately applying to study in London. As someone who likes to plan a lot in advance, that decision sometimes reminds me that it’s good, at least sometimes, to let life take its course. It’s only when I look back that I see how naturally that path actually led to that decision.”
The United Kingdom attracted Elena because it is “definitely home to the best economics departments in Europe.”
"Universities like Oxford and Cambridge, the London School of Economics, UCL and Warwick have long set the standard in this field and are regularly ranked very highly in various university rankings, so applying to study there was driven by the desire to try my hand at such a demanding academic environment."
Elena says that her first impressions upon arriving in London were marked primarily by the speed of the city, which was a complete contrast to the calmer rhythm of Toledo and Spain.
“London gives the impression of a place that is constantly on the move, a city where everyone is in a hurry somewhere and everyone seems to have a clear goal. When my family and friends asked me how I would describe it in one sentence, I would often say that it is a city of great ambitions. I was particularly fascinated by the blend of different eras that can be seen at every turn. Victorian architecture naturally intertwines with contemporary glass buildings and modern urban spaces, which gives London a special character. No less impressive is the UCL University itself, located in the very heart of London. The historic Wilkins Building, which carries the recognizable identity of the university, stands out in particular, as does the much more modern Student Center, designed as a space for students to work and socialize. Among my favorite places on campus is certainly the Japanese Garden, which provides peace and respite in the midst of the dynamic university environment.”
Eleni Đukanović's average workday usually starts early in the morning.
"I usually walk to college, which takes about thirty minutes, and I enjoy that morning walk because it gives me time to wake up and prepare for the upcoming responsibilities. The English study system is such that students are expected to work much more independently, so before lectures we often have several videos or online content to watch and listen to. That's why economics students usually have no more than four to five hours of classes a day during the week, and some days only an hour."
It also happens that the exercises are organized in completely different places around the campus, and since the schedule changes every trimester, there is almost always a new space that Elena has just discovered. It is interesting, she says, that even after two years of studying, she still manages to find a new place to study.
“After lectures, I usually go to the main library ('Main Library'), which has that special, slightly academic and old-fashioned atmosphere, almost like something out of a movie. It is located on the main Bloomsbury campus, inside the famous Wilkins building, so the space itself is very inspiring to work in. I find it particularly interesting that part of the movie 'Inception' was filmed right inside this library, in the Gustav Tuck Lecture Theatre, which gives the place an extra special touch.”
Interactive lectures
During breaks, Elena and her friends often go to Gordon Square Park, which is right nearby and is a nice place to take a break between duties.
"When we study late, a big advantage is that the student center, which is almost connected to the main library, is open 24/7, so we always have a place where we can stay and finish everything we need to."
Some more general economics modules can have up to 1.000 students in lectures, and lectures in Logan Hall, the largest amphitheatre at UCL, are particularly noteworthy.
“Although one might think that such a large number of students creates distance, in practice it is often the opposite. By making lectures interactive, this large number of students also has its advantages. For example, when we were working on the material from game theory, the entire amphitheater participated in a strategic ‘public good game’, in order to compare the actual results of the game with the theoretical expectations of the equilibrium. Such moments, in addition to the dynamism they bring to the lectures, emphasize economics as a science that provides a practical and flexible framework for understanding the real world.”
Professors at UCL's Department of Economics, according to Elena Đukanović, are extremely dedicated, both as researchers and lecturers, in very diverse areas of economics.
“The professors come from different parts of the world, which was particularly surprising to me and which, in my opinion, further contributes to UCL's identity as one of the most global universities. Among my favorite lecturers, I would definitely single out the mathematics professor Franka Wittea and the professor Wendy Carlin. Wendy Carlin's lectures were truly a fantastic experience. She is one of the founders of the CORE Econ curriculum, an open resource for undergraduate economics studies that we use at UCL during the first year, which presents economics in an innovative way, encouraging the understanding of mathematical models in their real economic context. On the other hand, Professor Frank Witte's Mathematics for Economists course is based on the idea of expanding our quantitative 'toolkit', which is why this module is an extremely good preparation for more demanding subjects in the following years of study. It is precisely thanks to this mathematical foundation that economics students have the opportunity to choose significantly more demanding modules from the departments of statistics, mathematics and natural sciences, which are very popular among students.
Montenegrin Students' Organization
Elena socializes with people from Montenegro and the wider Balkans, as well as with friends from abroad whom she met during her studies in London, as well as previously in Spain. She considers the fact that one naturally builds friendships with people from very different backgrounds, while maintaining closeness with people from our region, to be one of the greatest advantages of international experience.
“When it comes to Balkan society, we often gather through Balkan student organizations, but also with people I met through OCSI, the organization of Montenegrin students abroad. On the other hand, my society from abroad is equally diverse. Whether it's friends from Spain or London, there's almost always at least someone from Russia or China in my circle. We also often go out to Phineas Bar and Institute Bar at UCL, which are among the favorite places for students to socialize. It's this mix of different languages, cultures, and worldviews that makes socializing especially interesting and enriching.”
Finally, Elena Đukanović points out that her studies may have changed her the most in that they made her more confident in herself, but at the same time more open to uncertainty.
"Coming from a small country to a highly international and demanding environment taught me to trust my work, but also that not every step in life has to be planned in advance. It is precisely such experiences that have brought me greater flexibility and openness to change, as well as a willingness to take risks more often. By meeting people from different cultures, I have become more aware of how much a broader perspective changes a person, but also how much moving away from a familiar environment can teach us to view previous experiences from a new, more mature perspective."
Exams at the end of the academic year
In England, Elena explains, most exams are taken at the end of the academic year and cover material from the beginning of September, which makes the exam period quite intense.
“Each student gets a seat number, a unique candidate number and a color, so the whole process seems very organized, but also a bit stressful, especially in the first year when it all seemed quite complicated to me. Interestingly, they even put up a sign at the entrance to the exam hall that humorously compares the exam period to the Squid Game series, which best reflects how students experience that atmosphere.”
Between the Balkans and abroad
Past experiences have taught Elena, as she says, that the future is often much more uncertain than we imagine, which is why she views her plans today with more openness than before.
“When I think about my professional path, I am particularly attracted to opportunities that would allow me to work on the Balkan-abroad relationship, because I believe that it is precisely at that junction that the most valuable experiences can be gained and the greatest contribution can be made. It seems to me that there will be more and more such opportunities, especially with Montenegro's further approach to the European Union and, I believe, its future membership. I would like, after gaining enough experience abroad, to one day return to my Montenegro and contribute to its further connection and integration into the European space. I see this return not only as a personal desire, but also as an opportunity for the knowledge and experience gained abroad to one day gain full meaning right here.”
What is UCL?
University College London (UCL) was founded in 1826 and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and the world. It is based in London, and the university today brings together more than 51.000 students from more than 150 countries. In the academic year 2024/25, it had 51.793 students, of which 25.583 were on undergraduate studies, 20.060 on master's studies and 6.150 on doctoral studies.
UCL operates through 11 faculties and is among the leading British and European higher education institutions. According to the QS World University Rankings 2026, it ranked 9th in the world, while the university's official data also states that it is second in the United Kingdom in terms of research strength according to REF 2021.
The university is also known for its strong international character: according to official figures, 52 percent of students come from abroad. UCL also highlights its historical role as an institution that has been open to students regardless of religious affiliation since its founding, which has made it a special place in the development of higher education in Britain.
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