They only remember us when we're gone: Marko Vulević, a postgraduate student studying in Cologne, on returning to Montenegro

If Montenegro wants its children to return, it must stop remembering them only after they have left. It needs clear return programs, transparent employment opportunities, easier recognition of diplomas and institutions that will show young people where they can contribute, he says. Marko Vulević, a master's student in political science at the University of Cologne and a scholarship holder of the Excellence Fund.

Marko began his education in Andrijevica, where he achieved exceptional results. He graduated from elementary school with the title of best student of his generation, while he graduated from high school in Berane with the highest honors, as the holder of the “Luča 1” diploma. Shortly after, he decided to enroll in political science studies at the University of Montenegro, where he excelled, becoming the only student with an average of 10 in his generation.

His choice surprised many.

"I, a child with all A's, a participant in numerous state competitions and Olympiads in chemistry and biology, was expected to take the path of natural sciences. But I decided to take a risk. I decided to be brave. I enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Montenegro and I have never regretted it."

Despite all his academic successes, Marko was not spared challenges while growing up, and the most difficult periods were those when he had to deal with peer violence, which, he says, shaped him as a person.

"I learned early on to fight and never give up, no matter the obstacles I had to overcome. It was a growth process that greatly shaped my outlook on life."

Although he had already had success in Montenegro, Marko wanted to try new challenges beyond the borders of his country. The decision to continue his studies abroad was not made lightly. For him, Germany, with its culture, language and way of life, was the ideal destination.

"I didn't leave because I stopped loving my homeland. I left because I wanted to learn more and become better, so that one day I could contribute to my Montenegro."

"I wanted to try somewhere else. Somewhere where it would be much more difficult for me. Somewhere where I wouldn't have the advantage of a familiar system, language, and environment. Studying in a foreign language, in a different academic setting, with literature and an approach that are more adapted to European and Western academic merit, represented a great challenge for me, but it is precisely such challenges that shape a person the most."

Cologne is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany and Europe, known for its academic quality.

"My first impressions, when I came to Cologne, were very intense and, honestly, at first I was scared. Suddenly I found myself alone in a city of millions, in a completely new environment, among people I didn't know, in a culture that was different from mine and in a language that wasn't my native language. I was afraid of everything: that I wouldn't be able to cope, that I wouldn't understand the system, that I wouldn't succeed in the lectures and that other students might be much more prepared, educated and confident than me, the so-called imposter syndrome."

Marko was aware that studying at this university represented a great opportunity, not only because of the quality of education, but also because of the international environment that would shape him.

"The University of Cologne was much more than an opportunity to earn a degree for me. It was an opportunity to become part of the European academic tradition and to learn from the best."

Marko quickly realized that he would face many challenges.

"Being in a new environment, a new language, new people, it was all a huge change. But Cologne became my second home."

With initial fears and insecurities, he soon found strength in new experiences and friends, who helped him find his way in this large German city.

Marko Vulević's average working day in Cologne was quite intense and full of obligations. He usually started his morning by taking the train from his dormitory to the university. Since lectures were held in different university buildings, he often had to carefully plan his time and check where he needed to go.

“I had lectures and exercises six out of seven days a week, so university took up most of my time. On average, lectures lasted about two and a half to three hours, but there were some that lasted four or even five hours. It required a lot of concentration, especially since the classes were in a foreign language.”

Studying, says Marko, did not only involve reading literature, but also analyzing texts, writing academic papers, preparing presentations, and connecting theory with practical examples. That's why he often studied after lectures, especially during periods when deadlines or exams were approaching.

“Exams are usually taken in February and July, at the end of the winter and summer semesters. The system is very precisely organized: deadlines, literature, rules and expectations are known in advance. What was most stressful for me was the rigidity of the German system: if a student fails the same exam twice, he or she may lose the right to continue studying in that program. That is why every exam is taken seriously. There is not much room for the “I’ll pass it and whatever happens” approach. That is why every exam that is passed brings a huge sense of achievement.”

Marko has clearly directed his plans towards returning to Montenegro, in order to contribute to its development.

"I believe that no matter how much a person travels, studies and improves his skills abroad, he always somehow returns to the place from which he came. As Njegoš would say: 'Where the grain sprouted, there it will bear fruit'. Montenegro is the home to which I belong and where I would like to build my life after my studies. For me, abroad can be a place of education, experience and personal growth, but not a permanent substitute for what I feel towards my country."

He, however, warns that the return of young people should not depend solely on their love for Montenegro.

"Love is not enough if dignity, work, fair competitions and the feeling that someone really needs their knowledge are not waiting for them at home. Young people who return are not looking for a gift, but an equal chance to bring what they have learned in the world back to the country from which they originated. If Montenegro wants its children to return, it must stop remembering them only after they have left. Clear return programs are needed, transparent employment opportunities, easier recognition of diplomas and institutions that will show young people where they can contribute. Return must not be understood as a step backwards, but as an act of responsibility, belonging and hope. The state must ensure that a young person, when he or she returns, does not feel like a stranger in his or her own country, but as someone who is awaited, needed and valuable."

University of Cologne

The University of Cologne, founded in 1388, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany and Europe. Over more than six centuries of existence, it has built a strong academic reputation and attracts students from all over the world, with a strong focus on research and an interdisciplinary approach to education.

With more than 50.000 students, including a significant number of international students, the University of Cologne is one of the largest and most dynamic universities in Germany. It offers a wide range of study programs at undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels in the social and natural sciences, law, medicine, economics, the arts and many other disciplines.

The University of Cologne is also recognized in international rankings: according to the Shanghai Ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities), which is considered one of the most prestigious global rankings, the University is ranked in the group of 151–200 best-ranked universities in the world, confirming its importance in the global academic environment.

It is more than an academic institution - it is a center that has shaped numerous prominent figures in the world of science, politics, art and culture over the centuries. Many of its students and professors have become leaders and pioneers in their fields, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and a key figure in the formation of the European Union, studied at the University of Cologne, and his political influence shaped European and global politics throughout the 20th century.

Max Ernst, one of the most famous German artists and pioneers in the field of abstract and surrealist painting, as well as Peter Handke, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, were also educated at this higher education institution.

"A monkey was once a man"

Aside from his education, Marko has dreamed since childhood of one day becoming a “recognized writer.” He is the author of two poetry collections and one novella, which have found their way to a younger audience in Montenegro. “Memory Balm” is the first feminist novella written by a man in Montenegro.

"In a few months, my novel 'Ape Was Once a Man' will be published, a book about a society in which nodding has become commonplace, and the cognitive difference between ape and man is shrinking. Perhaps, at the end of the day, apes as an animal species are more advanced than us humans in some ways; because what humans often do to themselves and others, no other highly developed species does."