IAC: EducationUSA Serbia: Profiles in Success

Profiles in

Success

Academic and Professional Excellence

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Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny.

—Aristotle

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Dear Readers, Welcome to the first edition of Profiles in Success, a journal that highlights the outstanding higher education achievements of citizens of Serbia who have studied at U.S. colleges and universities. As IAC enters a new academic year, we have decided to present the profiles of ten of our mid-career alumni — some of whom have returned to live and work in Serbia, and others who are engaged with international institutions through which they interact with people all over the world. International education carries a premium value in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Serbia, and seeking higher education in lands near and far has long been a Serbian tradition.

Each year when successful students from Serbia receive admission letters and prepare for their international higher education experience, we have the honor of celebrating with these successful students. We receive a great many gracious thank yous, to which we always offer our standard response, “We could not have done it without you!”

Of course it’s true that there are a great many people involved in our students’ success stories: parents, teachers, coaches, and others who play strong supporting roles in shaping these young lives. But just as central to the achievements of all those who pass through the doors of this office and on to greater opportunities has been the support provided by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department. Without their unflagging aid, the many EducationUSA services that we are able to offer at no cost to students and young professionals seeking U.S. higher education would not be available.

Please do enjoy this booklet and read the inspiring stories within. At the same time, keep in mind that over the course of our two decades of work here in Serbia, we have had the pleasure of working with many other successful students. This is just the first edition, and we look forward to calling your attention to many more triumphs in the coming issues!

As always, warm regards and best wishes for your academic future,

Elizabeth A. Chung Executive Director

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Profiles in Success he United States continues to be the premiere destination for students seeking higher education abroad. Why is this the case? A U.S. degree indicates that you have studied in one of the best educational systems in the world. It shows that you have received comprehensive instruction in the most up-to-date facilities and with the most cutting-edge technologies available. It means that you have learned the best practices and most advanced theories in your field.

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In addition to the material benefits that come from the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities afforded by a degree earned in a U.S. institution, a U.S. degree says something about you as a person. It says that you have the positive and problem-solving attitude that is required to study abroad, and speaks to your ability to adapt within new cultural and linguistic contexts. It says that you are a seeker who is willing to travel great distances for the sake of knowledge, and an explorer who has sought out and benefited from new perspectives.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Not to mention the development of international connections and lifelong friends you make on your journey— colleagues across the world with whom you will always share a bond!

The individuals in the pages of this booklet have risen to meet the challenges and experience the joy of having achieved the educational and professional excellence that puts them in a class all their own: one inspired by the experience of studying in The United States of America!

For more information about studying in the U.S.A. please contact: International Academic Center: EducationUSA Serbia Zdravka ÄŒelara 12-III, Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +381.11.334.9639 www.iacbg.org Email: office@iacbg.org

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Profiles in Success

Slađana Benković

From 2007 to 2008, Sladjana attended The George Washington University, affiliated with the Research Program in Social and Organizational Learning. Her stay in the USA was supported by the Junior Faculty Development Program, which was funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Her advisor at GW was Professor George Jabbour at the Department of Finance, School of Business, where she studied Advanced Financial Management.

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After returning to Belgrade, she related her newly gained experiences to the students of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences at the University of Belgrade, delivering lectures on all subjects related to financial management, budgeting and control, and public-private partnerships in the Serbian and English languages. Her stay at GW helped her recognize the importance of internationalization, the exchange of research experience, writing joint papers, and joint work on research and innovation projects in general.

The George Washington University Campus

Currently Sladjana is heavily engaged in international projects, consulting, and project financing. She is the coordinator of a regional project co-founded by the European Commission, through which Albanian and Serbian universities work together to run training sessions and implement newly developed master’s programs. Through this project, regional universities contribute to the implementation of Chapter 32 of the EU acquis, assisting regional countries in the process of approaching EU membership.

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Profiles in Success

Bogdan Gecić Photo

Bogdan serves as managing partner of Gecić Law, a top tier commercial firm based in Belgrade, and covering the Western Balkans. As one of the founding partners, Bogdan has steered the now 20-people strong firm to international prominence and recognition by leading legal publications - The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and The Lawyer European Awards. His leadership style has always included a commitment to innovation, meritocracy, and entrepreneurship with strong focus on public service and giving back to the community (including the Harvard Club of Serbia’s Award and the Taboroši Scholarship).

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Bogdan graduated from Belgrade Law School in the top 1% of his class and completed his LL.M. studies with Honors at Harvard Law School, receiving the Dean’s Scholar Prize in “Leadership in Law Firms”. He practiced at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, one of the oldest continuously operating U.S. firms, in its Brussels office. He belongs to a handful of regional practitioners that have continuously represented clients before EU institutions.

Harvard University Campus

Bogdan is recognized among the “Leading Individuals” in Competition Law in Serbia by the Legal 500, and was nominated for the prestigious DC-based global 2013 Antitrust Writing Awards.

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Profiles in Success

David Jutrša Photo

David graduated Economics with Honors, with a focus on computer science, from Grinnell College in Iowa. At Grinnell, David was the youngest to lead the Student Endowment Investment Group (now “Pioneer Capital Investments”), a club that managed a portfolio of US stocks and gave students hands-on financial experience.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Aside from working several campus jobs, David worked for the Office of Endowment, a hedge fund that manages the investments of the college. He also volunteered as part of the Grinnell Liberal Arts in Prison program, where he tutored inmates in economics and math. David gained exposure to investment banking through mergers and acquisitions on Wall Street, and then worked at the International Monetary Fund, where he focused on technologies affecting financial services (such as blockchain and machine learning) and covered various regulatory issues.

Secondary image or images: could use school logos, campus, or student-selected image(s)?

Grinnell College Campus

After his different experiences in the financial industry, David enrolled in an MBA program with Stanford Graduate School of Business in Silicon Valley. He hopes to build on the serviceoriented values of Grinnell College by helping finance work for everyone (not just the select few) through technology.

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Profiles in Success

Jelena Kaplanović Photo

Jelena is a sociology graduate from Iowa’s prairie jewel, Grinnell College. At Grinnell, Jelena had the opportunity to serve on several Student Government Association committees, work several campus jobs, and volunteer on campus and within the larger community.

Grinnell’s student self-governing principles provided Jelena with many challenging and interesting opportunities to advise and mentor her peers across many areas.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Her academic and research interests were enhanced through three Mentored Advanced Projects that allowed her to conduct sociological research including the study of Commemoration and Remembrance of the World War II Romani Genocide - a project supported by Grinnell that enabled Jelena to conduct this important research in Europe, and return to the United States to present her results.

Grinnell College Campus

Upon graduation, Jelena exercised her optional practical training (OPT) opportunity through employment as a social worker (BHIS) in the small rural town of Newton, where she was able to work hands-on within the organization, as well as learn about the inspiring and innovative funding structure and programming procedural structure.

After this wonderful experience, for which Jelena is grateful and remembers fondly, Jelena felt the call of home and returned to Belgrade. Currently, she is employed within her profession at the International Committee of Red Cross in Belgrade.

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Profiles in Success

Stefan Kondić Photo

After spending a year in Texas through the A-SMYLE exchange program, Stefan decided to continue his education in the United States. He received a scholarship to and graduated with honors from Amherst College with a 3.9 GPA, where he majored in political science and received the Five College International Relations Certificate. Stefan greatly enjoyed having a chance to take part in the many and varied opportunities Amherst provided, from being a Teaching Assistant for the World Politics course to co-chairing the Amherst MUN Club to being part of the crew team and working different campus jobs.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

He spent a semester as a Visiting Student at Columbia University, and proceeded to get his fully-funded Master’s degree in Public Affairs at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School. Princeton was a different campus experience, with many new challenges and opportunities. Some of his highlights include being a Student Fellow of the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination and speaking at OSCE conferences in Vienna and Prague, as well as being part of a policy workshop that went on an official visit to Russia and drafted a policy paper on U.S.-Russian relations vis-à-vis the Syrian war, which was then presented to the State Department and Congress.

Princeton University Campus

Stefan’s interests are diplomacy, development, and intergovernmental organizations. He has explored these issues in part by writing an honors thesis on the U.N., interning at the U.N. Resident Coordinator Office in Serbia and the Balkan Fund for Democracy, and participating in numerous international summits and events. He has decided to return to Serbia to use his knowledge and skills in his home country, and is currently serving as President of the United Nations Association of Serbia’s Advisory Board.

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Profiles in Success

Dragana Lazarovski

After finishing the School of Architecture at the University of Belgrade in 2005, Dragana made the decision to apply for a Master’s program at the School of Architecture at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her studies she began working as an Assistant Professor, which gave her financial support and new life experience.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

After finishing her Master’s program she applied to and was accepted at the well-known Chicago architecture firm Cannon Design. Dragana stayed in Chicago for another two years, during which time she worked on many great projects, such as the reconstruction of Chicago’s architectural jewel, the John Klizynski building, which was designed by the famous Mies van de Rohe.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dragana returned to Belgrade in 2011. She now works as Unit Head in one of Serbia’s most successful public enterprises, the firm “Elektromreza.” She is the proud mother of one great seven year old boy.

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Profiles in Success

Boban Marković Photo

Boban graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) with a double degree in Political Science, International Relations and Business Administration. In the course of his studies, Boban also served as a representative to the Board of Trustees and actively engaged with the local community to support youth at risk and children without parental care.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

As the first family graduate and one of the most accomplished students, he received the Presidential Medal - an honorary award for outstanding academic work, social engagement, and leadership potential. In 2009, Boban received the Volunteer Service Award from the Cabinet of President Obama. His liberal arts education allowed Boban to pursue cross-disciplinary studies, live in Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland, and the USA, and build a global network of lifelong friendships.

John Hopkin’s University Campus

After gaining experience in the hedge fund industry, he obtained a Master’s degree in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, where he taught modules in Corporate & Project Finance.

Today, Boban is an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor and Senior Analyst at the Washington D.C.- based Institute of International Finance.

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Profiles in Success

Ivan Marković Photo

Ivan graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University in Bulgaria (AUBG), where he studied Political Science, International Relations, and Business Administration. He was a member of the Phi Beta Delta honorary society and a recipient of the Presidential medal, awarded for outstanding achievements and leadership potential. During his undergraduate studies, Ivan actively promoted giving back to the community, emphasizing the importance of granting an opportunity to the most disadvantaged. Along with his brother, he supported a local library in his home town and volunteered in orphanages in Bulgaria and Ukraine.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Ivan continued his studies at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, from which he holds a Master of Public Policy degree, and American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC. While in graduate school, Ivan taught economics and focused his research interests around public financial management and fiscal consolidations.

American University Washington DC Campus

Prior to returning to Serbia to pursue a career in government advisory, Ivan gained valuable experience working at the Strategic Partnerships department of the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington DC and the Embassy of Serbia in Berlin.

Today, Ivan works with the government and state leadership in Belgrade as a consultant, focusing on government transformation and foreign policy. He is a member of the German Council of Foreign Relations.

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Profiles in Success

Maja Vukadinović Photo

Maja graduated from the Belgrade Faculty of Dramatic Arts in 1996.

She started her U.S. academic career in 2006, when she enrolled in an MA program in Media Studies at The New School University, New York, where she graduated in 2009. Since receiving her PhD at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in 2013, she has lectured at various universities in Serbia.

Maja is a media specialist, lecturer, and communications consultant.

Her primary professional background is in print journalism; she has worked as a journalist in the field of culture for more than ten years and published articles in Politika as well as many other newspapers and magazines. The experience garnered by this journalistic work is the foundation for all of Maja’s other engagements.

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Proficiency in journalism has enabled her to conduct media trainings and work with individuals and groups from diverse fields to assist them in improving public speaking and communications skills. She is particularly interested in media literacy and is engaged in various local and international projects as a trainer and educator.

The New School New York Campus

Always connecting theory with practice, she cooperates with Clio publishing house as an editor of the Multimedia edition, where she recommends book titles on media topics and presents mostly international authors to the Serbian public. She is also the author of the 2013 book Stars of Supermarket Culture, a work on celebrity culture and the media in consumer society.

With a keen interest in global media tendencies and journalism in the context of new media, Maja applies her expertise in cooperating with companies and cultural institutions as a content writer and consultant.

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Profiles in Success

Milena Zindović

Milena is an architect whose interests include urban planning and architectural design, and research on urban development. She works on various design projects, and also works as a gender equality and public participation consultant for various local and international organizations and agencies.

Milena graduated from the Belgrade Faculty of Architecture in 2007.

From 2008 to 2009 Milena attended the M.Arch II program at Cornell University, New York, with a focus on Architecture and Media.

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IAC Belgrade: EducationUSA Serbia

Working in architectural design, design and project management, and urban planning, she has participated in or led projects that range from large-scale complexes to sports arenas, military complexes, and public spaces. She is the recipient of several architectural and urban design awards. Milena is the founder of both the Women in Architecture initiative, which has been showcasing and bringing attention to women architects in Serbia since 2013, and the NGO Smart City, through which she explores contemporary approaches to sustainable urban development. She is also the editor of the award-winning book Women in Architecture | Contemporary architecture in Serbia since 1900.

Cornell University Campus

Her interests in gender equality and sustainable urban development come together in the first analysis on gender mainstreaming in urban planning and design in Serbia, which she wrote in 2017. Milena has since been working on several climate-change and sustainability projects with U.N. Women in Serbia, providing a gender perspective on topics such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, urban mobility, and waste management.

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Profiles in Success

Your Five Steps

to study in the U.S.A. Research Your Options: Learn about the variety of options available and how to identify an institution that best fits your needs.

Finance Your Studies: Need funding? Explore options or check out our university financial aid opportunity list.

Complete Your Application: Plan ahead and know the documents and requirements to apply for your program.

Apply For Your Student Visa: Become familiar with U.S. student visa requirements and allow plenty of time to prepare your application.

Prepare For Your Departure: Pre-departure information including gathering documents for arrival and immigration compliance. www.iacbg.org

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EducationUSA Serbia EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries.

The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States.

Each year, EducationUSA advisers respond to millions of inquiries from international students. Advisers offer a wide range of inperson and virtual services to students and their families based on Your 5 Steps to U.S. Study, a guide to navigating the U.S. higher education application process.

Step 1: Research Your Options Step 2: Finance Your Studies Step 3: Complete Your Application Step 4: Apply for Your Student Visa Step 5: Prepare for Your Departure Learn more at EducationUSA.state.gov