I’m from Montenegro, a tiny country tucked in the Balkan region of Europe. For most of my life, I studied in the Montenegrin system, and while I loved learning, I never quite felt like it gave me space to explore who I was. We went into so much depth on subjects I wasn’t interested in, and often it felt like I was pouring effort into something that wasn’t mine to shape. I wanted more.

My older sister had already studied abroad, first in the UK and later at NYU Abu Dhabi, so I had a glimpse of what that world could look like. I remember watching her grow into herself, surrounded by people from everywhere, and thinking I want that. When the HMC scholarship opportunity came, I applied and finished my A Levels at Shrewsbury School, a boarding school in England that changed everything for me.

Leaving Home, Twice

Moving away from home at sixteen was terrifying and exhilarating at once. I’d lived in a small capital city, then suddenly I was on a plane to England, alone, about to live among strangers. That first year taught me how to adapt, how to handle homesickness, how to be independent, how to manage culture shock, and those lessons made my later move to Abu Dhabi much easier.

By the time I applied to university, I knew I wanted another international experience but not an unfamiliar one. NYU Abu Dhabi felt like the right middle ground, far enough to challenge me but close enough to feel connected. My sister was already there, my mother could visit, and the idea of studying in such a global environment was impossible to resist.

Why NYU Abu Dhabi

I’d always dreamed of studying in the US; Yale was in my head at first. But what I really wanted was an American-style education, not necessarily the U.S. address. At NYU Abu Dhabi, I could belong to the NYU network while living in a new region of the world.

Abu Dhabi is a place where students from over 120 nationalities study together. You can hear many languages in the dining hall and still find moments of quiet. You can study political theory in the morning and visit the Louvre in the afternoon. It’s surreal in the best way.

The Application Process: Honesty Over Perfection

I applied to only one university, NYU Abu Dhabi, and I applied Early Decision with a simple mindset: if it’s meant to be, it’ll be.

I wasn’t the stereotypical perfect student. I had a 4.0 GPA in Montenegro and predicted A*AA at A Level for Philosophy and Theology, Economics, and Politics. I also scored about an 8 on the IELTS. I think what made my application stand out wasn’t academic perfection; it was honesty. My essays were about mental health and studying away, about how independence taught me lessons rather than offering escape. I asked my referees to show me as they saw me, and to be honest, I think that mattered a lot in my college application.

If you fake who you are on your application, you’ll probably end up somewhere that doesn’t fit. For me, honesty was number one. I know a lot of people say that, but it’s true, and honestly, one of the best pieces of advice you’ll ever receive.

A Decade with the Flute

The flute is a big part of my identity. I started playing around nine, though I first wanted the violin. The flute felt right, and it stuck. I trained for over ten years: music school in Montenegro, private lessons, and at Shrewsbury, I became the first flute in both the wind and symphonic orchestras. I joined chamber groups and performed whenever I could.

At NYU Abu Dhabi, there isn’t a full orchestra, but I’ve found ways to keep music alive. I take music classes, collaborate with other musicians, and once I recorded music for a short film. Playing is not performance only; it is expression and a way to come back to myself.

Financial Aid That Opens Doors

I’m on a full scholarship at NYUAD. Tuition is covered, housing and food are included, and books and flights are also paid for. That kind of generous support is part of what makes the campus so international: students can come from many places because cost is not always a barrier.

When students study away for a semester, the university covers stipends and travel. The support goes beyond fees; it is about access to experiences.

Life at NYUAD: Between Books and Cultures

I study Political Science with a minor in Economics. This semester, I’ve been in political theory and statistics classes, and I’m taking a course on the political development of the Middle East, a class I wouldn’t get to explore this deeply back home. We also have a liberal arts core, and those courses stretch you in useful ways.

Outside of class, I’m involved in student life. I’m part of REACH, a student group focused on well-being. I work with Weyak, an immersive welcome and first-semester program that all first-years participate in. I take part in Student Embassy Ambassador Liaison (SEAL), where I build connections with embassies; I’m the liaison with the Montenegrin embassy, which has led to organizing events and speaking with diplomats.

Campus life is calm rather than chaotic. We’re based on Saadiyat Island near museums and beaches. The Louvre Abu Dhabi is a short drive; the area has cafes and cultural programming. The campus runs shuttle buses that keep us connected to downtown. There’s plenty to do if you look for it.

Advice for Future Applicants

Be honest. Don’t chase an idea of the perfect candidate. Don’t pick activities just because they look good. Do things that reflect your interests. Admissions officers are not searching for clones. They want curiosity and authenticity.

Grades matter, of course, but your full story matters too. At NYUAD, you’ll sit next to people with very different paths. Some will have super-high exam scores, and others will bring unique life experiences. That diversity is the point.

What Comes Next

I don’t have every step planned, but I know the direction. I want to work in the business world, maybe consulting or HR, for a few years in the UAE, then return to study for an MBA in the U.S. or Europe. For now, I want to build experience, meet people, and see where that leads.

Each move I’ve made, from Montenegro to the UK to Abu Dhabi, has been a small transformation. Studying abroad is not an escape. It is a chance to grow into the person you weren’t yet allowed to be.