Andreja: From Belgrade's Philological High School to psychology at the University of Padua

Andreja graduated from the Philological High School in Belgrade as a National Champion in both Serbian and Chinese language. He is also a photographer who studied in Iceland, an actor, and a dancer.

His main interest is the human mind. He pursued it at one of the oldest universities in the world, enrolling in Psychology at the University of Padua.

Student Snapshot

• Target: Psychology
• Spike: National awards (Chinese and Serbian), Petnica Science Center (Psychology)
• Outcome: Accepted to the University of Padua (Top 100 Global Psychology Program)

Equedu: You come from a language high school. Why Psychology, and why Italy?

Andreja: I’ve always chased challenges. I saw studying abroad as the ultimate way to force myself to grow: to learn new languages, meet new cultures, and adapt. I studied Italian throughout high school and traveled there often. I knew the culture fit me. But academically, I wanted to pivot. I attended the Petnica Science Center for a Psychology seminar, which sparked my interest in how the mind works. Italy offered the perfect blend: a lifestyle I loved with an academic heritage among the oldest in Europe.

Equedu: Sapienza in Rome and the University of Padua both accepted you. Why Padua?

Andreja: It was a tough choice, but I chose Padua for the academic rigor. Studying Psychology at the University of Padua means joining a program ranked in the top 100 globally.

There is also the weight of history. The University was founded in 1222; it is one of the oldest in the world. The city is full of Renaissance architecture, yet it feels calm and focused. It felt like the right environment for deep study, whereas Rome felt more chaotic.

Equedu: Chinese language awards, photography in Iceland, dance. How did you turn all of that into one application?

Andreja: That was the hardest part. I had a 5.0 GPA (the top mark on the Serbian 1–5 scale) and awards, like First Place in the National Competitions for Serbian and Chinese language, but I didn't know how to package them alongside my creative hobbies like acting and photography. This is where Equedu was the difference. I started working with them two years before I applied. Because we started so early, they helped me plan my extracurriculars strategically. They showed me how to incorporate my time at Petnica and my summer school in Iceland into a narrative that showed I was a well-rounded, curious thinker, not just a student with good grades.

"I started working with Equedu two years before I applied... They showed me how to incorporate my time at Petnica and my summer school in Iceland into a narrative."

The strongest applications Equedu sees begin 18 to 24 months before the deadline. The work itself does not take that long. The case takes that long to become visible to an admissions officer.

Equedu: How did the mentorship help with the practical side of applying to Italy?

Andreja: I honestly didn't know how to make the first step. Italian bureaucracy moves slowly. Through conversations with the team, I learned about the higher education systems in various countries, which helped me confirm that Italy was the right choice. But the practical help was just as important. Equedu offers Math and English prep classes, which were vital for passing the entrance exams. Having a team that has actually lived this experience meant the advice was always practical, never just theoretical.

Equedu: You were also selected for the Equedu Scholarship Program. What did that mean to you?

Andreja: It was a huge confidence boost. To have my personal talent recognized by an organization that works with top students was validating.

But more than that, it was the network. I got to meet other talented students who were also getting into leading world universities. Being part of that community pushes you to be better. I’m looking forward to giving back and helping younger students the same way I was helped.