I have always been someone who was used to travelling and moving to different countries, so pursuing a master’s degree abroad was a logical step. However, I never imagined that I would end up studying in Croatia, Lithuania and Belgium. I came across the EMMIE application in my third year of undergraduate studies, and even then I, I knew it would be an amazing opportunity for me. Shortly after I graduated, I applied to EMMIE without high expectations – after all, it is a highly competitive program. In the meantime, I had already mapped out my future: a planned internship in Germany and a master’s degree in France, a country I had always dreamed of studying in. And I was very excited for that chapter of my life.
But life rarely goes according to plan. This time, EMMIE happened and I wasn’t mad about it. With 800+ applications from 85 countries, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European region. So, I set aside all my previous plans and thus my EMMIE journey began.
The first step was moving to Croatia. Living there was relatively easy for me since I speak the language and the culture is similar to my own. However, what made my time there remarkable was the personal growth I experienced as part of EMMIE, being surrounded by such a diverse group. With colleagues from Paraguay to Vietnam, it felt as though I had visited these countries without ever setting foot in them.
While I have lived in different countries and continents before, no experience has pushed me as much as this one. Usually, when moving abroad, you mainly interact with locals, but this was different. This time, I wasn’t just adjusting to the new country, but also to my peers, who come from all over the world. EMMIE taught me so much about different cultures, perspectives and how to be more open-minded and respectful towards others. I will be grateful to EMMIE for teaching me to express my gratitude and appreciation more like my Asian colleagues and to enjoy life to the fullest as my Latino colleagues.
In addition, being 23 years old in a program where the average age is 28, and the only participant from Europe, was a challenge. At first, I struggled with impostor syndrome, but over time, I learned to embrace the experience. Being in a room with some of the best minds from around the world was intimidating at first, but it became an amazing learning opportunity.
What makes EMMIE truly special is how it combines academic learning with practical application. It’s not just about studying entrepreneurship—it’s about putting what you’ve learned into action. In Croatia, 3 out of 4 courses were based on start-up simulations which enabled me to gain practical insights into real-world business challenges without any financial risk.
Apart from personal and professional growth, I am the most thankful for the friendships I have built—connections with people from all over the world who I have learned from and shared incredible moments with throughout this journey. Saying goodbye to people after spending 5 months with them in one country and then starting over in another was harder than I expected, but nothing compares to the feeling of planning and reuniting with those friends across different countries.
Now, my journey continues in Lithuania and I am excited to see what awaits me there. Until then, if you are considering to apply, do it. I promise it will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It certainly was for me.
Written by: Lejla Đapo, Cohort 3
