Dana Cetojevic

What does being a University student mean to me? Being a University student at UOW means opportunity essentially. Opportunity to challenge myself, opportunity to best myself, opportunity to try new things, opportunity to network and an opportunity to inspire and be inspired. Being a University student was not a forced choice, it was a universal gift to me, and I never throw gifts away. I don’t believe there is anything else more valuable for a young person, especially a young woman to be given opportunity. An opportunity that will do nothing but grant life changing and beneficial experience. Given the life I have had and the unfortunate challenges I’ve had to face whilst growing up, the greatest high school graduation gift to myself was knowing that I would have place at the University of Wollongong, where I would begin my real life’s work, through opportunity.

Growing up, I sort of had an idea of what I wanted to do at uni. I had the direction and I had the drive. In saying that, I do not know where my path will lead once I leave the UOW gates, all I know and trust is that the opportunities after will be endless for me.

The film industry is where I see my future after uni. Whether it is as an Actor or production crew. Acting is my side profession, I have been doing acting for a couple of years now, I intend to continue pursuing that passion of mine. However, as much as I love the thought of being an International movie star one day, I do need a back up plan, just in case that doesn’t quite fall through. Communications and Media was the perfect degree choice, the foundation of the BA is a beneficial starting ground and base for the entire media industry. Now that I am in second year, I have sincerely enjoyed the course, the subjects, the lectures and the prospects…

Where do I see myself next after this year you may ask? North Carolina. Going to uni and doing the degree that I do, gives me so many international opportunities. North California State University (NCSU) is my first exchange preference. I wan’t to go to North Carolina specifically because of it’s film industry scene. I feel as if that if I am going to go anywhere abroad, it needs to be coherent with the direction I want to go in life. I have always admired the idea of going to the States to study and live. I also believe its an excellent country for my career prospects after Uni.

My opportunities are endless, I have positioned myself in an excellent circumstance where my ability to learn, inspire and be inspired is immeasurable. The door to the open sea of life has never been more open. The key to that door was University. To be a University student is to be an opportunity. And that’s what it means to me.

Thank you UOW.

“The world is not in your books and maps. It’s out there”

– Gandalf the Grey