MY STUDENT MOBILITY IN MALMÖ: Anđela Jovićević

Anđela Jovićević
University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Music

Erasmus+ Mobility for Studies at:

Academy of Music, Malmö

How often do you hear that someone went to Germany, Austria, or Italy—countries where music primarily developed—for further education? And when was the last time you heard that someone went to study piano in Malmö?

The need for something unknown—a new culture, language, and system of values—was what ultimately influenced my decision.

Perhaps my desire to go to Sweden developed after encountering the films of Ingmar Bergman. The sound of the language, so different from anything I had ever heard before, resonated deeply within me. Through Bergman’s vision of the world, I may have glimpsed what Sweden had to offer.

Still, I didn’t go to Malmö just to fulfill that wish—professional advancement had to come first! Like any performer, the collaboration between the student and the professor of the instrument is very important to me. I was fortunate to be in the class of Francisca Skoogh and also work with Tuija Hakkila, a guest professor from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

Since the academic year here starts a month earlier, I faced the challenge of preparing for my studies in a shorter time than usual. This only helped me push my own boundaries.

The University of Lund, to which my academy belongs, is highly respected worldwide, so it’s no surprise that a large number of international students come here every year. I spent most of my days with them, so adapting to the new environment wasn’t as difficult for me.

The opportunities for practice are immense, so I didn’t have to worry about not having my own instrument with me. The music performance program I was enrolled in consisted exclusively of subjects closely related to performance, with the option to choose elective subjects from other faculties.

As a student at the academy, I had the opportunity to attend Philharmonic concerts for free, receive significant discounts for other cultural events in the city, and perform at venues across Malmö, Lund, and Helsingborg.

It is very common for people in Sweden to be reserved. Although I was aware of this, I didn’t expect that I, as an introvert by nature, would have to be the one to initiate and lead conversations. This experience helped me gain a significant amount of self-confidence.

I also enjoyed walking in the large parks, watching animals, and facing the strong winds along the sea. Silence there is not just the absence of sound, but a space for thoughts. I feel as though part of Sweden has left its roots in me.

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