Milica’s loved ones about her

"It's not a matter of whether or not I can, but rather whether or not I want to!"

About our Milica

"I met Milica back in high school and immediately sensed her uniqueness. She was one of those rare individuals whose energy lights up an entire room. Her charisma inevitably drew you in, and her dreams inspired you to believe in them along with her.

During university, our friendship grew and deepened, and Milica took a special place in my heart, becoming one of the most important people in my life. She was more than a friend; she was a support, a pillar I leaned on, even when I doubted myself. She always saw the best in me, long before I could recognize it. Her words reminded me of the strength I carried, often long before I realized it myself.

Over the years, Milica gifted me many life lessons, which I may not have fully understood at the time, but which stayed with me, maturing as I grew. Her wisdom and selflessness were a beacon in moments when I wondered which path to take.

I owe her so much, but most of all, the love she selflessly shared with everyone around her, a love we will never have the chance to fully repay. That is why I am here, writing these words in her honor, as a humble expression of gratitude for all that she gave us."

"Her wisdom and selflessness were a beacon in moments when I wondered which path to take."

"At first, she was unreal for today's gray world. She was the one who doesn't look through rose-colored glasses, but sees with her golden gaze only the best in others, and even the hidden good. Criticism was her motive for progress - that's what bought me in the beginning. Never There was no vanity or selfishness in her voice, in her look and actions. She was so unreal and gentle that she managed to penetrate through my resolute filters, hardened by other people's false good intentions and selfishness. Her great joy for my small successes was greater than my own, that's how she taught me to appreciate everything I achieve and succeed, no matter how unimportant it might be to me at that moment.
Oh, how she knew how to listen and pay attention to the little things – it was a common seed between us. Both by day and night, she was unstoppable, tireless – I always wondered where she found the strength to juggle studying and socializing, all while managing to keep everything in balance. How many sleepless nights, in notes and glasses of wine, in singing, duets, and silence, in tears… Life, you were too narrow! Her wishes then seemed too great for this small world.
You know when you feel like there’s nowhere to go, no way out, and you remain in place while everyone around you moves on?! At that moment, her words gave me the strength and faith to carry on; her simple 'Vanja, I believe in you' was more than firmly true in that hopelessness. Others’ impossibilities were her challenges, as she did not accept 'no' as an answer.
Seemingly fragile, yet truly tender, with incredible strength and empathy – these were the great embraces of tiny hands and a huge heart. She melted the hardened shields and walls built due to this harsh world and penetrated a field of cotton, emotions, and colors that no one could have guessed existed. Oh yes, there in my heart, that’s where you will live with me!"

"Milica is the person who showed me what a true friend is and how to nurture and cherish real friendship. I could always count on her, and she was there for absolutely everything. I miss her endlessly."

"Anyone who knew Milica knows that she embodied kindness, justice, honesty, and intelligence. Her life's mission was to help humanity; she wanted to make the world a better place, and every action of hers reflected that. She was always sincere, speaking her mind and being true to herself. She was always available to her friends for advice, companionship, and support. She selflessly shared her knowledge and time with her colleagues and was always ready to help anyone in need.
A person like Milica is rarely encountered. Here’s an anecdote about what she was like: as a student, she wanted to implement a project – shelters for the homeless, where people without means could bathe and sleep, powered by solar energy. 😊
That was our Milica – intelligent, sincere, good; our idealist; a rare friend, and above all, a wonderful person."

"People are measured by the impact they leave behind. Milica changed every environment she was in; had she had more time, I have no doubt she would have changed the world too. However, everyone sees themselves best, and in her influence on me, her potential for change was most evident. In response to my inherent pessimism and negativity, she reacted with an inexhaustible positivity and energy. From a misanthrope, she created someone who at least tries to always put others before himself. From a cynic, she transformed me into someone who believes that people should be given the chance to prove themselves. How could I not, when I had the best example of someone who never let down my expectations? The best description of my dear Milica's life was given by a random woman next to the bakery when she saw us eating, me more than I should and her with a lazy pie. She couldn't control herself and simply exclaimed: 'Oh, neither a smaller child nor a bigger cake!' If she were still with us, she would share her piece of cake with everyone and wouldn't rest until the whole world received at least a crumb of the goodness she radiated."

"I met Milica at the first meeting of the Future Studies students, the new 25th generation of the Belgrade Open School. She waved her hands, talking about how difficult it would be to balance and fulfill all her commitments.

When we got to know each other better, I saw a gentle, open, and unspoiled being with good intentions standing next to me. She sincerely enjoyed socializing, rushing into hugs, joyful, with a broad smile.

We all knew, or at least deeply felt, that Milica was greater than all of us. Although so small and delicate, she harbored a desire to change the world, a desire that was just beginning to expand its reach like a big bang.

I viewed Milica as a dominant paradigm. Fragile, almost breakable, she steadfastly endured all the hardships life threw her way. Most importantly, she never looked back or reflected on past activities. Smiling, she would silently set aside her obligations and tasks – for her, there was only the future.

She accepted every proposal with great joy. Considering her academic achievements, I cautiously accepted her requests to review her motivational letters for various programs. I would tell her that it would be better for someone from her field to look at those texts, but she would comfort me by saying that I wrote excellently and that she trusted my judgment.

Perhaps we fell in love with each other due to her modesty and childlike curiosity."

"To my dearest Milica,
who made me feel at home from the very first day she came into my life.
Who became my little sister in Ghent, small in stature but one of the greatest people I’ve had the honor of knowing.
To my beauty, who saw into my soul through my eyes and who has been and remains my greatest inspiration in life.
My dearest, a part of you will live through me until my last breath, because a soul of such colors cannot simply vanish; it lives on forever.
Thank you for everything. 💚"

"If she were still with us, she would share her piece of cake with everyone and wouldn't rest until the whole world received at least a crumb of the goodness she radiated."

"When Milica set her mind to something, it would happen; failure was not an option. She selflessly shared her attention in conversations, her knowledge and experience in advice, and her help in difficult times. Milica continues to live on in all the good and noble deeds I do, and there are immeasurably more of them thanks to her."

Milica…was a sun. We met before the beginning of our PhD, and just before the Covid outbreak. When we were announced that our PhD projects will be delayed due to the epidemic, we got worried and tried to cheer each other up. That’s how we started speaking almost every day through Skype. Sharing the same worries, and the same dreams. Sharing ideas how to design our office, scheduling how to make Copenhagen feel like home, and supporting each other during that difficult for everyone time of isolation and uncertainty. Milica…was the sun. Bright, clever, excited, full of dreams. We didn’t have the chance to make our common dreams reality. But you know what? She was always there. The most difficult days, she was still there; reminding me to be excited, and keep trying to become the best version of myself. Cause that’s who she was.

„Milica...was a sun„