NELA CHESTOJANOVA
BIO
Nela Chestojanova (she/her/hers) is a member of St. Lawrence University's class of 2027, majoring in Biomedical Sciences and Psychology. A native Macedonian fortunate to have had educational experience in four different countries worldwide, her interests revolve around exploring how educational systems, storytelling, and cultural heritage can serve as tools for empowering communities and fostering social change. Passionate about the intersection of global issues and the identities of people and places, Nela is committed to bridging cultural gaps, creating spaces for dialogue, and understanding.
One of the first places I visited during my semester in Copenhagen was not
only a beautiful park, but also a graveyard. Located in the heart of Nørrebro, this
multipurpose space—Assistens Kirkegård—is both a cemetery and a park. While the cemetery still serves its original purpose as a burial ground, it has evolved into a recreational space. For some locals, this is the area where they jog five kilometers every morning; for others, it is a place to meditate. For the busy bikers, this is the scenic street that they whizz down on their way to work in the city; and for the guides facilitating cemetery tours, this space is a source of income.