Young people of Croatian descent and students from ten countries are participating in this year’s University School of Croatian Language and Culture, which gathered 21 students from Europe, North and South America and Australia in Zagreb
Today, the educational and cultural program jointly conducted by the University of Zagreb and the Croatian Heritage Foundation officially opened at the University of Zagreb. The program of the University School of Croatian Language and Culture runs until July 17, and this year it brings together 21 students from 10 European and overseas countries – Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Ecuador, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Canada and the United States.
At the opening ceremony, the participants were greeted by the head of the School, Igor Marko Gligorić, and the Rector of the University of Zagreb, Stjepan Lakušić, who said he was pleased that the students were spending four weeks in Croatia learning Croatian language and culture.
In his address, CHF Director Zdeslav Milas emphasized that the University School of Croatian Language and Culture is one of the most important and longest-running programs of the Croatian Heritage Foundation.
“For more than four decades, this program has been connecting young people from all over the world with the Croatian language, culture and identity. We are especially pleased that, despite living and working in different countries and cultural environments, you have decided to devote part of your time to learning the Croatian language and getting to know the country of your ancestors. I believe that staying in Croatia will bring you new knowledge, friendships and experiences that you will carry with you all your life,” Milas said, adding that the arrival of young people from all over the world confirms that the Croatian language and culture connect people on all continents.
After the official part, the participants met the professors who will teach them the Croatian language in the coming weeks. What awaits them in the cultural part of the program was explained to them by Lada Kanajet Šimić, Head of the Department of Education and Science. On the first day, the participants immediately attended an interesting introductory workshop led by Grozdana Lajić Horvat. In addition to a series of tasks and challenges, the participants had the opportunity to learn more about each other, learn new Croatian words, and discover something new about Croatia that everyone, regardless of age differences or the country in which they are currently living, is extremely fond of.
The University School of Croatian Language and Culture is intended primarily for young people of Croatian descent, but also for all other students who want to learn or improve the Croatian language and expand their knowledge of Croatia. The academic program includes 120 school hours of Croatian language classes, covering grammar, language editing, and communication, and classes are organized according to different levels of language knowledge – from beginner to advanced.
In addition to the language program, the Croatian Heritage Foundation organizes a rich cultural program for students, which includes lectures on Croatian history and cultural heritage, study visits to museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, and study trips to some of the most important Croatian sites.
For decades, the program of the University School of Croatian Language and Culture has been one of the most successful examples of cooperation between the academic community and national institutions aimed at preserving the Croatian language and identity among Croats abroad and promoting Croatian culture in an international environment.
Upon completion of the program, students will, after passing the exams, obtain a diploma from the University of Zagreb, a certificate of the ECTS credits earned, and valuable experience through direct acquaintance with the Croatian language, culture, and contemporary Croatia.
Text and photo: CHF
