RIT Croatia becomes a hub for American students studying abroad

Students overlooking the Dalmatian coast (Photo: RIT Global)

By Angela J. Krčelić, a Chicago Gal and RIT Croatia alumna

Studying abroad in Croatia allows students to learn beyond the classroom and develop skills to be successful in a rapidly changing global society. By participating in organized activities, students get immersed in local culture, people, and traditional cuisine that are beyond extraordinary. Summer programs have been specifically designed to help students enjoy unforgettable study abroad opportunities, all while reaching their academic goals.

Three different summer programs

RIT Croatia creates, organizes, and runs study abroad programs in cooperation with global campuses and other universities. After two years during the pandemic without any study abroad students, this academic year RIT Croatia has seen an increase of interest in study abroad programs from both its students and from RIT global campuses students

Three programs are running actively this summer with a total of 37 students coming mostly from the main campus in Rochester. The shortest program is the Ecology of Dalmatian Coast and the Roots to Croatian Wine Tradition, where students are taking the course Wines of the World and the Ecology of Dalmatian Coast for three weeks at the beautiful Dubrovnik campus. Followed by a week-long sailing trip that combines the knowledge from the classroom with fieldwork.

Student enjoying fieldwork activities (Photo: RIT Global)

Zagreb campus hosts a very popular Summer Psychology program, combining Positive and Abnormal psychology courses for five weeks and a week-long travel tour to Vienna and Munich.

The newest program, running for the first time this year, is the Summer Business administration minor that spans throughout the whole summer, aimed at STEM students who want to complete a minor in Business Administration. All three programs are unique and students from different majors see the academic and social benefits of traveling abroad.

Campuses in Zagreb and Dubrovnik offer lifelong memories and academic experiences

When asked about his experience in Dubrovnik, Joe Giannattasio, an RIT student from New Jersey said:

“I am a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering Technology student at RIT’s main campus. I arrived in Dubrovnik in mid-May to take a four-week course consisting of two classes, Ecology of the Dalmatian Coast and Wine Tradition of Croatia. I chose this option for multiple reasons. I am interested in ecology and environmental sustainability as a whole and saw this as an opportunity to learn from experts in a region I am not familiar with. The wine class seemed interesting for similar reasons, I wanted to learn to appreciate and taste the local wines. The sailing tour at the end of the course was an added bonus and was what I was looking forward to most. My learning experience at RIT Croatia exceeded my expectations. Between the knowledgeable and passionate instructors and the holistic learning approach, I was able more fully understand the course material and have a great time learning. I would recommend this course to anyone who is curious about different cultures and how they relate to the environment and wine traditions, as well as anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the Dalmatian coast. The city of Dubrovnik is fantastic. The old town seamlessly combines history from multiple eras and modern conveniences all in one place. The rest of Dubrovnik has everything you may need including beaches, restaurants, and plenty of wine.”

Sailing itinerary included in RIT Croatia summer program (Photo: RIT Global)

There are a lot of treasures memories Myren Bobryk-Ozaki will bring home to the US, but most notable are the new friendships they made along the way:

“Coming to RIT Croatia over this summer was really an ‘on a whim’ decision. I had never planned to study abroad but the Summer Minor in Business email landed in my inbox and I thought it looked interesting. Zagreb has been nothing short of absolutely amazing. The architecture, sunsets, food, and overall experience is wonderful. The apartments we were placed in were actual proper apartments (not like the dorm rooms) and getting groceries isn’t overly difficult – we have made some fantastic meals here. One of my friends here cannot eat eggs, dairy, or gluten in the US but has had no issues with food in Croatia. RIT Croatia’s campus is situated in a building that has some really great food options around it; is close to a museum, the mall, and a tram station; and has some really friendly people (that do all speak English so don’t let that be a barrier!). Zagreb is not a difficult city to navigate and if you do get lost, you will be able to find your way around. My study abroad group and I have been having a blast hanging out with each other in Croatia and throughout Europe on mini excursions. As much as this section should probably be more about Zagreb, I do want to say that the group I happened to go abroad with are some of the funniest, kindest, and most genuine people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. I think I have made some life-long friends over here and it’s going to be heartbreaking to have to leave each other at the end.”

RIT Croatia’s campus in Zagreb (Photo: RIT Global)

About RIT Croatia
RIT Croatia (formerly known as ACMT) has been delivering top American degree programs in Croatia since 1997. With its two campuses, in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, this is the only US college in the country and it is the only institution for higher education granting two diplomas to its students – an American diploma, awarded by RIT, and a Croatian diploma, awarded by RIT Croatia. RIT Croatia graduates work all over the world – from the EU countries to Australia and the US, but also exotic locations such as Curacao. International students come from all over the world but most of them come from the U.S. Some come from the main campus from Rochester, but a lot of Americans come from Croatian Diaspora communities in cities such as San Jose, San Pedro, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, New York, Toronto, Mississauga, Cleveland, and many more. For more information, contact [email protected]

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