Language Institute in Zadar, Croatia
- Spend 6 weeks in the summer studying intensive Croatian language
- Live in a small ancient Dalmatian town right along the Adriatic coast completely immersed in Croatian culture
- Enjoy afternoon and evening lectures (in Croatian), films, and visits to museums
- Take day trips and excursions to nearby islands, historical attractions and national parks
The University of Kansas Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures and the Office of Study Abroad offer students the opportunity to spend the summer in Zadar, Croatia, studying Croatian language and culture. The University of Kansas has more than 30 years of involvement in Croatian language programs.
In addition to intensive intermediate or advanced-level Croatian study, the program offers afternoon and evening programs that include lectures (in Croatian), films, and visits to museums. Cultural and sightseeing trips to local places of interest are planned for this year’s program.
The ancient city of Zadar is situated close to four national parks and 50 attractive tourist resorts. The region of Zadar covers picturesque coastline and an archipelago of more than 300 islands and islets rich in peaceful, sandy beaches and numerous small coves and bays. With a city population of 70,000, Zadar is small and easy to get around in but also vibrant and full of life, especially in the summer.
In its history, Zadar has passed through different stages of development. In the 9th century B.C., Zadar was known as the settlement of Liburns (Illyrians). Then it became a Roman colony. Later, Zadar was for a time under the Byzantine rule. After the 9th century, well known as the period of Croatian rulers, the Croats settled there. A great number of archeological sites, historical and cultural monuments tell us about the rich history of the city (city walls, the Roman Forum, numerous early Christian churches, various buildings dating from Romantic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods, a famous collection of sacral silver and gold objects, etc.). The first university center on the eastern Adriatic coast was founded in Zadar in 1396.
While old town in Zadar is full of narrow streets with high buildings and a few old churches scattered around, the city is very accessible with an international airport and bus/train options, as well. Students have the option of taking inexpensive boat trips to islands off the coast. In addition to swimming and visiting the beaches, students can take part in various sports activities such as surfing, water-skiing, sailing, and scuba diving. For more information on Zadar & Lingua Croatica visit www.lin-cro.hr. To connect with other students and see more pictures of Zadar, visit the program Facebook page.
Program Director
Stephen M. Dickey is Associate Professor of Slavic Languages at the University of Kansas. In addition to a book and several articles on Slavic verbal categories, he has extensive experience in the countries of the former Yugoslavia and has published many translations from Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian into English, including Meša Selimovic’s Death and the Dervish and Borislav Pekic’s How to Quiet a Vampire.
Academic Program
The partner organization in Croatia is Lingua Croatica. Instructors are professional language-pedagogy specialists under joint contract by Lingua Croatica and University of Zadar. The KU Director will be on-site for support and academic assistance, when needed.
Students will take intermediate and advanced Croatian language. The program offers 150 contact hours of instruction over a six-week period. The program meets FLAS (Foreign Language and Area Studies) fellowship guidelines for contact hours and duration.
Credit & Courses Offered
Six hours of BCRS 380: Intensive Croatian credit are granted by the University of Kansas Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures upon successful completion of the program.
Accommodations include single rooms for all students. Meals are arranged independently by the student, except for during excursions. Meals can be found at a reasonable price ($10-15/day) and students have access to a shared kitchen.
The accommodations and the school are in the same building or very close.
Students will have the opportunity to attend music, dance, and theater performances as well as participate in organized field trips to sites of historical and cultural interest, including Nin and the islands of Pašman and Ugljan. Students will also have free time to explore Zadar and get to know the local people.
Open to students from any accredited U.S. college or university. A minimum of one year of Croatian language study is required. Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered after submission of a petition).
For more information contact:
Dr. Stephen M. Dickey
The University of Kansas
Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
phone: 785-864-2357
e-mail: smd@ku.edu
