Croatia: Culture, Conflict, and Service

Arrive into Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight, and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Visit the bazaars of Bascarsija to sample dishes influenced by the Ottoman Empire and shop for souvenirs in its cobblestone alleys.

Explore Sarajevo, the capital and business hub of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spend the day learning about the siege of Sarajevo during the recent conflict in the 1990s and see the tunnel dug during the war to serve as its only lifeline. Take a walking tour of one of the most culturally-diverse towns in the world, where East meets West and the major religions of the world are represented just blocks apart. In the afternoon, take a short drive to the town of Mostar, which will be your base for the next few days.

Get to know Mostar and visit sites that bear witness to the turbulent cultural history of the Balkans. Mostar is a beautiful city with bridges and valleys, and it’s hard to imagine the recent wars until you hear about them from community members. Learn about traditional life, participate in a coffee workshop, and hear our local staff share their personal histories and visions for the future.

In the morning, explore the beautiful surrounding countryside of Herzegovina and visit a traditional Dervish house, the home of Islamic mystics, where a mountain spring empties into the Buna River. Visit the medieval town of Pocitelj and climb to the top of the fort that long ago protected the entrance to the valley below. Take in the spectacular views over Mostar and the Neretva Valley. Spend the afternoon soaking in the sun and taking a dip into the refreshing lakes below Kravice Waterfall.

After gaining knowledge about the local culture and history, it is time to help support the local community. Partner with a local grassroots NGO who help support local school students and environmental projects. Work alongside local community members and get your hands dirty as you work on sustainable community service projects to help support environmental initiatives such as lake cleanups, hiking trail maintenance, or planting trees in recent areas affected by forest fires.

Complete a second full day of community service before crossing the border into Croatia on your drive to Split, a beautiful ancient seaside town along the Adriatic coast. Sample the food of the Dalmatian coast and enjoy an evening visit to Diocletian’s Palace. This structure, built as a retirement home for a Roman emperor, is now enmeshed with the cobblestone streets of Split’s old city.

Learn about Split’s history and see the influences of the Romans, Venetians, Austrians, and communists that once ruled this small coastal town. Wander its historic markets where people buy fresh seafood and produce to create handmade pasta and risottos. Hike to the top of the Marjan Hill for a panoramic view of the city and harbor. Sample the food of the Dalmatian coast and enjoy an evening visit to Diocletian’s Palace. This structure, built as a retirement home for a Roman emperor, is now enmeshed with the cobblestone streets of Split’s old city.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Split and leave for your flight back home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.