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API Study Abroad in Dubrovnik, Croatia

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Learn in Croatia with API!
Study abroad in Croatia with API study abroad

About

The API study abroad program at Libertas International University is unlike any other in Croatia. The university, nestled on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, provides an idyllic setting for students to delve into Croatia's recent economic and political developments (all while enjoying a uniquely rich culture that most tend to overlook!).

The program courses are taught in English and students participate in smaller group classes with other international students. This intimate setting allows for a deeper understanding of international relations and diplomacy, ultimately preparing students for careers in a global environments. The majority of courses are taught in English in an intimate setting with an average of less than 10 students per course. The student body consists of a diverse group of international and Croatian students. API students may also elect to take an introductory Croatian language course during their time abroad. See you there? Check out API's website for more info!

Highlights
  • Most LIU professors are working diplomats or professionals in their field of study
  • Internship opportunity with local NGOs and/or local media and news agencies!
  • Courses offered in English in a variety of subject areas with a focus on international affairs
  • Study and live in the picturesque walled city of Dubrovnik, the site of King's Landing from HBO's "Game of Thrones"

Questions & Answers

Reviews

9.75 Rating
based on 4 reviews
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  • Academics 6.3
  • Support 9.8
  • Fun 9.5
  • Housing 10
  • Safety 10
Showing 1 - 4 of 4
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Shakera
23
United States
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

An Adventure of A Lifetime

Mar 7, 2020

Studying abroad is something I thought I would never do; however, it became an experience that I often look back on and smile. Before this experience, I never traveled outside of the country before so I was a bit terrified; however, API and their resident directors did an amazing job of preparing me for this wonderful experience. Dubrovnik is a great location to study abroad without becoming too overwhelmed.

There were only 13 people in my program, and the class sizes ranged from 4 to 20 students. So, it very easy to get to know everyone in your program and the locals. In addition, almost everyone speaks English! I was a bit hesitant about traveling while I was in Croatia; however, I noticed that English is a universal language, and a lot of people know it. I do recommend learning a few words in Croatian, it's a great way to earn brownie points with the locals. While abroad, it seemed that everyday was a constant adventure, and I am beyond thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this.

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Lianne
26
Female
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

The best part of my college experience!

Jan 9, 2017

One thing I loved about studying in Dubrovnik was that there were only 22 people in the program, and because the program was so small we were forced to interact with and develop relationships with the locals, which is an important part of understanding the culture you are living in. Nada and Ivana, the Resident Directors, are extremely helpful with everything and anything, including academic, housing, and travel issues. The apartment I stayed in was amazing with beautiful views (see photos), and Dubrovnik is an incredibly safe city. The school is in an old monastery, and the professors included former ambassadors and politicians. The class schedule is not on a traditional American schedule - oftentimes a class will be every day for 4 weeks and then finish, so if you schedule your classes accordingly it leaves a lot of time for traveling or hanging out on the beach. I learned so much about Croatia, and really fell in love with this city and the Croatian way of life.

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Response from API

Thank you for sharing your experience Lianne! We agree - Dubrovnik is amazing!

By API API on January 10, 2017
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Isaac
25
Male
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Being an International Student

Aug 26, 2016

It was the best experience of my life! You grow up and learn so many things about yourself and the world. Navigating a new country and others that you visit is not only fun and challenging but also prepares you for life as a professional. The housing was amazing with a wonderful view, also having Croatian students just down the street was great benefit! The college was in a beautiful monastery rich with history. A unique dynamic that I don't get at my college at home is that you can walk around this ancient walled city and find a unknown locals cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I think the most fun part was learning the culture and some of the language, there also comes benefits with learning the language as many restaurants and bars give discounts if you order in Croatian.

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Response from API

Thanks for sharing your experience with us Isaac! We're so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Dubrovnik with API!

By API API on August 26, 2016
Abby McD
Abby McD
28
Female
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Nov 9, 2014

Our university shared a building with a Dominican Monastery and only had 100 kids. When I was there it was 10 Americans, 9 International students and then around 80 Locals. There was really no campus but the school is inside the Old Town Walls. It's a very new program which makes it quite an interesting place to study. I cannot say enough good things about it. I 110% reccomend this for anyone who wants to stay in Europe but wants to go somewhere different than the "usual" destinations of Italy, Spain, France... ect...

What would you improve about this program?
Traveling outside of Dubrovnik could be a bit of a pain. They arent connected to the EuroRail and the local airport is pretty small. We would usually either fly to Zagreb (Capital of Croatia, 1 hour flight) or bus (14 hours) and then catch flights out of Croatia from there.
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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Lianne Peterson

Program
API Study Abroad in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Why did you choose this program?

I had already visited ten countries, by the time I studied abroad, half of them in Europe, so I knew how easy Europe was to navigate, and I wanted to be able to travel to multiple countries during my time abroad.

That being said, I also wanted to go somewhere that was not one a typical tourist destination. After going to school in Pittsburgh for three years, I was ready to go somewhere warmer and near the water.

When I started looking through the locations offered by my school, I came across Academic Programs International (API) Dubrovnik. When I saw a picture of the city, I immediately knew that this is where I wanted to study, and when I learned that the program focuses on Diplomacy and Business, that sealed the deal.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

API was helpful and made me feel safe and prepared before and during my time in Croatia. Everything in regards to accommodations and transportation was taken care of before I arrived and I felt no stress when I arrived in Croatia.

My accommodation was simply amazing, and I shared a three bedroom apartment with two other girls from my program. The view from my apartment was incredible, and every day I woke up and looked off of my balcony in awe.

Our landlord provided us with everything we needed (dishes, sheets, towels, etc). We were located only a 5-10 minute walk from the University, and most of the other students in the program lived in the same building or a short 10 minute walk away.

The API Resident Directors were helpful with any and all questions I had regarding travel advice, problems with accommodations, and finding the best places to grocery shop. The Resident Directors are also employees at the university, and so they helped with class registration and other academic issues as well.

When it came time to organize things on my own, I felt very prepared by both the API U.S. staff and the on-site resident directors.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Definitely make sure to explore the entire city. Visit the areas outside of the Old Town and closer to the large neighborhoods of locals.

I wish I would have explored these areas at the beginning of my program. The apartments we stayed in were close to the Old Town, but are away from the main neighborhoods, so there were things that I missed out on for much of my time in Dubrovnik that I could have found if I had wandered out of the areas immediately surrounding the Old Town a bit sooner.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

During a typical day, I would wake up and eat breakfast on my beautiful balcony. If I had class that day I would go to class, often stopping at the bakery to pick up a sandwich for lunch.

Professors are flown in from all over the world, and so classes do not run on a typical schedule. Many classes will run every day for three weeks and then finish for the semester.

Class was usually around 3 hours long, with some sort of break for lunch or a snack. The class generally consisted of a lecture and some sort of student presentation or discussion.

After class I would often stop by the Konzum (a small grocery store) on my way home and then walk up 200 stairs to my apartment, where I would cook dinner and relax with my roommates before meeting up with other students from my program later that evening. On warm days we would meet up at the beach before and after class.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?

It is scary to fly across the world knowing that you'll be living somewhere for four months.

I think many study abroad students experience the same fears - language barriers, academic requirements of the local schools, standard of accommodations.

These were all things I was worried about, but also found exciting. All of these fears were relieved once I arrived in Croatia and got settled.

What was your favorite part of API Dubrovnik?

Only twenty-two Americans chose to study in Dubrovnik at the same time as me, and only around 100 students attend Dubrovnik International University. Because of this, we quickly got to know each other and became friends, despite coming from all different parts of the U.S. and a variety of majors and backgrounds.

We were also forced to step out of our comfort zones and interact with locals regularly. The locals were often eager and willing to engage in conversation, and we were able develop many relationships with local waiters, bartenders, and store employees.

It really made Dubrovnik feel like home when I could walk down the street and see familiar faces. This allowed us to learn about Croatian culture and everyday life, as we interacted with and learned from the people who lived there.

About API

College students may study abroad with API in over two dozen countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. With a wide variety of courses offered in almost every major discipline and in various languages of instruction, it is easy for students to find a program that suits their academic interests. API offers high quality...

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