RIT Students Embarked on a Study Abroad Adventure: Getting to Know Croatia through Ecology of the Dalmatian Coast & the Roots of the Croatian Wine Tradition

RIT Croatia’s Dubrovnik campus hosted a group of 14 students from RIT’s Rochester campus who enrolled at a four week study abroad program “Ecology of the Dalmatian Coast & the Roots of the Croatian Wine Tradition”. This immersive study abroad program provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the ecology of the Dalmatian Coast and delve into the rich roots of Croatian wine tradition.

The program began with three weeks of intensive classes where students had the chance to engage in interactive discussions and lectures, gaining in-depth knowledge about the ecology of the Dalmatian Coast. The classes were taught by Dr. Staša Puškarić, renowned scientist and faculty member at RIT Croatia, and Ksenija Matić, RIT Croatia alumna, co-owner of the Event Lab agency and a certified sommelier, who brought the subject to life, providing students with valuable insights and hands-on experiences.

To complement the classroom learning, the program included a series of attractive field trips. One of the highlights was a visit to Pelješac, a stunning peninsula known for its vineyards and winemaking traditions. The Konavle wine tour offered further exploration of Croatia's winemaking heritage, allowing students to taste exquisite wines and understand the nuances of their production. A visit to Vjetrenica cave, a natural wonder located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, provided a fascinating insight into the region's geology and biodiversity. Furthermore, the opportunity to explore Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exposed students to the city's rich history and cultural heritage.

The highpoint of the study abroad program was the sailing trip led by Dr. Puškarić. Setting sail to the captivating islands of Mljet, Lastovo, and Korčula, students had the opportunity to witness the coastal ecology firsthand. They explored pristine beaches, hiked through lush landscapes, and engaged in marine conservation activities. This immersive experience allowed students to appreciate the unique biodiversity of the Dalmatian Coast and comprehend the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Meleni Sarantos, a dual degrees major working towards her Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and her Master’s degree in material science, was one of RIT students taking part in this study abroad experience. Originally from Long Island, NY, Meleni always dreamed about studying abroad and RIT’s global campuses made it even more compelling to do so.

“I knew I wanted to go somewhere in the Mediterranean as my family originates from this area or the world. Also, I wanted to take courses I was really interested in, and learning about the ecology of the Dalmatian coast, as well as wine traditions, seemed like two incredibly interesting courses to take. These things motivated me to study abroad, as well as the desire to push myself out of my comfort zone as that is where growth happens”, said Meleni.

When asked about her experience of the classes she took here, Meleni said: “The classes with Dr. Puškarić and Ms. Matić have been phenomenal! Neither have been exactly what I expected, they have been so much better. Both professors are so kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful. The ecology class has been very informative and interesting and has applied to so many concepts beyond just Croatia, I truly feel we have learned so much. The wine traditions class has taught me an extensive amount about the creation of wine as well as tasting of wines. The class has been interesting, interactive, and overall a wonderful experience”.

Alina Muroski, a fourth year Political Science student at RIT, also loved her experience in Croatia. The best outcome for here were the people she has met along the way and the personal growth she has experienced on this trip. Her greatest personal learning outcome from this trip is becoming more independent as a person and navigating a place that she is not familiar with. 

“The program exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I did not prepare very well for this trip in regards to looking into the campus, and what I would be doing on this trip, but once I arrived it was easy to figure things out. RIT Croatia administrative staff were a great help on the first day of our classes; they gave very useful information. Lastly, the sights I have seen and the experiences I have gained here are more than I had expected, which made this trip amazing” said Alina.

Experiencing new environment always carries some challenges, no matter how well one prepares. Meleni shared some of her challenges: “As someone with bad anxiety, overcoming certain fears was a challenge while staying in Croatia. Being in a new place with new people was frightening at first, and even though we were told Dubrovnik was a very safe place, it was still hard to feel safe when walking around alone. It took me a long time to be able to comfortably travel alone as a woman in Europe, but I am glad that with time I was able to overcome this challenge”. 

For Alina, the language barrier was sometimes a challenge, and although majority of people in Croatia do speak English well, she sometimes ran into miscommunication.

Both Meleni and Alina would definitely recommend this study abroad experience to other students who are potentially seeking for an international study experience, but they both agree that students must make sure to be aware of the program details and expectations in order to embark on that experience as readily as possible.