written by: Hannah Spangler, Gordon College Fall ‘21 Cohort
Choosing a place to study abroad is no small feat. There are so many things to take into consideration. What’s the program? What will you study? Is this country safe? What language do they speak? Will you live with a host family? A dorm? How much is this going to cost? Will you even like this place you’ve never been to? Why should you go? These are just a few of the questions I asked myself and was asked when choosing where I would study abroad. I had never left the United States (except for 6 hours in Juárez Mexico, but I don’t really count that). I was an International Affairs major who had never traveled internationally. Deciding where to study abroad was of the utmost importance to me. I had to make this experience count. I wanted to study somewhere with an old and rich history. I wanted to study something that related to my major of International Affairs. I wanted to learn more about people who are different from me. I wanted to study somewhere beautiful. After evaluating all the programs offered to me at my college, I finally decided that the Balkans Semester at the European Center for the Study of War and Peace checked all the boxes. I applied, was accepted, and am currently loving every minute of it.
As I reflect on why I am enjoying the experience in Croatia, I return to the question I was constantly asked leading up to my semester abroad: Why are you going there? Well, the Balkans Semester is an interesting program and what I am learning here is vitally important. Croatia’s history and culture is rich and deep. Someone back home asked me why I was studying in Croatia if I could take philosophy, literature, and history classes in the States. It is true that you can take a Balkans history and politics course in America but being present in the place you are studying changes your perspective. Sophia Notter, a 2019 ECSWP alumna, shared her experience on this matter,
“…looking back I realize how meaningful it was to talk to local peacekeepers in Croatia and Bosnia and hear first-hand about their experiences and their work after the conflict. This was something that I felt wasn't very present in my classes and was a very unique experience that added a lot to the topics we were studying.”
The opportunity to be present in the place you are studying is truly invaluable.
“Whether in Zagreb, Vis, or wherever the Program takes you, you will always have the honor of engaging with the local culture and people. I found it most meaningful to relate with friendly-faces-turned-friends. Discussing the matter of home with a fellow regular at a cafe; unpacking life’s mysteries with an islander on his boat; dancing to classic rock with a neighbor on his dock; learning how wine was prepared in ancient-Greece from an avuncular do-all; and many other cherished engagements were radically formative.”
- Courtney Stulzfus, 2020 ECSWP Alumna
As someone who had very little knowledge about Croatia and the Balkans, and we’re talking VERY little knowledge (I thought Croatia was a part of the Soviet Union, big mistake), by studying in this program I have gained insights that cannot be gained from a textbook. During the program you have the opportunity to speak with people who lived through the war in the region. For instance, we were taught by a Bosnian woman, professional peacemaker Amra Pandžo. She told us her story, how she lived through and survived the war in her country, including a four-year siege in the city of Sarajevo, and how during this time she grew personally, spiritually and even professionally.
As you talk to people who lived through violent conflicts in the Balkans, you realize that textbooks drastically oversimplify things and are unable to truly capture the tragedy of war. Hearing personal experiences is entirely different from reading an article about the war. This is especially the case for those of us coming from America with no actual experience of the realities of war on our turf. On the other hand, when we are able to enter more fully into the nuances of pain, tragedy but also resilience and creativity of individuals and communities in war times, we begin to see the world through new eyes. While the themes addressed during the program can be challenging intellectually and emotionally (You can’t just close your textbook and watch some tik toks to get it out of your head), not shying away from the difficult realities of human violence in the end makes us empathetic, open minded and more resilient and creative people who are better equipped to interact peacefully with others.
One of my favorite aspects of the program is the small cohort style learning environment. You will never face challenging matters alone, you have your cohort.The size of the group you study with allows for rich and involved conversations. When asked what was most meaningful about the program, 2019 alumnus Andrew Wilson said this,
“One of the more meaningful parts of the program, obvious but overlooked, is the group learning and conversation. Our group was diverse in interests and background, so it was interesting to see the Balkans with them.”
I can’t help but agree with Andrew. The cohort has become an essential part of my academic experience at the Balkans Semester. Studying with a small group is not an opportunity many college students get, and it offers a new way to learn. There is no crowded lecture hall where you are so far in the back you can’t read the chalkboard, just a table and chairs where students can freely share their ideas and opinions. Your peers aren’t just there for you academically. They help you through your emotional and spiritual needs as well. Studying abroad is inevitably stressful. The importance of having a support group cannot be stressed enough, and with ECSWP it comes with the program.
I am so excited for the final month of my program here in Croatia and can’t wait to see where this program takes me in the future. Past alumni have done amazing things. Andrew Wilson is currently working with a non-profit that is fighting genocide around the world. For Courtney Stulzfus, her love for philosophy was sparked here and she is currently pursuing her MA in philosophy in Dublin. A love for the pursuit of justice is instilled in those who come through this program. As cliché as it sounds, it is truly life changing.