University School of Croatian Language & Culture opens
Text by: Tamara Dagen
The University School of Croatian Language & Culture staged its opening ceremony June 28th in the hall of the dean's building. The event has been jointly organised for many years by the University of Zagreb and the Croatian Heritage Foundation. The participants were greeted at the opening ceremony by the vice dean for international and inter-institutional cooperation at the University of Zagreb, Professor Ksenija Turković DSc, the head of the department for education, science and sports at the Croatian Heritage Foundation Lada Kanajet Šimić and by the director of the University School of Croatian Language & Culture, Professor Zrinka Jelaska DSc. 43 participants from 17 European and overseas countries (USA, Canada, Sweden, Australia, Great Britain, France, Lithuania, Switzerland, Spain, Japan, Poland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary) are participating in this year's University School of Croatian Language & Culture. As in previous years six of the participants are from partner universities in Vienna, Pécs, Prague, Toronto and Vilnius, on scholarships provided by the University of Zagreb. The programme of the University School of Croatian Language & Culture consists of academic and culture segments during which the participants learn Croatian (110 classes) and visit museums, galleries, theatres and various culture and education institutions. The participants of the school attend five mandatory Croatian language classes every day from Monday to Friday, consisting of separate classes in grammar and lectures where grammar is taught and practised, the vocabulary expanded, communication abilities developed and reading, writing, listening and speaking skills improved. The participants tour Zagreb and take organised excursions in the frame of the culture segment of the programme. At the end of the academic programme the participants write a final exam in Croatian consisting of a written and oral part, after which they are awarded the diploma of the University School of Croatian Language & Culture and a certificate with their grades. The University School of Croatian Language & Culture officially started its work on Saturday, June 26th. Classes are held at the Cvjetno naselje student dormitory complex.
