CROATIA
Applications for Croatia Program Year 2025 Are Open!
Program Dates for 2025: June 17th – August 11th
ORIENTATION
SPLIT, CROATIA
MIDPOINT
PULA, CROATIA
CLOSING
ŠIBENIK, CROATIA
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Koprivnica-Krizevci county region (inland); Zadar county region (coastal)
- Language Requirement: None
- Setting: Rural and small town
- Duration: 7 weeks
- Volunteers: 6-8
- Living Conditions: Modern
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
The program will begin with a five-day orientation in Split, the largest city along Croatia's Dalmatian coast. During orientation, volunteers will be introduced to the vibrancy of Eastern European culture and discuss teaching strategies with the Program Directors and other volunteers. While the purpose of orientation remains to ensure that volunteers familiarize themselves with the most effective and appropriate teaching practices, there is ample time to explore this incredible city. Some highlights of orientation in Split include exploring Diocletian's Palace, relaxing on the beautiful beaches, and taking a day trip to the local island of Hvar.
Following orientation, volunteers will depart to their teaching locations, where they will stay for seven weeks. Midway through, the group will gather for a quick weekend trip in the charming Istrian city of Pula. There, they'll explore the ancient city, visit the iconic Pula Arena—a remarkable Roman amphitheater—enjoy the stunning beaches, and visit nearby places like Rovinj—all while undoubtedly planning their return to this beautiful country. During this midpoint break, volunteers can share stories, exchange teaching tips, and enjoy some well-deserved R&R before embarking on the second half of the adventure.
After seven weeks of teaching, we’ll close out the trip to Šibenik, the oldest Croatian town along the Adriatic coast. Activities will include sharing a Croatian meal and exploring the vibrant city square while soaking in the rich culture of this fascinating destination. Closing ceremony is a memorable moment for reflection on the challenges and successes of the past seven weeks, LE’s mission, and the personal growth each volunteer is sure to experience in their own capacity. It is an opportunity to bond again with the other volunteers, some of whom may travel together after the program and many of whom will become lifelong friends.
THE IDEAL VOLUNTEER
- Open-minded: Volunteers should be able to recognize and understand cultural and social norms and differences to better relate to and appreciate the community they’re in
- Enthusiastic: Volunteers should have a genuine desire to want to help the children learn and build genuine connections with not only the students but the community as a whole
- Independent: Volunteers should feel comfortable taking the lead in the classroom and be responsible enough to teach lessons by themselves or with co-teacher without supervision
- Outgoing/Energetic: The kids are very high energy and excited to learn and play and will have lots of questions about American culture. Volunteer should be high energy and creative enough to make class fun and entertaining for the students
- Adaptable: Each grade and student has a different skill level and knowledge of English. Most of the time volunteers might have to improvise the lesson day of, due to skill level or attendance. Volunteers should be prepared to change lesson plans to better suit the students and their interest
HOST COMMUNITY
Villages Stays: Volunteers living in Croatian villages will either live in an apartment or B&B. Either way, it will be one of the most defining and gratifying experiences you will have during the Croatia program. Volunteers will be located on the seaside in Biograd na Moru or Sveti Filip i Jakov. Village stays vary in style, amount of free time, and local activities. What these experiences share, though, is that certain Eastern European charm. It is the best way to experience authentic Eastern Europe culture on a deeper level than any tourist. Volunteers are encourage to explore the local sites with other volunteers placed seaside. All village stays will abound in liveliness and, of course, food. You will find it difficult to say goodbye after seven weeks.
Sunny Village Camp: Set in beautiful, rural Croatia, the Sunny Village Camp in Jagnjedovec brings together children aged 8 to 12 from Croatia and surrounding countries for an English language experience. As a counselor, you will help in running typical camp activities that focus on the development of participants’ English language skills. You will work alongside Helena Hecimovic, the camp director who has supported LE for 23 years and counting, in addition to other college-age counselors from Croatia. The camp has comfortable lodging and showers, and all meals are provided. Volunteers here should be prepared for long days; you may be working from 8 AM to 10 PM! Past camp volunteers have enjoyed working with the enthusiastic children and have appreciated the opportunity the camp provides in connecting with Croatians their own age.
TEACHING
Volunteers always cite their experiences in the classroom as the most rewarding component of the program. Volunteers in village stays will be expected to teach for about three to five hours a day, five days a week. Most students are divided by age group, thus volunteers teach multiple classes per day. Number of students varies by season and age group, but will rarely exceed 20. Your teaching locations will be local, and may include schools, a language club, a city hall, a theater, a community center. The majority of placements will have basic teaching materials such as whiteboards, markers, and pencils, and some may even have construction paper and a laptop and projector. While Learning Enterprises will provide you with teaching ideas, you will have complete freedom in determining how to run your classes and the curriculum you prioritize.
LE encourages volunteers to teach creatively. If you love to sing, teach your kids the words to your favorite song then have the class write and perform an original rap. If you love to act, hold a drama festival on the last day and invite the entire village. It’s your classroom, your world! The students you will be teaching relish the opportunity to study with a native English speaker. The older students recognize the value in learning an important international language and eagerly ask about English colloquialisms and American culture. For the younger students, simply interacting with a native English speaker helps transform the language from work sheets and verb conjugations into something more real. There is nothing more rewarding than watching your students grow and learn. Even if your students aren’t exactly fluent by the end of the summer you may have ignited their interest in English and language, and have helped them to dream big about their futures.
SOME AWESOME THINGS ABOUT CROATIA!
- The lucky people of Croatia enjoy 2,715 hours of sunshine a year!
- Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again was filmed on Vis, a small island in Croatia. Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and some episodes of Game of Thrones were also filmed in Croatia.
- Now one of the largest film festivals in Europe, the Sarajevo Film Festival draws more than 100,000 visitors per year and was established in 1995 after the end of the war.
- The world’s smallest town named Hum is located in Croatia. The town holds a Guinness World Record and has a population of about 17-30 people!
- Croatia is one of LE's oldest programs (formerly Croatia-Romania).
MEET YOUR PROGRAM DIRECTORS,
EMERY KOMLOS AND SAYLER GENTRY!
Emery and Sayler had an unforgettable summer in Croatia in 2024! Emery served at both Sunny Village Camp in Koprivnica and Biograd na Moru, while Sayler served in Biograd. They are both excited to return to Croatia and share their love for this beautiful country with the new volunteers!
Interested applicants can contact Emery and Sayler at croatia@learningenterprises.org.
Follow our Croatia Instagram account for the latest updates, and explore our past experiences to see what your time with us could look like!