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School of Social Work
Indiana University
SWK 404/604

Croatia: Social Work Practice in Postwar Communities

Program Date: May 13-27, 2027 - Apply by November 15 for priority admission consideration. Only admitted students are eligible to apply for the Elsa M. Iverson International Travel Scholarship. Applications received after November 15 will be reviewed as space and funding permit.

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Social Work Practice in Post-War Communities

This course targets students interested in developing an in-depth understanding of community practice in regions affected by war. Specifically, IU School of Social Work faculty, in collaboration with the PRONI Centre for Social Education from the City of Osijek, Croatia, and the University of Osijek, Department of Social Work, will provide a comprehensive service-learning experience that links war-torn community service providers with the IUSSW and the University of Osijek faculty and students.

Rustic buildings in Vukovar
Students enrolled in this class have the opportunity to engage with local community actors involved in community development in the Slavonia region, an area severely affected by the 1990s Croatia War of Independence. As our communities are increasingly impacted by human-made disasters, children, families, and especially marginalized groups are becoming more susceptible to global social problems. Therefore, it is crucial for social work students to understand global issues and their implications for local communities, whether abroad or at home, and to collaborate with international and global community partners to design appropriate interventions.

I never understood the importance of being a global citizen until this trip. It opened my eyes to how having a wider knowledge of the world creates empathy, cross cultural awareness, critical thinking, and adaptability.

McKenzie Urbina, MSW Student Croatia 2024

Program Overview

This is an international service-learning course focused on community practice in post-war context.

Provides hands-on experience with community organizations/NGOs active in post-war local development in the Slavonia region.

Field excursion focused on local culture and the Croatian War of Independence.

Woman paints a metal fence blue

Six pre-departure seminars, during which students have the opportunity to learn theories and approaches to community reconstruction and community development; two weeks in-country experience in Croatia, and one virtual post-travel seminar.

The two weeks in Croatia will expose students to the consequences of the war and its impact on the wellbeing of communities.

While in Croatia, IU students, along with community development actors from the PRONI Centre for Social Education, will have the opportunity to learn and work together during seminars and assignments.

PRONI Centre for Social Education is an extraordinary Croatian NGO that has worked for more than one decade to minimize the ethnic division among youth and create an environment in which young people can rebuild safe and long lasting communities.

Through the PRONI Centre for Social Education students will have an opportunity to interact and work with local students from University of Osijek.

The lectures will take place at the headquarters of PRONI Centre for Social Education in Osijek, Croatia.

One field trip to the Danube and the region of Osijek/Vukovar will be planned for a weekend.

This course will serve as an elective for undergraduate and graduate social work students, or other majors on IU campuses.

The available coursework is particularly suited for, but not necessarily limited to, the following academic interests: Social Work, Sociology, Public Affairs and Administration, and Political Science.

A group of 10 students posing on an outdoor deck

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate or graduate students in the IU system in social work, sociology, SPEA, political science and other disciplines with an interest in social developmental and community development
  • In good academic standing: graduate students must have a 3.0 minimum GP A and undergraduate students must have a 2.75 GPA
A group of students posting around steps that they painted

Anticipated Cost

Estimated Cost: $3,921 + standard tuition
Expenses include:

  • airfare
  • accommodations
  • meals
  • transportation
  • program fees/costs.
A group of people eating family style a group of people cooking in the kitchen a group of people painting a wall white

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