Behavioral Sciences in Croatia with Professor Kori Ryan

ariel view of the coast in Croatia

Spring Break

March 2026

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Total Price: TBD

PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Pending financial aid does not cover study abroad payments. Please call Student Accounts for more details at 978.665.4126.

HMSV 1200: Global Caring and Helping  LA&S Designations: Integrated High Impact Practice (IHIP) AIA The course will be a hybrid course where the students will meet synchronously with one in person meeting.

This course with Professor Kori Ryan focuses on international/diverse approaches to social and human services. One of the program's main focuses will be on trauma and "Living under the Siege" discussions. During this experience, students take the cable car to the War Museum on the Hill Srd above Dubrovnik. The on-site staff will share their personal experiences of "Living under the Siege" followed by discussions with students/Professor Ryan. Students will also be exposed to a war veterans meeting and work with a local NGO that is focused on improving mental health of Croatia's vulnerable populations. The program will provide students the opportunity to be exposed to Croatian culture and how social issues can be viewed/confronted in the Balkans. Students will be visiting breathtaking churches, monasteries, palaces, open-air markets in Old Town, have free time and experience a day trip to a nearby island.

Please contact inthelp@fitchburgstate.edu and Professor Kori Ryan at kryan33@fitchburgstate.edu for more information.

View this presentation to learn more about the program

Sample Itinerary from 2024 trip

Saturday, March 9 Morning: Arrival into Dubrovnik, API organized airport reception and transfer to program accommodations
Afternoon: API cultural, health, and safety orientation, neighborhood walking tour
Evening: API organized group welcome dinner, overnight in Dubrovnik
Sunday, March 10 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, free morning
Afternoon: Lunch on own, Tour the Cathedral, Palace, and Monastery of Dubrovnik city walls
Evening: Dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Monday, March 11 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, Youth Center visit with Guest Lecture Anja Markovic, Head of Youth Center (an association of 10 NGOs working on different community projects, with a focus on education)
Afternoon: Lunch on own
Evening: Painting class with Modern art museum, dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Tuesday, March 12 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, Living under the Siege. During this experience, we take the cable car to War Museum on the Hill Srd above Dubrovnik. Our Resident Directors share their personal experiences Living under the Siege and discuss student's questions.
Afternoon: Lunch on own
Evening: Free evening, dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Wednesday, March 13 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, Lukjernica visit: NGO organization that is established to help people with mental and emotional health
Afternoon: Lunch on own, Lukjernica related activity and debrief
Evening: Dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Thursday, March 14 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, War veterans meeting
Afternoon: Lunch on own
Evening: Dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Friday, March 15 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, Local Exploration Day: Choose to relax at a cafe, visit Markets, or explore according to your interest based on suggestions from our Resident Directors. A great option to explore: Gunduliceva Poljana (Gundulic Square) is the open-air market in the Old Town with stalls full of seasonal fruits as well as other local products like dried lavender, lavender oil, locally produced treats.
Afternoon: Lunch on own
Evening: Dinner on own, overnight in Dubrovnik
Saturday, March 16 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations
Afternoon: Lunch on own, free day
Evening: Dinner on own, free day
Sunday, March 17 Morning: Breakfast at accommodations, API Organized Airport departure

Questions? Get in touch!

Contact the instructor and program advisor, Kori Ryan at kryan33@fitchburgstate.edu or 978.665.4148 for more information.