Undertaking and Championing global education to Inspire Minds
Committed to Quality
Memorable experience for our participants
Championing Global Education
Helping students abroad
In recent years, people from around the world have been attracted to Croatia, because of its beautiful natural amenities, ancient sites, gastronomical offerings, and affordability. It is a special region steeped with beautiful people, places, and traditions. For all these reasons and more, UCIM-Abroad has chosen Croatia as our campus to offer a global, higher education experience in economics and business. In the Croatian language “učim” can be translated as “I am learning” or “I am studying.” For us, UCIM is an acronym that describes what we do:
Undertaking and Championing global education to Inspire Minds
UCIM-Abroad was established by Dr. Rita Balaban, who, during her tenure as an economics professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led four student groups to Croatia during the summer of 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. These five-week summer programs were held in the coastal town of Split and grew very popular with students because of the educational and cultural experiences, location, and affordability. Program enrollment was consistently at capacity. Recognizing the significant personal and academic growth her students experienced while studying abroad, Dr. Balaban retired from UNC-Chapel Hill in July 2023 to dedicate herself fully to promoting global education in Croatia through the founding of UCIM-Abroad.
“As a third-generation Croatian-American, it has been incredibly rewarding to share my grandparents’ homeland with my students, expose them to the culture, and witness their love for the country while consistently delivering a high-quality education. I founded UCIM-Abroad because I want to extend this opportunity to more students.”
– Rita Balaban, Founder and CEO of UCIM-Abroad
Committed to quality programming, affordability, and student well-being, UCIM-Abroad delivers global education while promoting a safe and memorable experience for our participants.
Priority on Student Health and Safety
The health and safety of our program participants are paramount at UCIM-Abroad. We are committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for all students participating in our international programs. We monitor safety and security issues in Croatia, carefully select the excursion sites and screen the student housing locations. We provide health and safety information to participants in the pre-departure stage, during orientation, and we are available on-site 24/7 to handle emergencies. By prioritizing their well-being, we create a foundation for a positive and enriching educational journey abroad.
Affordable Opportunities that Promote Diversity
We place a high priority on affordability and student diversity, recognizing these as pivotal elements in fostering an inclusive and accessible educational environment. We are dedicated to promoting that financial constraints do not hinder anyone’s pursuit of knowledge, providing a range of affordable options tailored to meet the needs of students from diverse economic backgrounds and populations. Additionally, we celebrate and actively promote student diversity, understanding that a rich tapestry of perspectives enhances learning experiences and prepares our students for success in an increasingly globalized world.
Deep-Rooted Connections
One of our company’s key advantages is the strong relationships we have cultivated with Croatia and its people. These deep-rooted connections offer unique insights and opportunities, providing participants with an immersive, authentic experience that enhances our programs, fosters mutual respect and understanding, and enriches the educational journey for everyone involved.
