“Over 5 years later, and a week hasn’t gone by where I haven’t talked about my study abroad experience in Croatia. Dr. Balaban’s passion for the culture, subject matters, and her students made for a world-class experience that resulted in lifelong memories and friendships. I’d do it all over again if I could in a heartbeat – best few weeks of my college experience by far!”

– Davis Dawson (UNC Economics in Croatia, 2018)

“I participated in the Economics Study Abroad in Croatia in the summer of 2019 with a cohort from UNC Chapel Hill. I did not know anyone who had previously been to Croatia and was curious how an Economics study abroad would function. I was blown away. Teaming up with the Faculty of Economics in Split, Croatia, we took two rigorous courses on the Economics of Sports and European Economic Integration that were perfectly selected for living in Croatia. In addition to our classroom learning, Dr. Balaban furthered our instruction with trips to different parts of the country to witness first-hand what we were studying in the classroom. We went to unforgettable places including Brač, Istria, and Dubrovnik through the lens of deepening our understanding of classroom instruction. She was very intentional about pairing outside experiences with what we were learning at the Faculty of Economics in Split. Dr. Balaban’s love for the country and its culture ignited the same passion in all of us, and we spent every moment taking in all the new experiences we could. Croatia is a beautiful country with so much adventure, and there was never a need to travel anywhere else. This was the best part of my college experience and would recommend it to every student studying economics!”

– Luke Eggleston (UNC Economics in Croatia, 2019)

“Attending Dr. Balaban’s Split study abroad program is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program gives the opportunity to live like a local – experiencing everything from Diocletian’s palace to the local farmer’s market – providing a rich cultural experience from the very beginning. The coursework and field trips were incredibly rewarding and provided top-tier learning experiences that helped me move forward in my degree. My time in Split has given me lifelong friendships (3 of us from my cohort live three blocks apart in Washington DC!), a deep love for Croatian culture, and memories I will never forget.”

– Bridget MacPherson (UNC Economics in Croatia, 2019)

“Studying abroad in Croatia was truly the highlight of my college years! Having the opportunity to experience the Croatian culture and explore the Adriatic Coast was one I would not trade for anything. During my time in Croatia, I not only had the pleasure of meeting kind and welcoming locals but also developing relationships with my fellow classmates with whom I made countless memories that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I also enjoyed receiving exceptional academic instruction in a smaller setting, which was a nice break from the large lecture halls of my university back home. If I ever had the chance to do this program again, it would be the easiest decision of my life. “

– Russell Warren (UNC Economics in Croatia, 2022)

“Studying economics in an international setting not only gave me a better academic understanding of the global economy, but also a cultural perspective that challenged my preconceptions and broadened my worldview. Living in Croatia, along with interactive, outside the classroom activities that encouraged engaging with diverse viewpoints, taught me the importance of adaptability and open-mindedness – and what better place to gain these insights than the stunning Adriatic coast!”

– Smith Winborne (UNC Economics in Croatia, 2022)