The University of Zagreb, in an initiative aimed at preserving Croatian cultural heritage abroad, recently launched a full scholarship program for an online Croatian language course intended for descendants of Croats residing in South America. The measure aims to strengthen linguistic and identity ties between Croatia and diaspora communities in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.

The program will provide ten scholarships for the European summer semester, allowing participants to learn the language from any location with internet access.

Classes will be taught by professors from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb, one of Croatia’s most prestigious institutions. In addition to the language, the course will also cover historical and cultural aspects, providing a comprehensive education on Croatian identity.

The selection of participants will be based on the degree of Croatian ancestry, personal motivation, and current level of language proficiency. The application period was open, with the deadline for submissions having closed at the end of May.

The initiative is part of a broader Croatian government policy aimed at integrating communities of Croatian origin around the world, promoting the language as a tool for connection between generations.

With a growing presence of Croatian descendants in Latin America interested in reconnecting with their roots, the university hopes the program will help not only to strengthen cultural ties but also to encourage future academic collaborations and exchange opportunities.

Croatia, increasingly projecting itself as a country with an active diaspora, bets on the language as an essential link between the past and the future of its people scattered around the world.

Read more: https://www.unizg.hr/homepage/

Source: University of Zagreb