COMMUNITY & PUBLIC HEALTH IN CROATIA
with PCC & API in Summer 2025
EXPLORE COMMUNITY & HEALTH IN CROATIA!
Program Details
Where: Dubrovnik, Croatia
When: Summer 2025
Arrive in Dubrovnik: July 19th, 2025
Depart Dubrovnik: July 30th, 2025
Faculty Leader: Elona Casady
Academic Credit: HE 251: Community and Public Health (4 credits) [see details]
Info Session: TBA
Application Deadline: February 15, 2025
Itinerary Highlights
Activities & Excursions May Include:
- Join a guided tour of the stunning Dubrovnik City Walls and the historic Old Town.
- Participate in both a hands-on Croatian cooking class and a painting class with a local artist
- Take a day trip to Ston, featuring local wineries, an oyster farm, and historic saltworks.
- Engage in meaningful service projects with local NGOs and community groups.
- Attend insightful lectures on pressing public health topics in Croatia.
Program Itinerary
Please note that the cultural activities and excursions listed in this itinerary are subject to change depending on availability, weather, and other factors.
Saturday, 07/19/25
ARRIVAL DAY
Morning:
- Arrival into Dubrovnik
- API organized airport reception and transfer to program accommodations
- API cultural, health, and safety orientation
- Neighborhood walking tour
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Sunday, 07/20/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Guided walking tour of the Dubrovnik City Walls & Old Town
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
Free afternoon to rest or explore independently!
Evening:
- Croatian cooking class/API organized welcome dinner
Monday, 07/21/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Guest Lecture: The Medieval Public Health System in Croatia (to be confirmed)
- Faculty debrief session
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Visit to Lokrum Island
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Tuesday, 07/22/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Guest Lecture: The Public Health Issues of Obesity & the Homeless community in Croatia (to be confirmed)
- Faculty debrief session
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Service Learning Activity: Healthy Eating Workshop with nutritionist (to be confirmed)
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Wednesday, 07/23/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Free day to explore Dubrovnik independently!
- Suggested activities include: Lopud Island, Gradac Park, Uvala Lapad promenade, kayaking around the city, Cavtat
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Thursday, 07/24/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Guest Speaker: “Life Under the Siege” – Learn about life living under the Siege of Dubrovnik through private and personal stories shared by API staff as you travel via cable car up Srdj Hill.
- Visit to the Homeland War Museum
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Linđo Traditional Dance Lesson
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Friday, 07/25/25
DAY TRIP: STON
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- API organized day trip to Ston, including visits to local
winery, oyster farm, and saltworks company
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own in Ston
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Saturday, 07/26/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Painting class with local artist in Konavle
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Free afternoon
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Sunday, 07/27/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Free day to explore Dubrovnik independently!
- Suggested activities include: Lopud Island, Gradac Park, Uvala Lapad promenade, kayaking around the city, Cavtat
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Monday, 07/28/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Guest Lecture: Immigration and Refugee Integration in
Croatian Society (to be confirmed) - Faculty debrief session
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Visit with Desa women’s refugee NGO
Evening:
- Dinner on own
Tuesday, 07/29/25
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Service Learning Activity: Presentation and Living Library with Lukjernica Mental Health Support Group (to be confirmed)
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Student Final Presentations (classroom space provided)
Evening:
- API organized group farewell dinner
Wednesday, 07/30/25
DEPARTURE DAY
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- API organized group airport transfer for departure
What’s Included
Transportation & Travel Documents
- One group airport pick-up and drop off in Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Ground transportation on all program activities, as necessary
- Local transportation card
Not Included:
- International airfare to and from the United States
- Passport processing fees
- Visa processing fees
- Luggage fees
Housing & Meals
Housing:
- Accommodation in shared occupancy student dorms for program duration: bed linens, towels, cleaning, and internet access included
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns regarding housing, please contact Anne Frey with Education Abroad.
Included Meals:
- Daily breakfast
- Group welcome meal
- Group farewell meal
- One group lunch
Not Included:
- Any meals not specified nor listed as “included” on the itinerary
Health & Safety
All students will receive comprehensive health & safety information closer to the program start date.
International Health Insurance:
- All students will receive medical insurance coverage through API as part of the program fee.
- API’s insurance provider is Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI).
- Insurance benefits include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, as well as coverage in the event of a serious security incident or natural disaster. Likewise, the policy provides coverage for political, security and natural disaster evacuation services.
PCC Advising
For more informaton please utilized the appropriate resource below:
- General study abroad information: PCC Education Abroad
- Information on application, finance, or process questions: [email protected]
- Information about Tuscania program details, course information, or activities: Elona Casady [email protected]
Course Information
Summer 2025: Class begins prior to travel.
HE251 Community and Public Health (4 credits)
Examines the socio-economic, behavioral, biological, environmental, and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities. Investigates basic processes, concepts, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations. Provides an overview and history of the health system and the role of local, state, federal, and global public health entities in health promotion and disease prevention. Explores career opportunities in public health. May include community-based learning.
Prerequisites: WR 115 and RD 115 or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement
Meet the Professor:
Elona Casady
Elona has been teaching for 15 years at PCC and is a life-long educator. She has traveled to over 20 countries and aims to spread her love for cross-cultural learning. She has taken PCC students on two study abroad trips and led one online study abroad during the lockdown of Covid-19. She took students to Cuba and Japan and had very successful trips.
She has a background teaching outdoor education with Outward Bound and the US Forest Service. She loves experiential learning and intersecting traditional academics with lived experiences. She is passionate about promoting a wide perspective of the world and cultivating growth in her students through study abroad. She feels strongly that study abroad helps create global citizens with a greater capacity for social empathy and the skills to work towards social justice. She loves the outdoors, art, playing the piano and reading.
Financing Your Trip
Financial Aid
Federal and state financial aid can be applied towards any PCC Education Abroad program, and any program through the co-enrollment agreement with PSU.
Because each student’s financial aid situation is unique, we recommend that you contact the Financial Aid Office as your first step, to find out what is available. Make sure your file for your FAFSA in October.
Please complete the following form to connect with Melinda Leiva from Financial Aid. Once you complete this form, you should receive a response from Financial Aid within one week. It is great to do this step as early as possible!
Scholarships
There are numerous scholarship and aid opportunities specifically designed to help you fund your education abroad experience.
Helpful Scholarship Resources:
- Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay – Tips
- Information on Requesting Letters of Recommendation
- Request for a Letter of Recommendation – Template
- Gilman Scholarship Application Instructions
Also, did you know that PCC is one of the top producing Gillman Scholarship recipients for the community college category, with about a 65% acceptance rate!
GETTING STARTED
To begin your journey to Croatia, please complete this online form to be connected with an advisor and to learn about your next steps!
I'm Ready to Apply now!
How to Apply:
- For step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a study abroad program, please click here to watch a video tutorial.
What to Expect When Applying
Eligibility Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older by program start date.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing.
- Prerequisites for the course(s) included in the program to which you are applying.
- Attend an Education Abroad First Steps Information Session.
Application Timeline:
- Applications for Summer 2025 will open in September 2024
- Deadline: February 15, 2025
Cancellation & Withdrawal Policy:
- The program deposit is non-refundable, unless the program is cancelled.
- Read the full Cancellation and Withdrawal Policy here.
GET MORE INFO
Contact PCC Education Abroad:
For more informaton please utilized the appropriate resource below:
- General study abroad information: PCC Education Abroad
- Information on application, finance, or process questions: [email protected]
- Information about Rome program details, course information, or activities: Elona Casady [email protected]
Why API
API offers best-in-class programming, with student well-being a high priority.
Our mission is to create better global citizens through international experiential learning. API programs are developed to be transformative, career-boosting experiences that include:
- Community involvement through optional volunteer programs with API Gives Back
- Cultural awareness through relevant coursework and time spent in multicultural student groups
- High-touch student support throughout the program
About API
Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. Their extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. They strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
API is committed to providing enriching international experiences to its participants. We believe in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.