Part of the studying abroad process is meeting with students who have gone abroad in the past so that they can share their experiences as well as provide us with advice and more. One of things that I kept hearing from the students is how important it is to become a part of the culture in the country you are studying in. Especially with people who have studied abroad in Europe, it is easy to forget that part of the study abroad experience is getting to know the natives and integrating into the city. Due to the fact that it is so easy to travel from country to country in Europe, a lot of people do not spend enough weekends in their country to get the full experience. I definitely plan on traveling to other European countries, but, I want to get to know the Croatian culture and hopefully become a part of their community. To do this I plan on not only putting myself out there in the city I am staying in, but I also want to travel around the rest of the country in order to get the most out of my trip.

The Dubrovnik City walls are a world-renowned iconic symbol of the white stone beauty, which is why Dubrovnik is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Croatia is known for its beautiful views, amazing beaches, rich history and more and I intend on taking full advantage of everything the country has to offer. I will be living in the most popular tourist destination in Croatia, Dubrovnik, so I plan on exploring the city throughout my entire time there. I will be staying right near one of the most popular travel destinations in the city, the old city walls, so I will be able to experience that in the colder months when I first get there, as well as during the warmer months towards the end of my trip. Another place I plan on visiting near Dubrovnik is Lokrum. Lokrum is a beautiful, forested Island that is a popular swimming spot.

There is a lot to see on Lokrum Island, which is just a 10 minute boat ride from Dubrovnik, including, nude beaches, peacocks, and even the Iron Throne for Game of Thrones fans.

One place I plan on visiting is Plitvice Lakes National Park located near the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the largest national park in Croatia and the pictures of it are enough of a reason to visit this gorgeous destination.

There are 16 different lakes in Plitvice National park and swimming in them is strictly forbidden. 

I also plan on traveling to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. It is known for its culture, arts, music, and gastronomy. One thing the city is known for is the fact that it has the biggest number of museums per square meter. I used to hate all types of museums but for some reason I have loved almost every museum experience I have had in a European country and intend on visiting a few while I’m there, especially the famous Museum of Broken Relationships where they celebrate the loss of love in unusual ways.

People from all over the world donate their reminders of heartbreak.