Session Description: We will explore the history and culture of southeastern Europe and former Yugoslavia within the context of the Balkan war, which took place from 1991-1995. You will be provided with some historical context followed by an open conversation held by Nada Raic and Ivana Bajurin, API Croatia Resident Directors, who were teenagers at the time. They will share their personal experiences about their daily life (family, school, food, etc.), the conflicted emotions (hate, misery, fear, love) and the survival and coping strategies they learned. Do not miss the opportunity to learn about a conflict that took place in the heart of Europe not long ago from 2 women that experienced it first-hand, and who, despite the difficulties, have cultivated a fantastic sense of humor!

Presenters’ Bios: 

Nada Raic –  Nada was born in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1976. She spent her childhood in a multiethnic environment where Croats, Bosnian and Serbs lived peacefully. She was attending medical high school when the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina started. She lived under siege for two months after which she seeked refuge in North Dalmatia. She graduated in 2000 with a double Masters degree in Philosophy and History of Croatian Culture. She was part of the team who established the 1 st private University in southeastern Europe in the early 2000s. Nada has spent her entire career in the field of International Education, and has worked for API since 2013. Her special interest is interfaith and intercultural dialogue. She loves to travel and meet new people.

Ivana Bajurin – Ivana was born in 1977 in Dubrovnik, Croatia (ex-Yugoslavia). As a child of diplomats, she spent several years living in Havana (Cuba) and later in Trieste (Italy). Her experiences living and being educated abroad fostered her interest in different cultures and languages. She returned to Dubrovnik in 1991 and enrolled in high school when the 4-year war started. Her house was damaged during the bombardment and she was forced to seek refuge first in Slovenia and later in Austria. After getting a BA degree in the Faculty of Tourism, Ivana worked for the largest Croatian travel agency in Dubrovnik. She has worked with API for 7 years, loves her job and the opportunity to engage with younger generations.

Pilar Llamas (Moderator) – Pilar Llamas is a native southern Spaniard (Almería). She has spent the last 20+ years linked to international education and particularly to study abroad where she has been directly responsible for running programs on-site in Granada (Spain) and for the development of programs and training of Resident Directors in multiple countries with API. Her study abroad experience, first in England and later in the U.S. while earning an MA degree, profoundly influenced her career and life. Her firm belief that the exposure to other cultures has a deep positive impact on the world has been the engine that has fueled her career and her life.

Register/Join Zoom session: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYufu6gqzMvHNDZQwz1QGV5mta-Y7kzYItv

Co-sponsored by: The Roukema Center for International Education, the George T. Potter Library, Ramapo Provost Office, and Academic Programs International (API).