Serbia Bosnia and Kosovo: Peace and Conflict Studies in the Balkans

Homestays

"The homestay experience was the cornerstone of the Balkans program. Every day after classes, I would come home to excited kids, a fresh meal, and a unique and intimate window into the life of my family. Aside from the wonderful relationships I built, the homestay also allowed me to merge my academic and personal life. On a typical day, I would exchange conversations with my Serbian host grandmother through an illustrated children's dictionary, broaching topics from politics to religion, cooking to house pets. These moments when my family and I struggled together in conversation gave me opportunities I would not have had on another program."

Jess Acosta, Colby College

Meeting a homestay family for the first time

Belgrade
Students will live with a host family in Belgrade for seven weeks. Students undertaking an Independent Study Project in Belgrade may extend their homestay by four weeks. A homestay may be arranged in other ISP locations, as well.

During the homestay in Belgrade, students will live with local families and may meet their hosts’ extended families in other parts of Serbia. Some homestay families have always lived in Belgrade while others have relocated to the city from other parts of the former Yugoslavia. Living with a host family greatly contributes to students’ understanding of the realities and challenges facing the Balkans today and provides an excellent opportunity to improve language skills.

Other accommodations during the program could include guesthouses or small hotels.