Just three months into their exchange experience, seven American high school students on the YES Abroad program in Bosnia and Herzegovina have experienced Bosnian culture firsthand through life with their host families, participating in community service, attending local high schools, and learning the local language.
For YES Abroad student Lili in Sarajevo, learning to live with a new family has been both challenging and exciting. Some of her most memorable moments in Bosnia so far include a hiking trip up Bjela nica Mountain with her host sisters and enjoying local dishes such as evapi, a grilled dish of minced meat.
A core aspect of the YES Abroad program is connecting with local communities through volunteering and community service. The exchange students have already volunteered at a number of venues, including teaching English at local elementary schools, language schools, and international organizations; assisting with on-site cleanups; and giving presentations about the YES program at the Center for the Blind in Sarajevo.
In honor of International Education Week, YES Abroad students in Sarajevo held a presentation on the Thanksgiving holiday at a local elementary school, Osman Nuri Had i , and taught the young students how to draw hand turkeys.
Meanwhile, in Banja Luka, YES Abroad students Paige and Alessandra organized a presentation at the American Corner about stereotypes regarding America and Americans. Over 20 guests attended this presentation, leading to a stimulating discussion and debate regarding the perceptions of Americans in the Balkans.
For the past three months, the exchange students have travelled out of their host cities to visit other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Recently, the students met up in Jajce, a medieval town in central Bosnia to explore castles, catacombs, and forts. They also explored more recent history by paying a visit to the Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ), a museum dedicated to the political umbrella organization for the national liberation council of the Yugoslav resistance against the Axis occupation during WWII, giving students a new regional perspective on one of the world's most significant global conflicts.
No proper study abroad program would be complete without a foray into learning the local language. In addition to interacting with their host family and locals on a daily basis, the students take language classes once a week. All the students agree that even basic language knowledge helps them to better understand the culture, especially since Bosnians are known for their love of intense discussions and voicing their opinions.
This is the third year of the YES Abroad program in Bosnia. The YES Abroad Bosnia and Herzegovina staff wishes the students the best of luck in their endeavors in the following seven months and are confident of their success as they have already seen the students' adaptability, flexibility, and communication skills reinforced in their short time here.
To learn more about the Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad program, visit: http://www.yes-abroad.org/