On Friday, January 16, the first Open Day of the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, was held at the Faculty, bringing together a large number of interested prospective students and teachers. During the two-hour programme, all study programmes were presented, along with employment opportunities, student associations, and other extracurricular activities on campus.

Marija Zelić, PhD, Assistant Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, presented the Department of Sociology and the undergraduate Sociology programme, highlighting that the programme provides students with research and analytical skills, an understanding of social structures and processes, and the ability to conduct sociological research through work with quantitative and qualitative data. She also emphasised that Sociology can be enrolled as either a single-major or a double-major programme and that the undergraduate programme lasts three years (six semesters). Special emphasis was placed on balancing theory and practice through projects and fieldwork, as well as on the wide range of employment opportunities in the public and private sectors, the media, marketing and public relations, research centres, and analytics.

Former and current students shared their first-hand experiences, giving prospective students a closer insight into studying, student life, and the opportunities offered by the Faculty of Croatian Studies. During the panel discussion, Faculty alumni spoke about their experiences at the Faculty and highlighted the family-like atmosphere, where students are not “just a number” but are known by name by academic and administrative staff. The advantages of studying on campus were particularly emphasised, as well as the opportunities that open up after graduation and the additional competencies that can be gained during studies, which can be an important asset in employment and help candidates stand out among many similar applications. Among the panelists was Ana Marija Jasak, who completed the Demography and Croatian Diaspora programme as well as the Sociology programme, and is now employed at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration.

After the official part of the programme, an informal gathering of prospective students, students, and teachers continued in the Faculty Library, where information desks were set up with additional details about study programmes and student activities. Prospective students were also able to learn more about the Sociology programme from the Head of the Department of Sociology, Prof. Irena Cajner Mraović, PhD, Associate Professor Marica Marinović Golubić, PhD, and Assistant Lecturers Marija Zelić, PhD, and Ana Marija Dunaj, PhD.

Dear prospective students, welcome to the Sociology programme at the Faculty of Croatian Studies!