Finding community through culture: Inside RIT Croatia’s International Club
When Jana Bečanović left Montenegro to study Global Business Management at RIT Croatia, she quickly realized how much the experience would change her. Now, the President of the International Club, Jana, shares how studying abroad helped her shift into a more open, independent, and opportunistic mindset. “What is best, in my opinion, is learning to stand on your own and starting to rely on yourself”, she says. “Once you leave home, you become more open to other big changes and great opportunities”.
A place to belong
This transformation is echoed by many international students who arrive at RIT Croatia, eager but uncertain about what to expect. They often face new languages and the emotional challenge of being far from home. Stepan Shpak, a Web and Mobile Computing student from Russia, knows this feeling all too well. Adjusting wasn’t always easy, but Stepan feels the effort was well worth it. “There were difficulties at first, but I overcame them all... Now I even appreciate it as a valuable experience”, he says. “All people here are very supportive: professors, staff, students. It creates a very welcoming atmosphere, which helps with homesickness”.
Stepan was immediately drawn to the sense of community. “The members of the club are so friendly and open-minded, it immediately felt like a place where I belonged”, he explains. One of his most memorable moments was meeting fellow Russian speakers at an early club event. “It was very important to find someone who speaks my language”.
Benjamin R. Metzger, a Web and Mobile Computing student from Massachusetts, had a similar experience. While the move across the ocean was challenging, Benjamin embraced the change and made it a point to immerse himself in Croatian culture, even practicing the language whenever he could. “I love going out after class, sitting down with friends over a coffee for a few hours, and just chatting”, he says.
Like Stepan, Benjamin credits the club with creating the friendships and experiences that helped him settle in. And now, as a member of the club, he’s part of a community that extends beyond national borders. For Jana, the role of club president is an opportunity to grow those experiences even further and reach even more students. “I would like to engage as many internationals as possible and organize activities that they enjoy while supporting the main purpose of the club – cultural exchange”, she shares.
Opportunities to connect
The International Club serves as a place where students from completely different cultures can come together, share their backgrounds, languages, and traditions, and form lasting connections. Stepan highlighted the importance of such experiences: “International Club is a place where people from completely different cultures share their backgrounds, languages, traditions, come together and connect”.
From casual gatherings to day trips, the club offers a wide range of opportunities to make those connections. A standout moment for Benjamin was a visit to the Plitvice Lakes. “It was a great time just for fun, bonding, and visiting the beautiful nature of Croatia”, he reflects.
Whether you’re new or have been here for a while, the International Club is always ready to welcome you and offer a place to connect, grow, and explore new opportunities. “Everyone is welcome to join the club at any point throughout the year”, Jana says. “I encourage all to participate in the activities, whether you are coming alone or with a friend – don’t worry, you will get to know someone new and have fun”!
