Ana Poljak Klarić

Ever since I got the chance to start a group of Croatian language at Otsola five years ago, an idea of a possible group visit to Croatia started playing in my head. Little did I know that it would actualize itself within the scope of the ERASMUS+ project a few years later. 

After a few months of searching a suitable educational institution which could welcome us, a breakthrough was made with the adult education center (Pučko otvoreno učilište Zagreb) in Zagreb and the University of Zagreb - Faculty of Croatian Studies.  

Both schools provided quick and professional support helping me create a diverse learning programme, based on both formal (classroom lectures and grammar lessons) and non-formal learning (yoga class, choir practice, wool felting workshop) and taking into account both individual and group needs as well as fulfilling the objectives of an Erasmus+ project demands.  

We spent four days learning and experiencing Croatian language, history and culture and two free days in interacting with local community and enjoying rich gastronomical heritage of Croatia. 

Our cheerful, coherent and friendly group comprised Ireene Häyry (member of Otsola Board of members), Tuula Nordling, Marja-Leena Järviö, Christa Upshaw, Riitta Seppälä and myself. 

On 19 October we met the staff of the Adult Education Centre with the director Goran Ivan Matoš, who warmly welcomed us and gave us a tour of the building introducing us to the history, classrooms, library and the galleries of the Open Public University within which the Third Age University, a Croatian style "kansalaisopisto" is located. 

We found out that the architects of POU were fascinated with Nordic design and the interior designer travelled to Finland in the 1950’s to witness the art of Alvar Aalto whose main architectural ideas were implemented in the design of Zagreb’s oldest adult education center. Large wall-sized windows, functional furniture and art exhibitions held in the vast corridors of that monumental building were captivating, bearing in mind that they can host more than 3000 people should the occasion ask for it. 

In the afternoon we hopped on the tram to the very center of Zagreb and explored the Old Town with its gothic cathedral, Church of St. Mark and the Museum of Naïve Art. 



On our second day we actively participated in the English lesson and the yoga lesson in the morning and visited the Museum of Zagreb where we witnessed a 1000-year rich history of the town. 

On 3^rd day of our official stay we participated in the womens’ choir practice and we were singing in Croatian language some of the best-known folk heritage songs from the northern part of Croatia. Since I come from this region that gave a special tone to this warm and fun activity. 

In the afternoon, we visited our next institution, Faculty of Croatian Studies under the University of Zagreb where we had a grammar lesson and a lecture on everyday Croatian culture. Dean for international mobility, doc.dr.sc. Antonia Ordulj who specializes in teaching Croatian language to foreigners gave us an introduction to the genitive case. 

We also learned that young Croatians stay at home much longer than young adults in Finland, coffee drinking is a social activity and food is a very important topic as a means of good hospitable manners and eating together is regarded as a fundamental family value. 

On Thursday 23 October our last official activity took place in the Ethnographic museum of Zagreb where we participated in the wool felting workshop and had a tour in English language about the traditional costumes and how they portray an individual and family status in history. 

Since it was a sunny and warm day we took a walk to the main square and since it was chestnut and corn season, we had to taste them, because they were looking invitingly grilled and smelling deliciously. 

One participant discovered autumn colours in the botanical garden, while others found a tie shop with the famous Croatian invention called “kravata”. 

In the evening we took a taxi van and headed to the countryside, some 45 km to the north of Zagreb, where Ana’s home is situated in the small village near the town of Sveti Ivan Zelina. 

Our free day, Friday 24 October was really busy. In the morning we headed to Sveti Ivan Zelina, which is an administrative center of the municipality. This region has always been economically highly developed, beaming with small entrepreneurship, artisanal industries and with excellent reputation of producing wine. 



In the morning we visited a rehabilitation association for disabled children and adults called “Srce” (meaning heart). That was a touching experience for all members of our group, since my sister-in-law is one of their members and working there as a cook. The lovely director, Mrs.Djurdja Penava, told us how the idea of organizing such an association for the disabled children in a small community came to life. The association gathers more than 140 members and employs around 40 people among which many professionals such as speech therapists, work psychologists, behavioral therapists, sports experts and such. 

Our last afternoon in Croatia was all about enjoying local food and wine tasting. The local winery “Kos” (blackbird in Croatian) whose cave was financed by the EU projects for the development of small local producers is a four-generation family business whose passion for producing white wines has been recognized internationally. 

On a beautiful Saturday morning, 25 October we left the picturesque countryside of northern Croatian and Ana’s home to head back to Finland. It was an incredibly beautiful, fulfilling and informative trip! 

 ERASMUS+ connecting cultures and people across Europe! 

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Kirjoittaja Ana Poljak Klarić työskentelee Otsolan kansalaisopistossa kielten opettajana. Hän suunnitteli ja toimi matkanjohtajana Erasmus+ -aikuisoppijoiden ryhmäliikkuvuusjaksolla Zagrebissa lokakuussa 2025.