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Architecture Schools and Programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Architecture Studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A brewery in Saravejo, BosniaThe opportunity to study architecture abroad in an exciting country like Bosnia and Herzegovina can offer the experience of a lifetime, an academic adventure filled with culture, new language acquisition and exciting sightseeing excursions. 
 
Sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, the country is located in the southeastern portion of Europe, situated on the picturesque Balkan Peninsula.  Its capital and largest city is Sarajevo, a former host of the Winter Olympics with an estimated urban population of 430,000 people.  Adi, a city as equally fascinating as Sarajevo, is the second-largest city in the country, with a population of just under 390,000.  Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that is almost completely landlocked.  It is bordered to the north, west and south by the large country of Croatia, to the east by Serbia, and to the southeast by Montenegro. The only portion of the country that does not share a border can be found in the city of Neum, where Bosnia and Herzegovina features a 12-mile coastline along the Adriatic Sea.
 
The interior geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very mountainous and rugged and ideal for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts looking to test their limits.  The northwest can best be described as very green, hilly and scenic, while the northeast is predominantly flatland.  The inland section of the country is a geographically larger region in comparison to the others and has a moderate continental climate, characterized by hot summers and cold and snowy winters, making it a skier’s paradise during that time of the year.

Architecture Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Architecture is a very important and well-respected field of study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one that is offered by the majority of its higher education universities, including the oldest and largest institution in the country, the University of Sarajevo, located in the capital city.  Originally established in 1531 as an Ottoman Islamic law college, today the university is very modern, with 23 faculties and an annual enrollment of approximately 50,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the Balkans in terms of enrollment.  It is now widely regarded as the most prestigious university in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and employs more than one thousand faculty members.

The faculty of architecture at the University of Sarajevo is dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and flourish professionally in the field following graduation.  Students learn through theoretical discussions and lectures as well as guided practice in the science of designing and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
Through their coursework, students learn to plan, design and construct form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations.  They learn to manipulate and coordinate material, technology, light and shadow in their designs, and are exposed to management principles such as scheduling, cost estimating and construction administration.

Like most fields of study in post-Bologna process Europe, the undergraduate program in architecture now spans three full years, followed by an additional two years towards a Master’s degree.

Why Study Abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The excellent academic education you’ll receive while studying in Bosnia and Herzegovina is only one of the advantages to choosing this country as your study abroad destination.  Sightseeing opportunities are endless in this beautiful nation, with sites that focus chiefly on its historical, religious and cultural landmarks.  Bosnia and Herzegovina has also become an increasingly popular skiing and ecotourism destination.  In 2010, the country was nominated as one of the “top ten cities to visit in the world” by the Lonely Planet; and Sarajevo, the capital city, also won the travel blog Foxnomad’s “Best City to Visit” competition in 2012, beating out more than one hundred other cities from around the world.

Some of the top destinations for tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina include:
  • Sarajevo.  Often referred to as the “Olympic City” or “European Jerusalem,” Sarajevo is the scientific, cultural, commercial, and tourist center of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Shrine of Our Lady of Medugorje.  The site of a Marian apparition, the Shrine of Our Lady of Medugorje is a popular Catholic pilgrimage destination and also the site of an annual youth festival.
  • Mostar.  Known to locals as the “City on Neretva” or “City of Sunshine,” Mostar is home to several World Heritage sites, as chosen by the United Nation’s UNESCO body.
  • Srebrenica.  Home to the worst war crimes committed in Europe since World War II, Srebrenica is known for its natural beauty, rafting, and the boat rides along the Drina River to Visegrad, the second-deepest canyon in Europe.
  • Banja Luka.  Known as the "Green City", Banja Luka features a number of important sights, such as the Kastel fortress and Ferhadija mosque.
As an architecture student, you’ll no doubt find that the architectural style in Bosnia and Herzegovina is both majestic and inspiring.  Together it tells the unique story of this proud land and is strongly influenced by four major periods where political and social changes influenced the creation of distinct cultural and architectural habits of the population.  Each of these periods made its weight felt and contributed significantly to a greater diversity of cultures and architectural languages in the region.

In every major city throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly those that host a major university, students will find plenty to keep them busy when they’re not in the classroom hitting the books.  From restaurants and cafes serving Pavlaka and other regional and international fare, to busy bars and nightclubs where the party rages on through the night.  At the conclusion of their stay, students will have been exposed to and learned to appreciate the history, culture and language of the Bosnian people, and will no doubt have made an abundance of friends and scores memories to cherish for a lifetime.