June 30, 2019 – An excellent initiative to bring the diaspora in closer contact with the Homeland starts next month. Follow Kristiana Banđen on her journey on the inaugural Domovina Birthright Program.
As previously reported on TCN, the first Domovina Birthright Program will take place next month, an initiative between the American Croatian Association of Professionals, and the Croatian Government. The idea of the program is to take the young adults of Croatian descent (ages 18 – 30), who wish to learn about their heritage, explore Croatia, connect with their Croatian identity and meet other young Croatian adults on an amazing trip to Croatia.
We are delighted to welcome Kristiana Banđen to TCN. Kristiana is one of the 34 initial participants in the program, and she will be documenting her journey as she explores the country of her heritage. Here she is, introducing herself.
Follow the journey through the Domovina Program
This year, the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) has partnered with the Croatian government to announce the Domovina Birthright Program (DBP). The DBP is a unique, historical 16-day cultural and educational immersion tour of Croatia created to allow young Croatian adults the opportunity to explore their country while learning about their Croatian heritage and explore their identity with 33 other chosen participants.
This is the first year that the DBP has been announced and having been one of the chosen participants, I will be writing an insight into the program and its daily activities.
>Born in Canada, both of my parents were born and raised in Croatia. I have chosen to apply to participate in the program to be able to further explore my country in a way I have never been able to before. This cultural experience will be eye-opening and I wish to share our adventures in the hopes to create excitement for the program in young Croatian adults. Being the first year the program is being held, I hope to aid in the success of the program and in generating interest for future participants to apply.
Commencing on July 10th and ending on July 25th, follow my journey throughout the Domovina Birthright Program exploring sites of cultural and historical significance and in varied hikes of Croatia’s landscape and nature.
To follow more from the Croatian diaspora, follow the dedicated TCN section.
