About

Diplomatic Perspective has partnered with BHeart Foundation and Green Visions to provide a Cultural Immersion Program that has been uniquely designed for graduates of our 2022 and 2023 Diplomatic Leaders Development Programs (DLDP). Participants will put into practice the cultural, political, and social skills that they learned in DLDP through site visits to places of historic, cultural, and political importance in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia. DLDP is a 6-month program for high school students that combines professional development, education, and mentorship for students of color in Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County, MD. 100% of DLDP Alumni are now matriculated as full-time college students. Through DLDP, each student receives their U.S. Passport or Passport renewal. We are excited for our graduates to take the next step in applying what they learned in DLDP to practice skills of diplomacy in the Balkans.

When and Where

Trip Dates: July 26 - August 6, 2024

Cities Students will Visit:

Zagreb, Croatia
Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
Bihac, BiH
Banja Luka, BiH Jajce, BiH
Sarajevo, BiH
Srebrenica, BiH
Umoljani, Bjelasnica, BiH
Konjic, Rafting on the Neretva River, BiH
Mostar, BiH
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Some Activities While Abroad Include:

Visit of Plitvice lakes, Plitvice Lakes National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Visit of middle age fortress. Discussion on School Segregation in B&H with the activists of Centar za obrazovanje i druzenje (COD), Education Center. Have students compare experiences across cultures and discuss what is needed from gov, majority groups etc to improve conditions.
Meeting with Edin Fako, BiH representative to NATO and EU.
Meeting with Robert Mearkle, Head of Public Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy.
Seminar with Dr. Sead Turcalo, Dean of the School of Political Science and professor of peace and security studies.
Field visit to Umoljani village. An opportunity to see how people live in rural Bosnia. Overnight in a local family B&B and eat locally prepared food and discuss the effects man has on the environment and fragile ecosystem
Guest speaker on Architecture and War, a conversation with Sulejman Demirovic, an architect and the war veteran of the 90's war.
And Much more!

Our Ask

Diplomatic Perspective will cover the full cost of the immersion to our students.

Major Costs Include:

Initial Costs
- Round Trip Airfare for each participant - Zagreb, Croatia (ZAG) <> Washington, DC (WAS)
- Travel Insurance

In-Country Costs
- Transportation
- Meals
- Rooms/Housing
- Cultural Excursions

Thus far we have raised $20,000! Our goal is to raise another $25,000 by April 30, 2024 to provide this experience to students.

Diplomatic Perspective is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible by the Internal Revenue Service.

Diplomatic Perspective & Founder Highlights

U.S. Department of State Article exploring Diplomatic Perspective and Ryanna's background
Ayanna received the Outstanding Voluntary Service and/or Activism Off-Campus at American University, School of International Service, for her work at Diplomatic Perspective.
Our newly integrated HBCU program receives national recognition
Voyage Baltimore Magazine highlights Ayanna and Diplomatic Perspective
"Exemplifying Black Excellence" an international Relations Online at American University article
Diplomatic Perspective partners with Fair Chance in 2023

Pictured: Former Green Visions study abroad participant hiking and overlooking a stunning view of a mountain in Bosnia

Pictured: The beautiful Mostar Bridge has also been a prominent symbol for peace and reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the world.

Pictured: 2023 Diplomatic Leader Development Program (DLDP Alumni presenting his international service project at Diplomatic Perspective DLDP graduation. - Washington, DC

Pictured: Nestled on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik, Croatia is an idyllic setting for DLDP Alumni to delve into Croatia's more recent economic, social, and political developments.

Pictured: U.S. Embassy Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. Students will visit, meet, and learn from embassy staff while on the immersion.

Diplomatic Perspective Student International Immersion

By Diplomatic Perspective

Diplomatic Perspective Student International Immersion

Help Send Students to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia for the Summer 2024 Cultural and Diplomacy Immersion