SFS-Croatia: 21st Century Marine Pollutants
Program Details
| Program Location |
Veli Losinj, Croatia
|
| Sponsor |
School for Field Studies |
| Program Type |
Co-sponsored |
| Duration |
Summer
|
| Upcoming Program Dates |
| Summer 2026 |
06/15/26 to 07/15/26
|
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice
Overview
Along the rugged coastline and island-dotted waters of the Cres-Lošinj archipelago, you’ll step into the role of a marine field scientist. From research vessels, you’ll use hydrophones to listen in on dolphin communication and measure the underwater noise from human activity. You’ll investigate how both sound and plastic pollution—from drifting debris to microscopic fragments—affect the health of sea turtles, dolphins, and the broader marine ecosystem. This hands-on course combines field research, data analysis, and conservation communication to equip you with the skills to study, interpret, and address some of the ocean’s newest and most urgent challenges.
- Record and analyze underwater soundscapes by deploying hydrophones, capturing dolphin vocalizations, and measuring ambient noise to assess the impacts of tourism, shipping, and other human activity.
- Apply acoustic analysis tools to interpret patterns in marine mammal communication and behavior.
- Conduct cetacean surveys through photo-identification and acoustic tracking to create profiles of individual animals and populations.
- Investigate plastic pollution by sampling the water column, seabed, and shoreline, documenting both the scale and distribution of marine litter.
- Develop your own public awareness campaign based on the results of marine litter research carried out during the course.
For more program information, please visit the
program website.
This program is sponsored by:
School for Field Studies.
Eligibility
The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.
GPA Requirement:
2.6 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none
Purdue Credit
Direct Credit
available from the following:
[
College of Agriculture]
Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.
Academic Program
This academically rigorous program follows a six-day/week schedule. Each program combines theory learned during classroom sessions with field-based applications. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of environmental, social, and economic issues in the Northern Adriatic.
Major academic themes include:
- Marine ecology and conservation
- Bioacoustics
- Cetacean and sea turtle research methodologies
- Marine management
On the 21st Century Marine Pollutants program, you will take one 4-credit course - 21st Century Marine Pollutants: Noise and Plastics. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests. This course is taught in English.
For more information, please visit the SFS website.
Excursions
You will visit different ecosystems and communities which may include seagrass beds, limestone reef systems, coastal ecosystems, beaches, marine protected areas, numerous shallow-water snorkeling sites, and the historic town of Veli Lošinj.
Housing
You will live in an air-conditioned student dorm in the village of Veli Lošinj.
Students will share a room with up to 4 other students in twin bunk beds, with shared closet, desks. Dorm rooms have an en-suite bathroom.
The SFS center also has a student lounge, classroom, library, computer lab, small student kitchen, dining room, an open-air terrace, and access to washing machines and dryers.
Estimated Program Costs
Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program. Included in the program and housing fees are program advising and orientations, tuition and research fees, airport transfers, housing and meals during, program time, field excursions and cultural activities, official transcript processing, and evacuation and 24/7 support in case of emergencies.
Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are
for: Summer 2026
|
Costs per term to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
| Program Fee |
$7,000.00
|
| Study Abroad Fee |
$609.40 |
| Housing |
$2,500.00 |
| Purdue International Insurance (per month) |
$32.00 |
|
Approximate additional costs per term
|
| To be paid by the student.
|
| Round-trip Airfare |
$1,000.00 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$800.00 |
| Travel Documents (passport, photos) |
$175.00 |
Financial Aid
All students are encouraged to apply for SFS financial aid. Financial aid applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting in February for summer programs, April for fall programs, and September for spring programs. Early submissions are welcomed. Students who submit an SFS financial aid application by the payment deadline will be considered for their full range of aid options. For more information, visit
SFS website.
Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should
NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.
Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.
Application Deadlines
For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.
As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.
| Program Application Deadline
|
| Summer Programs |
Mar 1 |
Returnees Information
Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.
Resources
The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.
For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383
or email
studyabroad@purdue.edu.
