SFS-Croatia: Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals of the Adriatic
Program Details
| Program Location |
Veli Lošinj, Croatia
|
| Sponsor |
School for Field Studies |
| Program Type |
Co-sponsored |
| Duration |
Semester
|
| Upcoming Program Dates |
| Fall 2026 |
09/07/26 to 12/16/26
|
| Spring 2026 |
02/16/26 to 05/27/26
|
| Current Program Dates |
| Fall 2025 |
09/01/25 to
12/12/25 |
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice
Overview
Explore Mediterranean islands and wind through the Adriatic archipelagos in search of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles. Work alongside marine conservation professionals as they study population ecology, community behaviour, and practice rescue and rehabilitation actions on these animals. The Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna program takes place in the Croatian archipelagos of the Eastern Adriatic coast. Consisting of 1,244 islands, islets, and reefs, the Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. The Adriatic Sea is a hotspot for biodiversity, and one of the regions of the Mediterranean most affected by climate change. Course fieldwork focuses on issues such as spatial and population ecology of marine megafauna, human dimensions of conservation, and veterinary sciences.
Positioned in Central Europe and the western Balkans, Croatia stretches across multiple ecosystems. Continental grasslands with floodplains and hills form the interior, bordered by the Karstic Dinaric Mountain chain on the eastern side, which stretches down to the sparkling blue island-saturated coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Contested for centuries by different powers, Roman, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Italian, and Dubrovnik influences are all still visible in the culture, history, architecture, language, and cuisine. Croatia is a member state of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area and the Eurozone.
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:
2.8 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none
Purdue Credit
Direct Credit
available from the following:
[
College of Agriculture] [
College of Liberal Arts]
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
You will take three 4-credit disciplinary courses, one 2-credit language and culture course, and a 4-credit capstone Directed Research course. These are participatory in nature and are designed to foster inquiry and active learning. Each course combines lectures, seminars, group work in the field and in the lab, assignments, tests, and research. All classes are taught in English.
This academically rigorous program follows a five-day/week schedule. The interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to help students actively discover and understand the complexities of balancing conservation with social and economic issues. Read more about the SFS program model. Major academic themes include:
- Cetacean and sea turtle biology and ecology
- Cetacean and sea turtle research and conservation methods
- Regional conservation strategies and spatial planning
- Protected areas and threatened ecosystems
- Nature based solutions to biodiversity loss and climate change impacts
- Systematic conservation planning and decision making
- Veterinary investigations and diagnostics
More information about the specific classes and syllabi as well as the research focus can be found on the SFS website.
Housing
The SFS Center for the Conservation of Marine Megafauna is located on the northern most archipelago of the Croatian islands on the outskirts of the village of Veli Lošinj. Veli Lošinj has restaurants, artisan shops, ATMs, a market, and a busy summer tourist season. The Center is situated in an old garden forest with a view of the Kvarneric archipelago islands and Northern Velebit Nature Park. Only 4 km away is Mali Lošinj, the largest Croatian island city, with multiple shops, banks, and a hospital. The accommodation is dorm-living with heating, four-person rooms with bathroom.
- Classroom with library
- Student lounge
- Open-air terrace
- Food provided onsite
- Running and cycling routes along the coast and through the old garden forest
- Basketball court and outdoor gym
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. The program and housing fee includes: tuition, all meals, local travel, and class-related excursions.
Additional costs (airfare, visa, personal expenses) are still TBD and not included in the cost of the program.
Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are
for: Spring 2026
|
Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
| Program Fee |
$22,700.00
|
| Study Abroad Fee |
$914.10 |
| Housing |
$7,250.00 |
| Purdue International Insurance (per month) |
$32.00 |
|
Approximate additional costs per semester
|
| To be paid by the student.
|
| Round-trip Airfare |
$1,000.00 |
| Visa |
$100.00 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$1,200.00 |
| Travel Documents (passport, photos) |
$175.00 |
Financial Aid
SFS offers many scholarships and/or 0% interest loans (no FAFSA form required). Please see the SFS website for more details. 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
|
| Fall Semester Programs |
Mar 1 |
| Spring Semester Programs |
Sep 15 |
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.
