Student Life in Zagreb

The official language in Zagreb is Croatian. However, in the city you can get by speaking German or English. Given the high number of international students, English is spoken at the University and in the MSE programme. At school, many pupils learn German, apart from English, as a first or second language. However, it makes sense to learn Croatian, in order to communicate with the patients during the clinical phase of your studies. That’s why during the first two years of the degree you will also learn the basics of the Croatian language.

Zagreb is an important traffic junction and has an international airport, so you may reach it from many different European cities. If you are in Europe, you can also come by train, but of course the trip is much longer. From the main railway station in Zagreb (Zagrebački Glavni kolodvor) there are train connections to other European countries.

In Zagreb you will find plenty to do if you are the sporty type. With its parks, promenades, and green areas you will find lots of space for jogging, going for a walk or simply taking a rest. In summer you can swim at lake Jarun and in winter you can go skiing at the Medvednica mountain range. The Medvednica itself and its nature park are a popular destination for excursions, relaxing and enjoying the open air. Another possibility is to go to the Jarun Sport and Leisure Centre to the southwest of Zagreb, or to the sports facilities Mladost, where you will find swimming pools and a variety of cultural events on offer.

The present city of Zagreb is composed by the Lower Town Donji Grad and the Upper Town Gornji Grad. As both parts are very close to one another, you can easily reach everything in Zagreb on foot.

Also culture lovers won’t have a chance to get bored in Zagreb. In Zagreb’s baroque old town you will find the Lotrščak Tower, the old city’s defense system. Close to the Tower is the rack railway, a connection between the Upper and the Lower Town.

The Ban-Jelačić Square is the central square in the Lower Town in Zagreb and it was formerly called the Square of the Republic. From here you can observe the great amount of monuments and historical buildings. In Zagreb’s surroundings you will find many castles and medieval towns worth visiting.

Zagreb is not only made up of trade areas, it is above all a lively cultural centre. The city is very rich in cultural and artistic events and offers a varied entertainment offer. There are countless museums, theaters, galleries and art exhibitions.

On the Square of the Flowers (Preradović  Square) you can listen to a spontaneous concert or go to the cinema. As with the Tkalčićeva Street and around the Jarun lake, there are some coffe shops, bars and restaurants.

• Mirogoj Cemetery
• Croatian Museum for Naïve Art
• Archaelogical Museum
• Maksimir Park with Zoo
• Church St. Markus
• Stone Gate
• Cathedral
• Croatian National Theatre