University Student Exchange Programs as a tool of Public Diplomacy

master's thesis

• Title: Sveučilišni programi razmjene studenata kao alat javne diplomacije
• Author: Elena Đerić
• Mentor: Božo Skoko (mentor)
• Committee member: Božo Skoko (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Igor Kanižaj (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Hrvoje Jakopović (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; The Faculty of Political Science; (Department of Strategic Communication); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2018-06-26, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: SOCIAL SCIENCES; Information and Communication Sciences; Journalism

Abstract

Kroz povijest, najutjecajnije države svijeta svoju su moć temeljile na vojnoj ili ekonomskoj snazi, no u suvremenom svijetu novih medija, globalizacije i naprednih demokracija fokus se prebacio na ljudski kapital koji i manjim državama omogućava da postanu prosperitetnije i neovisnije. Diplomacija je djelatnost učinkovitog upravljanja reputacijom i kreiranja željenog imidža neke države s ciljem ostvarivanja njenih vanjskopolitičkih ciljeva na međunarodnoj pozornici. U prijelazu s tradicionalnog na suvremeno, u ostvarivanju nacionalnih ciljeva kao i kod stjecanja moći i naklonosti, sve bitniji postaje ljudski faktor, interpersonalna komunikacija te odnosi koji su izgrađeni osobnim kontaktom u neformalnom okruženju. Razmjene studenata i akademsko obrazovanje, definirane kao vid javne diplomacije, teže uspostavljanju suradnje između obrazovnih ustanova diljem svijeta, razmjeni ideja, kulturalnoj medijaciji i naglašenoj tendenciji individua da postanu građani svijeta. Upravo iz tog razloga u ovom radu je odabrana studentska populacija kao ključni kanal prenošenja poruka i ostvarivanje ciljeva moderne javne diplomacije. Svrha ovog rada jest istražiti, metodom dubinskog intervjua, mogu li se razmjene studenata smatrati učinkovitim alatom za uspostavljanje pozitivnog imidža te svojevrsnog promotivnog sredstva države tijekom studentskog boravka na međunarodnoj Erasmus + akademskoj razmjeni. Uz analizu i interpretaciju rezultata te odgovorom na postavljeno istraživačko pitanje, autorica će povezati temu s hrvatskim prilikama i zaključiti s nekoliko smjernica za učinkovitije upravljanje javnom diplomacijom u hrvatskom visokom obrazovanju.

Abstract (english)

Through history, the most influential countries of the world had their power based on military or economic strength, but in the contemporary world of new media, globalization and advanced democracies, the focus has shifted to human capital that allows smaller states to become more prosperous and independent. Diplomacy is an activity with the goal of effective management of reputation and creating a desired image of a state, within the realization of its foreign policy goals on international stage. In the transition from traditional to contemporary and achieving the national targets, as well as with the acquisition of power and affection, the human factor becomes increasingly important - interpersonal communication and relationships which are built through personal contact in an informal setting. Exchange of students and academic education, defined as a form of public diplomacy, strive to establish cooperation between educational institutions around the world, exchange of ideas, cultural mediation and the pronounced tendency of individuals to become citizens of the world. For this reason, the student population is a key channel for transmitting messages and achieving the goals of modern public diplomacy. The purpose of this paper is to explore, by in-depth interviews research methodology, whether student exchanges can be considered as an effective tool for establishing a positive image and promoting the state during a student stay at the international Erasmus + academic exchange. In addition to the analysis and interpretation of the results to address the initial research question, the author will link the subject with Croatian circumstances, and conclude with a few guidelines for more efficient management of public diplomacy in Croatian higher education.

• Keywords: javna diplomacija; visoko obrazovanje; međunarodno obrazovanje; Erasmus+; međunarodne studentske razmjene; meka moć; fenomen države kao brenda Hrvatska
• Keywords (english): Public diplomacy; higher education; international education; Erasmus+; international student exchange; soft power; country as a brand; Croatia
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:114:770471
• Study programme: Title: Novinarstvo; Study programme type: sveučilišni; Study level: diplomski; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra novinarstva (magistar/magistra novinarstva)
• Type of resource: text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Restricted access
• Created on: 2018-12-03 11:48:17