What have you been up to since the program?

I continued my academic career at the University of Zagreb, but I also started a "career" of civic, and most recently political activism mostly on local level in my hometown of Karlovac. Together with partners from civil society organisations and with the help of European Union funds we organised huge citizen consultations on the priorities for the renovation of the old city center of Karlovac in 2016, and I have been active on the local civil society scene ever since. From last year, I also joined a little green political platform and we are preparing for the parliamentary elections in 2020. I also gave birth to my third daughter who is now 9 years old.

What was the most influential experience you had while in the U.S. with the Civic Initiative?

The visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello was probably the most impressive single experience. All about the Republic's founding is there: the immense intellectual effort of the founders, their friendships and "foeships", the creativity and enthusiasm of the founding, the correspondence with the rest of the world and the pain of slavery. And all that in the most beautiful scenery...the gardens, the colors and the smells of Virginia. It transpires with a strong sense of purpose and dedication to public service that one can not help to internalize for the rest of one's life.

If you could spend another day in Amherst, how would you spend it?

If Jerry Mileur were still alive, and if the Pub were still there, I would spend it with Jerry at the Pub, talking politics and life in general. It would be also lonely without my friends from our 2009 Summer Institute on American Politics and Political thought, but I would most likely spend half the day buying books at Amherst Books, and spend the other half reading at Amherst Coffee. I would be probably hoping that someone from UMass would show up that would be wiling to share some thoughts on political theory, like professor Nick Xenos or professor Roberto Alejandro.

I wish someone told me to take more notes. The whole Summer Institute experience is so overwhelming that it is a good idea to make lots of notes about things that would need to be "digested" later. It is also most rewarding to get to know well as many people on the program as possible and to keep in touch and to participate in the Alumni reunions and other activities.

What is next on your To Do List?

Like all academics I have two papers to write, one on deliberative democracy - about the above mentioned citizen's consultation episode, and another about participatory budgeting experiences in Croatia. As part of my activist life, I have a more immediate and urgent task to organize study help for the kids in a Syrian refuge family that has moved to Karlovac as part of a European union quota of refugees that Croatia pledged to receive and resettle from Turkey.

SUSI Team Leader 2015

What have you been up to since the program?

 

Thanks for asking. Since leaving the program I have been working at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with the Democratic Caucus. Currently serving as a Research Analyst for the Finance Committee (Tax Policy). I have married and welcomed a son into this crazy world. Also been seeing a lot jam band related shows and festivals. And running a clothing recycling company. I guess I have been keeping myself busy. 

 

What is your favorite Civic memory?

 

To me, and not be ineffectual, Civic is the memory. Driving the vans, the speakers, the cookouts, the chaos, being harassed by Myrtle. There were so many memories made that I could not possibly isolate a singular moment. I met some pretty great people who made the program an incredible adventure. But besides the camaraderie and friendship, getting to know the participants was such an enriching experience. In fact, I am still in contact with a handful of participants. The opportunity to meet, interact and learn from such a diverse cross-section of individuals is rare and I am totally grateful. 

 

What do you miss most about working with the Civic Initiative?

 

As I touched on above, learning from the participants was an important aspect of Civic. Gaining perspective through the experience of others is an exercise that I find fulfilling and elusive. But I think its also hoping that you had an impact on someone too.

 

What advice would you give a first time Civic Fellow on their first day?

 

To not take it for granted. It really is a unique program, and Mike and Becky & Co. work their butts off to make sure of that. Make sure you do not lose sight of that. And do something nice for Mike. 

 

What is next on your To Do list?

 

Phish summer tour.  But seriously, I would like to get some traveling in and I think I am going to start my grad degree here soon. So, not really sure I guess.