Croatia is at the crossroads of Central Europe, Southeast Europe, and the Mediterranean. The country's population is 4.4 million. It covers 56,594 square kilometres (21,851 square miles) and has diverse, mostly continental and Mediterranean climates.The Croats arrived in the area of present-day Croatia during the early part of the 7th century AD. Since then Croatia was under different rulers and part of different countries and kingdoms until 1991 when Croatia finally got her independence.

Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union in 2013, a decade after it started the process and less than 20 years after the end of its war of independence. Today Croatia is known as a tourist country thanks to its beautiful nature and cultural sights. Croatia's Adriatic Sea coast contains more than a thousand islands. Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, is also the largest city in Croatia.

SPLIT The second largest after the capital is Split, the most vibrant city in Croatia and an important centre of culture, trade, industry, sports, entertainment and tourism. Its historical heart, which includes Diocletian's Palace, which became in 1979 one of the first urban sites to be placed on UNESCO's World Heritage register. Split is situated on the coast of Central Dalmatia on a peninsula which is surrounded with the sea and beautiful islands.

The peninsula terminates in the Marjan promontory. From the top of Marjan there is a unique view. The whole promontory is especially picturesque in spring when the south-facing hillside turns yellow as the Spanish broom blossoms.The name Split derives from the greek word '‘aspalathos'' which means Spanish broom. It was around 300 A.D. that the Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered a palace to be built on the same site as modern Split.

Once you visit Split and experience its beauty you won't have any doubts why the Roman Emperor, in preparation for his retirement, chose to bulid his Palace on this particular spot. Split, today a town with more than 200,000 inhabitants was developed from that palace. It is a very popular destination, visited by people from all over the world and the number of visitors is constantly increasing. Once you visit Split and experience its beauty you won't have any doubts why the Roman Emperor, in preparation for his retirement, chose to bulid his Palace on this particular spot. Split, today a town with more than 200,000 inhabitants was developed from that palace. It is a very popular destination, visited by people from all over the world and the number of visitors is constantly increasing.

VOCATIONAL SCHOOL Vocational Secondary School is located in the city centre. Our school stone building was bulit in the second half of the nineteenth century and it is a protected monument. Our students are from 15 to 18 years old. We also provide evening classes for adults. We count about 640 students and about 70 employees (54 teachers). Our students are taught according to national curriculum and there are several educational departments that offer different vocational trainings.

On the ground floor there are practical labs for hairdressers, estheticians and nail care and a school library. Hairdressers specialize in cutting, colouring and styling hair. They offer many services to their clients, including permanents, conditioning treatments, hair styling, coloring, and trims.

Estheticians are trained in providing many types of beauty and personal care services. They are skincare specialists and experts at applying and selling makeup. They are also trained to provide body wraps and body scrubs, depilation and waxing. Estheticians perform gentle massage as a way to both relax and stimulate the skin before each cosmetic treatment is carried out.

Nail technicians provide manicures and pedicures. As manicurists, they might give natural manicures in which they shape, buff and polish nails, or they might apply artificial nails. Pedicures focus on the feet and often involve massage along with treatment of the toenails.

On the first floor there is a practical lab for optical technicians. Education for an optician lasts four years. During that time, pupils becomes qualified for making different kinds of glasses, as well as optical supplies and fashion details, different kinds of their repairs and the installation of lenses in optical frames. People used to think that glasses make people less atractive, but luckily times have changed. They are worn by the young and older people. Their role is very simple – giving you a necessary protection from harmful sun rays.

Photographs become experts in using light to capture moments and details in interesting and appealing ways. They are taught traditional black and white darkroom techniques, digital and other image-forming technologies.

Practical labs for textile and leather (fashion technicians, tailors, leather workers) are in another building. They focus on the sewing, drafting and crafting skills used in the fashion industry. Simulating industry standards and practices, students will become skilled in the essentials of pattern making, pattern grading, and clothing construction. Industrial machines will be used to sew garments and accessories. Computerized pattern drafting and standard business applications are also part of the curricula In the practical lab for leather our students make leather into beautiful craft objects or works of art.

As you can see our Vocational school is an interesting, creative and imaginative place to teach and learn. We look forward to welcoming you here. Andrija P. & Paula M.