AbstractThe goal of this paper is to connect the framework of the interactive multimedia project AFILC (Assisting Foreigners in Learning Croatian) with the study abroad and service learning experience of exchange students in the University of Zagreb. The purpose of the AFILC is to develop language learning materials that will motivate foreign students to learn the Croatian language at their own pace and help them cope with its grammatical richness. The purpose of the international service learning course is to motivate exchange students to deeply experience Croatian language and culture and to get insight into the relevance of their service experiences to their personal, career, educational and civic goals. KeywordsComputer assisted language learning (CALL), the Croatian language, foreigners, International Service Learning (ISL), multimedia I. INTRODUCTION nternational Service Learning (ISL) can be conceptualized as the intersection of three different educational domains: service learning, study abroad and international education [4]. It has the potential to improve students’ academic attainment, contribute to their personal growth, and develop global civic outcomes while students immerse themselves in a culture other than their own. A. Study Abroad Students study abroad for various reasons. Some study abroad to raise their job prospects, improve their proficiency in a foreign language, or study under an expert in the academic field [16, 30]. Others study abroad to find personal freedom, seek adventure, or gain understanding of another culture [7, 22, 31]. Regardless of the reasons, research shows that students who study abroad become able to learn more about world affairs and increase their acceptance of other nationalities. Increasing international responsibility can change people’s attitudes that can in return affect public opinion and potentially impact foreign policy [31]. N. Mikelic Preradovic is an assistant professor at the Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia (nmikelic@ffzg.hr) K. Posavec is a PhD student at the Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia (kristina.posavec@gmail.com) D. Boras is a dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and full professor at the Department of Information and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia (dboras@ffzg.hr) Students can develop new perspectives on academic subjects and real=world issues, achieve proficiency in a foreign language, experience personal growth, and develop valuable career skills [30, 35]. Other benefits of study abroad have been identified as an increase in global awareness and a change in attitude [11]. Through study abroad, students can build global competence, become skilled at interacting in and between multiple cultures and capable of analyzing issues on a global level. Study abroad influences student learning and personal development [7, 21, 27, 28]. Research has also shown that study abroad improves students’ global perspective, world mindedness and cross=cultural awareness [1, 5, 13, 25, 26, 29]. Study abroad has also been found to make students aware of their own national identity and influence how they view people from other nationalities [12, 14]. Exchange students are also able to develop a deeper interest in the well=being of others, an understanding of multinational economic and cultural issues, an increased self= awareness, and increased interpersonal competence [27]. Despite many benefits of studying abroad, students also face many difficulties when participating in study programs abroad, the major difficulty being the lack of knowledge of a foreign language [6, 30]. B. International Education In recent years there has been an increasing appeal for university students around the world to participate in meaningful international educational experiences during their university careers. International education is defined as educative effort that aims at fostering an international orientation in knowledge and attitude [20]. It also connotes the various kinds of relationships – cultural, intellectual and educational among individuals and groups from two or more nations including the various methods of international co=operation, understanding and exchange. It can also be regarded as a process, a movement of people and ideas across frontiers [19]. According to these authors [19], the essence of international education lies not so much in its association with a particular location, but rather in an association with the crossing of frontiers, be they physical or intellectual [18]. International organizations such as UNESCO and UNICEF perceive international education as a means of international cooperation, intercultural competence and support. Study Abroad and Service Learning Assisting Students in Learning Croatian Language NIVES MIKELIC PRERADOVIC, KRISTINA POSAVEC, DAMIR BORAS I INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES Issue 4, Volume 6, 2012 336