Bosnia Overview

Following years of brutal ethnic conflict in the ’90s, Bosnia-Herzegovina is still trying to regain its footing. Bullet holes and rubble tell the story of the Siege of Sarajevo, which ravaged the capital city between 1992 and 1995.  The city has begun to recover physically, and the graffiti-covered facades of pastel buildings from the Austro-Hungarian days stand beside modern high-rises that have sprouted over the last decade. The people of Bosnia-Herzegovina are slowly setting aside differences, too. While the tragedy of war remains, the Bosnia’s youth have come of age in peaceful times and are interested in meeting student travelers from around the world.

Visitors to Sarajevo will find vestiges of war, yes, but they will also discover a wealth of historic sights. Mosques, churches, and cathedrals testify to centuries of religious tolerance; bars, cafes, and restaurants throughout the city cater to all your eating, drinking, and people-watching needs; and shops and vendors in the Baščaršija, the historic market in the city center, have been going strong since the 15^th century. This cultural and ethnic crossroads is just waiting to be discovered.