Vesna Đikanović
A Stake in the Future - the Education of Serbian Students in America 1919-1924.
Abstract: The paper follows the education of a group of Serbian students in the United States shortly after the end of World War I, thanks to the involvement of an American, Dr. Rosalia S. Morton. Efforts to implement educational cooperation, the experience and results of schooling in America, the perception of the role of the individual in the process of modernization of the country of origin, personal engagement, and the openness of the Serbian and Yugoslav society to influence from outside, are the subject of analysis.
Key words: Rosalia S. Morton, Serbian Students, American College/University, International Serbian Education Committee, United States of America, Cuba, Serbia, Kingdom of SHS
Thanks to the involvement of Dr. Rosalia Morton, American schools became open to a number of Serb students from the Kingdom of SHS just after World War I. The American doctor recognized the importance of education for the future development of a country, especially one that was facing the tragic consequences of the war years. Expectedly, Dr. Morton's initiative received the full support of Yugoslav officials, given that education at foreign universities was part of the educational experience in Serbian society. Given the recognized importance of agriculture for the future development of the country, priority was given to the education of Serbian students at US colleges specializing in agriculture, but a few students were also directed to study architecture, medicine, and the arts. Equal educational opportunities were offered to candidates of both sexes. Studying in the United States introduced Serbian students to the world of American reality, and their stay was marked by new experiences, insights and challenges. Despite the occasional disappointments and temptations, the results of most students' schooling can be said to have justified the efforts of the American doctor. Their education opened perspective for personal progress, created opportunities for applying their acquired knowledge, and opened new spaces for educational and cultural cooperation.