WHAT CSF MEANS TO ME a letter from Bozo Skoko University of Zagreb, School of Political Science written in his sophomore year, 1996

I've been at the university for a year now, I've completed all my course requirements, and I expect to enroll in my second year of study. On the surface it all seems so simple and ordinary. However, this is indeed extraordinary for me and my twenty or so colleagues who have received CSF scholarships for this academic year. From various parts of Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia, we have come to the metropolis of all Croatians, Zagreb, to continue our education. In this way, a new life has opened up before us, which, in the past, we could only have dreamt of: we've become participants in academia and more valuable citizens to our nation - all of which was made possible by the Croatian Scholarship Fund. I, myself, am from a small, rocky Hercegovina town, from a war-torn area, born of a family which makes its humble living by cultivating the dry and stingy earth and which cannot offer its children the hope of a higher education. In spite of the fact that I dreamt, as did all my friends, of a modern life in the big city (the kind we see in American movies) and of the career of my choice, I knew this would remain only a dream. Although my high school grades were quite high, I always quietly reminded myself that a university education is, after all, not for everyone. I saw myself in all those around me who, regardless of their abilities, remain far from school and spend their whole lives performing the simplest of tasks, albeit back-breaking labor, and following in the footsteps of their parents. But then the Croatian Scholarship Fund allowed me to organize my life differently - according to my own aspirations! This scholarship has offered me the possibility of making something of my future life, attaining a career I love, and benefiting my people and homeland. My acceptance of this scholarship is taken with grave seriousness and I am very cognizant, as are my CSF colleagues, of the magnitude of the gift we have received. It means a great deal to me, and I haven't the words to thank you or to express the depth of my joy. I am deeply grateful to my sponsor, John Grcina, who so unselfishly financed my scholarship! I also thank all the other benefactors and contributors and the people who make CSF possible with their time and effort in this very much appreciated enterprise. All these people together have granted us a better future! Because of them, I strive to be a better person and to help others. Through them, I have seen that there is still goodness in this world. When I complete my studies and begin my career, I will try to be as helpful to my homeland. You have made me forever indebted to return the kindness which you have bestowed on me! You are probably not aware of the magnitude of your deeds, but you have done an extraordinary act and we will never forget it. Thank you, and continue to have faith in your Croatian youth - we will not disappoint you! Bozo Skoko

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