Katarina Zeravica

Katarina Žeravica

Teaching assistant at Drama Department, Academy of Arts in Osijek, University of Osijek, Croatia
PhD candidate in Literature and Cultural Identity Studies, Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek, University of Osijek, Croatia
MA, English Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek, University of Osijek, Croatia

As an academic at the Drama Department I get a chance to work with students of acting and puppetry, theatre makers/practitioners and other academics. I also take part in various projects concerning theatre which I find very rewarding, exciting and challenging. On the other hand, being involved in different projects leaves me with little time to work on my PhD research which focuses on the plays of the Swiss playwright and novelist Max Frisch, looking particularly at the use of irony and satire in Frisch's fiction.

The Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies provides me with valuable time to work on my PhD dissertation. I also got to meet other research fellows from Central Europe and through the exchange of our experiences we are building a firm basis for lifelong friendships and future collaborations. Being a research fellow at the Wirth Institute enables me to apply for various conferences in North America and to establish international contacts with people from my discipline/field of research. Another benefit of this fellowship is the access to the local university library where I can find and get all the materials and literature I need for my PhD dissertation. Moreover, through the interlibrary loan I can order whatever item I need from libraries worldwide.

It is also important to mention that one of my responsibilities is to be a liaison between the Wirth Institute and the local Croatian community, to keep them informed about different events organized by the Wirth Institute which may be of their interest etc. In doing so, I have a chance to meet interesting and friendly people of Croatian descent and to learn more about their life in Edmonton.

I can say that it was a challenge to apply for this fellowship and having been given this opportunity to do my PhD work here I also got a chance to learn more about places and people of different cultural, social and historical background. Living in a world that is in many ways different from the one I come from has contributed to my personal growth and has helped me shape new attitudes towards life and enrich my experience on a personal and professional level.

Contact

E-mail: zeravica@ualberta.ca; katarina.zeravica@uaos.hr
Telephone: +1 780 492 6095
Address:
University of Alberta
Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies
Suite 300 G
Arts & Convocation Hall
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2E6

Academy of Arts in Osijek:

http://www.uaos.hr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=118&Itemid=117&lang=hr