Once a year, high school students trade their classrooms for workplaces. This allows them to experience a professional environment, connect with potential future employers, and explore careers that interest them.
During this year’s Social Day, the staff of the Institute for Youth Development KULT welcomed three high school students: Ilhana Jelić and Amila Smailović from the Sarajevo Secondary School of Economics, and Esma Chikha from the Fifth Preparatory High School (Peta gimnazija). For one day, the students swapped their classrooms for desks at the Institute’s office, where they learned about our mission, organisational structure, and day-to-day activities.
Throughout the day, the students participated in the work of the Youth Policy Development Department, the Youth Work Department, and the Public Relations Department. Through practical tasks, they learned many valuable and interesting things that will be helpful to them in the future. Employees talked about their tasks and showed what a typical workday at the Institute looks like.
“It’s the people who make a workplace, and the Institute truly has wonderful employees who welcomed us with professionalism, intelligence, expertise and good sense of humor. After a tour of the premises, we attended a presentation about the Institute and did some practical exercises,” said 18-year-old Esma, who is planning to study architecture.
Esma added that “books can’t teach you everything, and non-formal education has a role to play. The Institute truly offers the kinds of opportunities young people need most.”
Amila shared a similar view: “I think these forms of non-formal education are much more engaging and useful for developing practical skills.”
Ilhana found the tour and learning about the Institute’s work to be the most interesting part of the visit.
By venturing outside the classroom and into the workplace, the students learned more about social engagement, projects that strengthen communities, and what it’s like to work in a team dedicated to empowering young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Social Day at the Institute once again showed how important practical experience is, and how much young people can learn when given the opportunity to experience a real work environment, even if only for a day.
Carried out in partnership with the Association of Secondary School Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Social Day gives young people a chance to step into the world of work, gain their first professional experience, and explore the careers they might one day pursue.
