I moved to Zagreb because after I visited Croatia for four weeks in September , I had an immediate connection to it and wanted to live here. Image credit: Kaleigh Hendershot. Getting used to living in a different country is another story.
While I was in love with Croatia , daily life was so different. The US is faster-paced and service-based. It might sound silly, but something as simple as going to the grocery store is a whole different experience! Then there was going from driving everywhere, as I did back home, to taking trains, trams, buses, and walking everywhere in Zagreb! People in Croatia are much more direct and sometimes intense. People are always together whether it be at coffee or drinks. I have learned that the US is extremely individualistic, and we tend to seek social interaction with strangers, but enjoy doing our own thing most of the time.
My favorite thing about living in Zagreb is the cafe bar culture! I wish the economic situation was better, not just for Zagreb but for all of Croatia, because I think this country is amazing and every Croatian deserves to be able to experience all that it has to offer. I noticed the financial situation within the first month of being here.
I took A1 Croatian language lessons during my first month I was here. To learn another language- difficult. To learn Croatian? However, I still want to learn to be able to engage in conversations that take place around me.
Wish me luck! I continue to form new friendships every day. I do find, though, that making girlfriends is a lot harder here than in the US. Cautious is maybe the word I would use here. In my experience, Croatians in Zagreb are really open to foreigners!
