Fred has already returned to the USA, but his months as an expat in Zagreb, Croatia, have left an indelible mark on his life. He tells about some of the things that he loved most about the Croatia and provides some helpful tips on issues like finding a job and why it would be good to learn to speak the language.	Fred

-Where were you born?

Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA

-In which country and city are you living now?
I’m back living in the Chicago suburbs, but I was living in Zagreb, Croatia

-Are you living alone or with your family?
Family

-How long did you live in Croatia?
I lived in Croatia for 5 months.

-What is your age?
30

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Croatia?
I moved for love, and I had lost my job due to a layoff in the States, so I thought it was a good opportunity to try moving to another country.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Like most countries, one needs to have an employer sponsor you to obtain a work permit, which was difficult in Croatia. I eventually was able to get a job at a language school, but one had to work so many hours before they earned their permit, so yes, it was difficult.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
I got temporary travel insurance, which was easier to obtain, but if you have any pre-existing conditions (I have high blood pressure) many insurance companies will not insure you, so yes it was difficult.

-How did you make your living in Croatia? Did you have any type of income generated?
It was very difficult finding a full-time job in Croatia if you are not a native speaker of the language. It is more of a closed society where you really have to know someone within a company to put in a word for you to get an interview. I eventually found a job teaching English at a language school, but that took months. I simply emailed the school and asked them if they were looking for teachers and they were.

-Did you speak Croatian and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I think it’s one’s obligation to at least learn the basic phrases to get by everyday in your host country. The more you learn the language, the richer your experience will be in your host country. Croatian was a very difficult language to learn, but I did my best by self study and by having a tutor.
It’s also very important to observe local customs, which can also be very fun and a chance for learning.

-Did you miss home and family sometimes?
I missed my family a lot. Especially my young niece. I did miss a lot of the conveniences of the United States, but then grew to love many aspects of Croatia.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I would love to continue to travel more in Europe and someday in South America like Argentina and Brazil.

-What about housing, did you buy or rent a home? How much did you pay for it?
Since I was living with my boyfriend, I didn’t have to pay rent. But he paid roughly $400 USD for a fully-furnished, large studio apartment.

-What is the cost of living in Croatia?
Compared to United States standards, the cost of food and housing is considerably lower, while the price of automobiles and electronic goods like computers were the same if not higher than the US.

-What did you think about the Croatian people?
Croatians are very passionate, social, people who really enjoy good food, good drinks, and a good party which I really liked. The people of Zagreb I did find a bit cold. People were very much into showing off…whether it be the latest fashion, shoes, eyewear or cars. However, outside of Zagreb, and especially in the Istrian coast, people were very warm and friendly.

-What were the positive and negative aspects of living in Croatia?
Croatia is a visually stunning country, with beautiful beaches, hills, mountains and forests. Istria and Dalmatia are especially stunning for the well-preserved architecture going back to the middle ages.

The food is excellent in Croatia.

I liked that Croatia wasn’t as commercial as the States. Not so many chains or mega corporations. Very few fast food chains. Little urban sprawl (though Zagreb is expanding). A lot of great locally-owned businesses.

The negative aspect of living there was just a slower pace of life when it comes to everything…from government bureaucracy, to getting something fixed or repaired, to customer service.

Also the ghosts of communism and the war still exist.

Traffic laws were very relaxed there, and drivers were terrible.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Croatia?
I would say try to make friends with as many people as you can...both fellow expats and locals. Get to know the language, and get out and explore. Also, one has to be VERY patient living in Croatia.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Croatia?
People can check out my own blog at Like a Stranger in Moscow which documents my time in Croatia along with a lot of pictures.

Balkan Baby is also another great blog documenting a man’s travels through the entire Balkan region.