Anita and the joy of learning Croatian with her son

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A family’s inspiration to embrace Croatian

For Anita, learning Croatian began as a heartfelt necessity. Raised in Austria, she wanted to understand her partner’s Croatian background and ensure she could follow every precious word shared with their young son, Julian. Balancing different cultures in one family can be a challenge, yet Anita approached it with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Soon after enrolling at Let’s Learn Croatian, she realised just how much she enjoyed talking through everyday topics – from simple greetings to family discussions. Her motivation quickly evolved as she discovered genuine excitement within the learning process.

Finding space for triathlons and teaching moments

While Anita’s main motivation was family-related, her life is also packed with other pursuits. Working as a midwife in a hospital keeps her schedule busy, and her passion for triathlons helps balance the demands of her job. Between swimming, running, and cycling, she uses these athletic challenges to stay focused and energised.

Despite her hectic routine, Anita has found ways to weave Croatian practice into her day. She makes use of recorded lessons when she misses a class and even thinks of new Croatian words while training. This lively blend of sport and study has given her a unique rhythm in which to progress.

Understanding the power of tenses

Initially, Anita felt restricted by her ability to speak only in the present tense. She longed to share past anecdotes or future plans but didn’t yet have the language tools. When her group lessons introduced different tenses, she found it truly liberating to talk about last weekend’s family gathering or an upcoming trip without limits.

This moment marked a breakthrough in her confidence. Being able to express precisely what she wanted, instead of just what she could, brought a new level of excitement to her studies and deepened her connection with her Croatian relatives.

Joining a welcoming community

Grammar and vocabulary aside, Anita found her biggest surprise in the friendships formed through online group sessions. She never expected to bond so closely with classmates from different backgrounds, but the warm environment proved a strong motivator. Lessons were filled with supportive exchanges, laughter, and a genuine sense of togetherness.

When a week-long group trip to Croatia was announced, she was determined to join – despite needing to be on call for a friend’s birth. The thought of missing out on shared experiences and progress with the group inspired her to arrange a backup at work, ensuring she could immerse herself in a week of collective learning and fun.

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Bringing Croatian into everyday life

Learning Croatian hasn’t just enriched Anita’s family connections – it also helps her see the subtleties of culture, like how a phrase might literally mean “light” yet convey “uncomplicated.” She now understands the nuances of her in-laws’ conversations, which has strengthened their bond and smoothed communication.

Looking ahead, Anita sees practical benefits in her midwifery work. Many patients speak Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian, and she’s eager to converse directly with them. Confident she’ll continue to grow, Anita counts these skills as one of her most valuable personal investments.

Anita’s journey shows how, with the right support and mindset, learning a new language can become a personally fulfilling adventure. Her dedication, combined with a welcoming community, will continue to fuel her progress – and she’s excited for every milestone ahead.