Expats in Isolation Top 10 Croatia Experiences: Monique from Romania in Podstrana

April 15, 2020 - As people look for escape from the mental stress brought on by the corona crisis, a new series on TCN with local expats in isolation, looking back at their top 10 Croatia experiences so far. Nex up, TCN owner Paul Bradbury from Manchester in Jelsa. 

I have had a LOT of emails and messages asking if TCN could write about something happier than the constant corona updates. I hear your pain, but with so much (sadly bad) news to report and limited resources due to the crisis, this is not so easy. But then I thought of a nice series which might perhaps pique people's interests, focus on the happy stuff, and even unearth some hidden gems to explore at a later date. 

Having done a very successful series with over 30 submissions from expats around the world on their self-isolation experiences in Croatia compared to what is happening in their home country, and then following that with a series on Croats in the diaspora with their corona viewpoint of their country of residence compared to the Homeland, perhaps a happier and more interesting series would be to look at expats here today and their top 10 experiences in Croatia so far. 

We started in Split with Ionut Copiou from Romania. 

Next up, another Romanian - Monique Ioanitescu, who is currently in Podstrana. 

If you would like to contribute to this series, contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Top 10. 

I am also from Romania, from Transylvania region ?‍♀️, near the well known Dracula castle  . I am new in Podstrana, near Split. In the 7 months since I moved here, I have had amazing, beautiful experiences.

3: My Croatian online lessons with, in my eyes, the best teacher in the world, Zrinka Madunic Spiljak! Thanks to her talent & patience  I learn how to say in Croatian the most important things and step by step to trust myself to speak ‍ Bok! 

 

4: The fairytale sunsets from Podstrana  I feel like Alice in Wonderland, each day when I admire them ️ 

Top 6: #pomalo #fjaka #kava I discovered the relaxed way of life and also I learned to make time for my friends, to taste the joy of life & to love the taste of cappuccino with a view on the Riva!   Can't wait for the bakeries to open again  

7: The theatre in Split! I attended a modern dance spectacle - so many talented dancers in a beautiful, old building!

8:  The Adriatic sea itself! This dream beaches & the clean water & the fabulous view! To live by the sea is a totally different way of life! Ia volim more!  

 

10: Business Experience - I opened my own company where I support young women with an international mentoring programme! The support I get from Hitro/Fina as well from my Croatian business partner is great! #girlssupportgirlsaroundtheworld ‍?‍?

Are you an expat in Croatia with a little time on your hands and some fabulous memories and experiences to share? If you would like to participate in this series, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Top 10.

To see the other stories in this series, as well as expat self-isolation stories compared to their home countries, and corona voices in the diaspora, visit the dedicated section.