November 4, 2020 – A look at how a 27-year-old American moves to Croatia to study game development at the University of Algebra.
As 24sata reports, One year ago, Nathan Sievers decided to pack his bags and move to Croatia to study game development at the University of Algebra. From an early age, Nathan knew that he wanted to design video games, which he has been doing recreationally since he was 10 years old. However, Nathan studied mathematics in America at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he also found a video game development learning programme.
"That's how I managed to graduate twice – mathematics with an emphasis on programming languages and video games. I later researched colleges outside of America where I could study applied mathematics and I wanted it to be my full-time career, but I came to the conclusion that what I love about mathematics is precisely its applicability in video games," says Nathan, adding that it was important to him that his work is visible outside of academia and that people could enjoy it.
He did great in Croatia
After graduation, he spent time traveling the world and worked as a freelancer. On one of his trips, he visited Croatia and fell completely in love with it.
"Apart from the fascinating natural beauty, I liked the attitude of Croats towards life, your culture, and lifestyle. When I came here, I felt peace and I knew this was a country where I could spend part of my life. So I searched the faculties to continue my studies to see if I could stay here - and I found Algebra," says Nathan enthusiastically.
When he went into study research and found the Game Development programme, he was thrilled with it.
"I felt that I had the opportunity to live in a new place that I enjoyed when I first visited it and that I found a college just right for me," says Nathan.
So Nathan packed his bags and moved to the other side of the world. Although it wasn’t his first time to move abroad (he had already done it once by moving to Australia), now it was a little different for him because the speaking area is not English. But he did great.
Studying is just one of the reasons for moving to Croatia
Nathan completed his first year of graduate studies in Algebra, which he partially attended online because of the coronavirus. He returned to California from Croatia by chance.
"I was planning to go on a study trip to Japan, but I didn't fly with my colleagues. I went to Los Angeles first to do something at home. When we got back, I used the same route because I bought a return ticket, so I stopped in Los Angeles first. Then the corona gained momentum, the lectures were canceled, and I had to stay there. If the situation had been different, I don't know if I would have returned to America," says Nathan.
Still, he is very pleased with Algebra's online lectures.
"It's easier and better when the lectures are live, but I think Algebra did a great job. They prepared very well and provided us with lectures at the highest possible level, so I am satisfied," says Nathan, but admits that he can't wait to return to Croatia.
"I managed to visit some beautiful places while living in Croatia for a short time. You have a beautiful coast and islands, so I can’t wait for the pandemic to end so I can come back. Studying is great, but it’s just one of the reasons why I moved here. I also like the idea of staying there for a few years. I hope to pack up as soon as possible and come again," he says.
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