Croatian Learning Community and Resources

❝ My Language Learning Journey ❞ / María Isabel Robles Toledano 

Today, we introduce you to María Isabel Robles Toledano, a wonderful 24-year-old from the region of Andalusia, Spain. With a degree in English Studies and a deep-rooted passion for languages, history, and culture, María Isabel has always been drawn to exploring the world through communication and connection. 

Currently volunteering in Croatia as part of the European Solidarity Corps, María Isabel dedicates her time to teaching Spanish while immersing herself in the rich Croatian way of life. Her story is one of growth, resilience, and the unique joys of discovering a new language and culture. From tranquil walks along the Drava River in Osijek to learning the nuances of the Croatian language, María Isabel’s journey is a testament to the life-changing experiences Erasmus+ offers. We’re excited to share her reflections, insights, and advice for anyone ready to embrace their own adventure abroad. 

Hi, Maria. Can you introduce yourself to the OLS Croatian community? 

Hello everyone, I'm Maria Isabel and I'm 24 years old. I'm from Andalucia, in the south of Spain. I have a bachelor’s degree in English studies as I am passionate about languages, history, literature and culture. Since I was a child, I have always known that I wanted to study this. I am passionate about reading, travelling, writing and socialising. I also enjoy writing. Currently I am in Croatia volunteering within a European Solidarity Corps project where my main activity is teaching Spanish, among others. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Zagreb, January 2023 

How long were you in Osijek? Describe us the city! 

I arrived in Osijek, north-eastern Croatia in September 2022. I didn't know where Osijek was when I applied for Erasmus at the University. But I was very surprised when I arrived here. I had no expectations at all. It was totally different from Spain, and I had a lot to discover. I spent 5 months studying at the Faculty of Humanities in Osijek. To be honest, I felt very welcomed by both the students and the teachers.  

Osijek is not very big although they say it is the 4th biggest city in the country. For me it is a place full of peace, a very green place. The walks in Promenada by the Drava River are very peaceful. It is always full of people drinking coffee when the weather is nice. It is wonderful to walk through the green parks, cross to the Baranja area where everything is nature. Osijek is also a cultural mix which is reflected in its buildings. It has a mixture of the Astro-Hungarian empire, the Ottoman empire and the Balkan countries. Life in Osijek is peaceful and quiet. The entertainment can be found in Tvrda, where there are small pubs.  

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, River Drava, 2023 

Was it difficult to find good accommodation? 

It was not very difficult for me to find a place to stay because a friend gave me a contact person. Most Erasmus students live in student residences. However, the rent in Osijek is not expensive at all, if you compare it with other Erasmus places. It is a city where Erasmus students can afford to live this experience. 

What did you like most about Osijek and Croatia? 

What I liked the most was the peace. Although Osijek is not the typical Erasmus city that everyone dreams of. Nevertheless, it allows you to live this experience in different ways. The fact that it is on the border of several countries gives you the possibility to travel.  

I really liked how the local people welcomed me, not only in my Erasmus but in my experience as a volunteer. I liked how people wanted to get to know you and once they got to know you, they gave you a warm welcome. They are very caring and grateful people. 

What did you enjoy doing the most with your friends? What are the places for fun around there? 

With my Erasmus friends we used to go to Tvrda where the leisure area is located. We used to rent a place where we invited Erasmus students and had parties. I said, Osijek is not the prototypical city that you imagine when you go on Erasmus. There are not parties every day.  

At the beginning it was very difficult for us to listen to Balkan music at all the parties, that's why we liked it when the Erasmus Organisation arranged international parties. There we could listen and dance to international music and feel more comfortable. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Christmas Market in Osijek, 2023 

Did you have the chance to travel to other parts of Croatia? Is there any place you would recommend or that you particularly liked? 

Unfortunately, I have not had much chance to travel in Croatia due to poor connections. I have visited Zagreb, Zadar and some towns in Slavonia. Each part of Croatia has its own special charm as they are very different.  

Nevertheless, I was able to travel to Slovenia, Belgrade and Budapest, which were striking to see how different each city is. They are different from their architecture to their way of life. 

Have you tried Croatian cuisine? What is Slavonian food like for you and what’s your favorite dish? 

Yes of course, I have tried everything from ‘ćevapi’ to ‘kolači’. I was surprised by the gastronomy as I expected it to be very different. I can't say which is my favourite dish. It is difficult to choose between ‘ćevapi’, ‘ajvar’, ‘sarma’ or ‘burek’.  

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Croatian food, 2023 

Did you find it difficult to adapt to the language? Did you speak Croatian when you arrived? 

When I arrived the first day in Croatia, I didn't understand anything. I had studied languages and none of them could relate to Croatian. Going to the supermarket and knowing what to buy was a game. But in the end, I learned words by logic and how to pronounce those long words with strange sounds. 

Luckily, this year as a volunteer I was lucky enough to be taught Croatian. Understanding the sounds and how the language works makes it all make more sense. As I like languages, I don't find it too complicated to learn. However, if I were a student at a school in Croatia, Croatian would be a difficult subject. The fact that it works with cases makes it a bit more complicated. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Zagreb, 2023 

What language did you use daily? 

I use English for everything, many people understand perfectly well. It is incredible to see how people know English only because they have seen series, and the television is not subtitled. This is a great advantage that we don't have in Spain. This surprised me a lot when the students at the University spoke perfect English using very advanced levels. 

What advice would you give to someone going on an Erasmus+ program in Osijek or Croatia who doesn’t speak the language? 

I would tell that Erasmus student not to worry, he/she will know how to manage and survive. People speak good English. Bear in mind that he/she will also meet more international people, so he/she won't feel so overwhelmed by the language. 

What was your level of Croatian before and after the mobility program? 

I did not know how Croatian looked like. After the mobility, I would say that I had learned few words to survive in bars and supermarkets and trips. 

What do you think of the OLS platform? 

It is a good tool to provide help and information so that young people can start preparing for one of the best experiences of their lives. 

Would you recommend using the Croatian language community to someone going on Erasmus+ in Croatia or another part of Southeastern Europe? 

Of course, you can at least go prepared so that you won't be surprised by the language. It's a way to break the ice with the language. At the very least, you can learn to read the words, the greetings, the food, the places in the city. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Tvrda in Osijek, 2023 

Is there anything cultural about Croatia or Osijek that surprised you? 

POMALO. That quiet way of life in which Croatians go about their day, sometimes a little too quietly. Also, the coffee culture in which people spend hours and hours talking while drinking coffee. 

What was the most valuable lesson you learned during your Erasmus+ experience? 

During Erasmus you live in a bubble of unreality where time goes by very fast. You learn to value every moment, learning from every new person you meet, be it from your own country or from other countries. Also, you learn to value what you have in your country that you can be proud of. You learn to open your mind more, to be more culturally sensitive and to create tools for survival. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Pedestrian bridge in Osijek, 2023 

What do you wish you had known before moving to Osijek? 

The Erasmus was like a dream for me because I always liked to travel, and I wanted to live abroad. This Erasmus was my chance to finish my degree and to explore new paths and opportunities for the future. 

What advice would you give to make the most of the mobility program and Erasmus+ in general? 

Go with the flow, enjoy every moment, do your best meeting people, don’t be closed to meet international people, leave the confort zone, discover and go deep into the locals and cultural. 

Did you face any challenges? How did you overcome them? 

The biggest challenge was getting used to the Kuna and not being able to pay by credit card. One month before the end of the Erasmus, the euro arrived in Croatia. It was chaos to see prices in kuna and not knowing how much you were paying. 

How did your international experience contribute to your professional growth? 

In my Erasmus I discovered the opportunity of the European Solidarity Corps, as I met some volunteers who were here participating in this project. Thanks to them, I was able to get more information about it and I was encouraged to participate in this project. I discovered the organization which is now my organization, and I decided to come back to Osijek to volunteer with them. 

Source: María Isabel Robles Toledano, Ljubljana, 2023 

What skills did you develop during your internship that you think will help you in the future? 

I would say resilience, open mind, calm, survival, adaptation, patience and gratitude. 

What are your future plans after finishing the Erasmus+ program? 

After it, I came back to Spain to finish my degree. Then, I went back to Osijek to be ESC volunteer.  

And finally, how would you define your Erasmus+ experience in one word, and would you recommend? 

Awareness and empowerment.