Meet Hazal, a dancer, language enthusiast, and free spirit who embraces life with positivity and creativity. Originally from Turkey, Hazal’s journey has taken her from Istanbul to Bosnia and now to Zagreb, Croatia. Along the way, she’s built a successful career in Human Resources and is now stepping into an exciting new chapter as a coach.
With a love for languages- she speaks Turkish, English, Croatian fluently, and Spanish at an impressive upper-intermediate level- Hazal has a knack for connecting with people across cultures. In this interview, she shares her experiences of adapting to life in Croatia, the joys and challenges of learning the language, and how living abroad has transformed her perspective.
Hazal, Can you tell something about yourself to the OLS platform?
I am a dancer and an artist. I see life through positivity and creativity. My explorer and free spirit always encourages me to live life to the fullest. I am Turkish, currently living in Zagreb, Croatia. I have had a long career in Human Resources and now, I am stepping into a new career as a Coach. My super power is languages. My native tongue is Turkish; I also speak English and Croatian fluently and Spanish at an (upper) intermediate level. I have lived so far in Turkey, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the United States and Croatia.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey from Turkey to Bosnia and then Zagreb? What brought you here?
My job :) I worked for a Croatian multinational company for many years. I started working in the Istanbul office of that company and later on I was offered first a relocation to Bosnia & Herzegovina and then later on, to Zagreb and took over a new role and additional responsibilities with each move.
How did your experiences in Bosnia prepare you for life in Croatia?
The first thing that comes to my mind is language! I learned Bosnian and that helped a lot in my transition to Croatia. Also, being an expat in Bosnia prepared me for an expat life in Croatia as well.
What were your first impressions of Zagreb, and have they changed over time?
I was a bit unlucky with the timing of my move to Zagreb because unfortunately, it was Covid time and my first year in Zagreb was mostly working from home and being in lockdown or under certain measures that were implemented at the time. This period was challenging for me and I did not get to experience the city that much. When Covid ended, it sure had a big and positive impact on my life and finally I was able to get out and meet new people! What I like about Zagreb is the safety and convenience it offers for a quality life.
How was your experience learning Croatian?
When I moved to Zagreb, I was already speaking the language but it took some time for me to get familiar with the accent and the Croatian vocabulary.
There are similarities between Turkish and Croatian in vocabulary due to historic reasons, have that helped you learn the language?
Not really, to be frank. Because some of those words, despite coming from Turkish origin, are slightly changed to accommodate the Croatian phonetics and sometimes are even used in a different context. However, it's still quite fun to be able to say some Croatian words that sound like Turkish!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while learning Croatian?
Padeži and genders, Croatian has more cases and they are more complicated. Also, we do not have gender pronouns or adjectives in Turkish, meaning we do not conjugate the verbs or adjectives according to a male or female speaker. Nouns are also not assigned any gender. So, although I know the difference between “čitao sam” i “čitala sam”, I do not have a feeling for it.
What do you think about OLS platform and do you find it useful?
I think OLS is a great resource for language assistance. It’s efficient, user-friendly, and provides valuable support for improving language skills. A solid choice for anyone in need of linguistic help!
Are there any funny or interesting Croatian words or expressions that stand out to you?
“Bok”. Because “bok” in Turkish means “shit” and it is funny to be greeting people with this word. But I got used to it a long time ago.
You are a real polyglot and you learn another languages as well, tell us more about it!
I think it comes from my dad. He is also very talented in languages and in his youth, he was able to learn and speak different languages quite fast! So, I guess it runs in the family!
Which languages are still on your wishlist?
That’s a good question! Definitely French and maybe I would continue with German.
How would you compare the culture in Croatia to that of Turkey?
I think it is safe to say that in Turkish culture, emotions come first and we, as Turks, are more impulsive than Croatians. Also, Croatia has also a more individualistic approach to relationships where Turks are more “community” type of people.
Have you noticed any shared cultural elements between Turkey and Croatia, perhaps linked to history or heritage?
Both Croatian and Turkish have similar phrases or expressions. I think that shows the similarity of life views and heritage between both cultures.
How does your daily life in Zagreb compare to your life in Turkey?
Well, in Zagreb, there is definitely less commute and less traffic :) I am from a big city called Izmir and I also lived in Istanbul for eight years, and trust me, in those big cities, getting to places is not easy! And it certainly takes much more time than it does in Zagreb! Also, my quality of life has increased here, because Turkey unfortunately does not offer a stable economy. In Croatia, I get to enjoy having a higher power of purchase which makes a huge difference in daily life.
What are some of your favorite spots in Zagreb? Why do you love them?
Jarun Lake for sure, because I love nature and Jarun offers a great combination of blue and green :) I also like Zrinjevac and Strossmayer parks/squares because again, they offer a green scenery and they are also in the center.
Have you developed a close circle of Croatian friends?
How have they influenced your experience in Croatia?
I have a circle of Croatian friends but unfortunately, I would not say a very close circle. However, I have quite amazing Croatian friends in my life who absolutely make a huge difference in my experience here. My close circle is actually a group of Turkish friends, who also live here in Zagreb for a longer period of time. I think the experience of being an expat/foreigner here bonded us even more.
How would you compare Turkish and Croatian cuisine?
Well, Croatia has a cuisine that is based mostly on meat and potatoes in the inner parts of the country, and a cuisine that is based on fish and seafood in the coastal area (which makes sense!). While Turkey has a similar aspect, I think our cuisine is the richest in the world, to be honest! There is a variety of vegetables and fruits available due to its climate and also, the Ottoman heritage (recipes served in palaces etc…) offers a huge variety of combinations and recipes that you would not even imagine!
Do you have a favorite Croatian dish (that’s maybe Turkish as well)?
I love štrukli! While it is similar to some Turkish dishes, I do not think that it is of Turkish origin.
Have you introduced any Turkish dishes to your Croatian friends?
To some yes, but I think what they most love is the Turkish breakfast I make for them! It is truly an experience.
How do you usually spend your weekends or free time here?
I am a dancer and athlete. Therefore, I spend quite some time in the dance studio and in the gym. I also go out or hang out with my Turkish friends.
Have you had the chance to explore other parts of Croatia? Which places have you enjoyed the most?
Plitvice, Lika, Hvar, Split… Croatia offers quite a bit of scenery!
Are there any places in Croatia that you haven’t visited yet but would love to see?
Yes! Given the fact that Croatia has over a thousand islands, I am sure it will take some years for me to visit even a good number of them! But yes, I would love to explore the islands that I have not been on.
How has moving to Zagreb influenced your understanding of Turkish and Croatian cultures?
When you live abroad as a foreigner for a long time, you start seeing both the differences and similarities between the cultures. In my case, I was very critical of my own country before, I still am in some aspects, but I learned to appreciate a lot of things about my local culture that I did not appreciate before. But still, living in different cultures adds so much richness to your life and understanding of it!
What advice would you give to someone from Turkey considering moving to Croatia?
Research the culture, be clear on your expectations and then decide if this is your destination. Frankly, I would give this advice not only for Croatia but for any country. Culture makes a whole lot of difference in life and living in a foreign country requires quite a bit of adaptation and it can be very challenging. Therefore, if you plan living abroad (not just visiting), it is crucial to be informed about the dynamics of living in that country.
What does living in Zagreb mean to you, and how has it shaped your personal growth?
Personal growth is really the right phrase here. I would also say; self-discovery. I learned so much about myself- who I am, what I would like to do with my life, what I love, what I enjoy… I think it is very important to get to know yourself. The only person that accompanies us for the rest of our lives is us! That being said, I can now say that I am ready for the next phase of my life!
Thank you for being a part of Hazal’s journey! We’d love to hear your thoughts or anything you'd like to share, so feel free to leave a comment below.
With a love for languages- she speaks Turkish, English, Croatian fluently, and Spanish at an impressive upper-intermediate level- Hazal has a knack for connecting with people across cultures. In this interview, she shares her experiences of adapting to life in Croatia, the joys and challenges of learning the language, and how living abroad has transformed her perspective.
Hazal, Can you tell something about yourself to the OLS platform?
I am a dancer and an artist. I see life through positivity and creativity. My explorer and free spirit always encourages me to live life to the fullest. I am Turkish, currently living in Zagreb, Croatia. I have had a long career in Human Resources and now, I am stepping into a new career as a Coach. My super power is languages. My native tongue is Turkish; I also speak English and Croatian fluently and Spanish at an (upper) intermediate level. I have lived so far in Turkey, Bosnia & Herzegovina, the United States and Croatia.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey from Turkey to Bosnia and then Zagreb? What brought you here?
My job :) I worked for a Croatian multinational company for many years. I started working in the Istanbul office of that company and later on I was offered first a relocation to Bosnia & Herzegovina and then later on, to Zagreb and took over a new role and additional responsibilities with each move.
How did your experiences in Bosnia prepare you for life in Croatia?
The first thing that comes to my mind is language! I learned Bosnian and that helped a lot in my transition to Croatia. Also, being an expat in Bosnia prepared me for an expat life in Croatia as well.
What were your first impressions of Zagreb, and have they changed over time?
I was a bit unlucky with the timing of my move to Zagreb because unfortunately, it was Covid time and my first year in Zagreb was mostly working from home and being in lockdown or under certain measures that were implemented at the time. This period was challenging for me and I did not get to experience the city that much. When Covid ended, it sure had a big and positive impact on my life and finally I was able to get out and meet new people! What I like about Zagreb is the safety and convenience it offers for a quality life.
How was your experience learning Croatian?
When I moved to Zagreb, I was already speaking the language but it took some time for me to get familiar with the accent and the Croatian vocabulary.
There are similarities between Turkish and Croatian in vocabulary due to historic reasons, have that helped you learn the language?
Not really, to be frank. Because some of those words, despite coming from Turkish origin, are slightly changed to accommodate the Croatian phonetics and sometimes are even used in a different context. However, it's still quite fun to be able to say some Croatian words that sound like Turkish!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while learning Croatian?
Padeži and genders, Croatian has more cases and they are more complicated. Also, we do not have gender pronouns or adjectives in Turkish, meaning we do not conjugate the verbs or adjectives according to a male or female speaker. Nouns are also not assigned any gender. So, although I know the difference between “čitao sam” i “čitala sam”, I do not have a feeling for it.
What do you think about OLS platform and do you find it useful?
I think OLS is a great resource for language assistance. It’s efficient, user-friendly, and provides valuable support for improving language skills. A solid choice for anyone in need of linguistic help!
Are there any funny or interesting Croatian words or expressions that stand out to you?
“Bok”. Because “bok” in Turkish means “shit” and it is funny to be greeting people with this word. But I got used to it a long time ago.
You are a real polyglot and you learn another languages as well, tell us more about it!
I think it comes from my dad. He is also very talented in languages and in his youth, he was able to learn and speak different languages quite fast! So, I guess it runs in the family!
Which languages are still on your wishlist?
That’s a good question! Definitely French and maybe I would continue with German.
How would you compare the culture in Croatia to that of Turkey?
I think it is safe to say that in Turkish culture, emotions come first and we, as Turks, are more impulsive than Croatians. Also, Croatia has also a more individualistic approach to relationships where Turks are more “community” type of people.
Have you noticed any shared cultural elements between Turkey and Croatia, perhaps linked to history or heritage?
Both Croatian and Turkish have similar phrases or expressions. I think that shows the similarity of life views and heritage between both cultures.
How does your daily life in Zagreb compare to your life in Turkey?
Well, in Zagreb, there is definitely less commute and less traffic :) I am from a big city called Izmir and I also lived in Istanbul for eight years, and trust me, in those big cities, getting to places is not easy! And it certainly takes much more time than it does in Zagreb! Also, my quality of life has increased here, because Turkey unfortunately does not offer a stable economy. In Croatia, I get to enjoy having a higher power of purchase which makes a huge difference in daily life.
What are some of your favorite spots in Zagreb? Why do you love them?
Jarun Lake for sure, because I love nature and Jarun offers a great combination of blue and green :) I also like Zrinjevac and Strossmayer parks/squares because again, they offer a green scenery and they are also in the center.
Have you developed a close circle of Croatian friends?
How have they influenced your experience in Croatia?
I have a circle of Croatian friends but unfortunately, I would not say a very close circle. However, I have quite amazing Croatian friends in my life who absolutely make a huge difference in my experience here. My close circle is actually a group of Turkish friends, who also live here in Zagreb for a longer period of time. I think the experience of being an expat/foreigner here bonded us even more.
How would you compare Turkish and Croatian cuisine?
Well, Croatia has a cuisine that is based mostly on meat and potatoes in the inner parts of the country, and a cuisine that is based on fish and seafood in the coastal area (which makes sense!). While Turkey has a similar aspect, I think our cuisine is the richest in the world, to be honest! There is a variety of vegetables and fruits available due to its climate and also, the Ottoman heritage (recipes served in palaces etc…) offers a huge variety of combinations and recipes that you would not even imagine!
Do you have a favorite Croatian dish (that’s maybe Turkish as well)?
I love štrukli! While it is similar to some Turkish dishes, I do not think that it is of Turkish origin.
Have you introduced any Turkish dishes to your Croatian friends?
To some yes, but I think what they most love is the Turkish breakfast I make for them! It is truly an experience.
How do you usually spend your weekends or free time here?
I am a dancer and athlete. Therefore, I spend quite some time in the dance studio and in the gym. I also go out or hang out with my Turkish friends.
Have you had the chance to explore other parts of Croatia? Which places have you enjoyed the most?
Plitvice, Lika, Hvar, Split… Croatia offers quite a bit of scenery!
Are there any places in Croatia that you haven’t visited yet but would love to see?
Yes! Given the fact that Croatia has over a thousand islands, I am sure it will take some years for me to visit even a good number of them! But yes, I would love to explore the islands that I have not been on.
How has moving to Zagreb influenced your understanding of Turkish and Croatian cultures?
When you live abroad as a foreigner for a long time, you start seeing both the differences and similarities between the cultures. In my case, I was very critical of my own country before, I still am in some aspects, but I learned to appreciate a lot of things about my local culture that I did not appreciate before. But still, living in different cultures adds so much richness to your life and understanding of it!
What advice would you give to someone from Turkey considering moving to Croatia?
Research the culture, be clear on your expectations and then decide if this is your destination. Frankly, I would give this advice not only for Croatia but for any country. Culture makes a whole lot of difference in life and living in a foreign country requires quite a bit of adaptation and it can be very challenging. Therefore, if you plan living abroad (not just visiting), it is crucial to be informed about the dynamics of living in that country.
What does living in Zagreb mean to you, and how has it shaped your personal growth?
Personal growth is really the right phrase here. I would also say; self-discovery. I learned so much about myself- who I am, what I would like to do with my life, what I love, what I enjoy… I think it is very important to get to know yourself. The only person that accompanies us for the rest of our lives is us! That being said, I can now say that I am ready for the next phase of my life!
Thank you for being a part of Hazal’s journey! We’d love to hear your thoughts or anything you'd like to share, so feel free to leave a comment below.