She left Canada and came to a village near Jastrebarsko with her family: 'I am finally home'

Carol Anne Škovarga, a Canadian of Croatian descent, has traded the hustle of Toronto for the tranquility of a village near Jastrebarsko, Croatia, a move she describes as a homecoming. Her journey, detailed on the HRT program "Dobro jutro, Hrvatska," highlights a profound cultural shift she experienced, stating, "In Canada, we live to work, and in Croatia, people work to live." This fundamental difference in life philosophy was a key factor in her family's decision to permanently relocate.

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In Canada, we live to work, and in Croatia, people work to live.

Raised in a vibrant Croatian community in Canada, Škovarga maintained strong ties to her heritage through folklore, church, and social gatherings. Despite early visits to Croatia leaving a lasting impression, life circumstances led her back to Canada, where she completed her education and started a family. However, the desire to return never faded. A turning point came during the pandemic, which she felt changed both Croatia and her family, revealing a newfound openness to new ideas and a more balanced approach to life.

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When I returned to Canada, I constantly thought about Croatia and how to return.

"When I returned to Canada, I constantly thought about Croatia and how to return," she recalls. The decision to move was swift; they sold their Canadian home and arrived in Croatia in early 2023. Contrary to warnings about bureaucracy, their experience has been overwhelmingly positive. "It's possible. Maybe sometimes a paper is missing, but everything gets resolved," she emphasizes. Now, through her work with a platform providing information on residency, citizenship, and life in Croatia, Škovarga assists other members of the diaspora contemplating a return, sharing her insights and facilitating their transition into what she now considers home.

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Before, I had the feeling that people would say that some things are not done that way. And then they said: 'Come on, great idea, let's try.' Then I realized that maybe it's the right time to move.