Image by ROMAN DZIUBALO on Adobe Stock
Lea
COUNTRY
Croatia
Current School
High School
How did you feel when you learned you’d be moving to the Hampton Roads area in the US?
Ever since I had a taste of the international surroundings I knew it was where I belonged. The International School in Belgium, which I attended at 10 years old, left a mark on my heart and engraved itself on it. Since then, I knew I wanted to study abroad when I grew up. Unexpectedly, this dream of mine became a reality way quicker than I anticipated. When my father announced that we were moving to Virginia, the United States, I was shocked and excited at the same time. I knew great opportunities would await for me in this new place I now call home.
Was the educational system in the US different from your home country’s? If so, do you prefer it or not, and why?
The United States educational system is most definitely different from the one in Croatia. Firstly, in the US we get to choose our own subjects which match our preferences. In my home country, we are required to take a set number of required classes without having a say in them. Secondly, America definitely offers so many more extracurricular activities, all varying from sport to academic clubs. I really appreciate this because it allows each person to chase their unique talents. You are even allowed to create your own clubs! Thirdly, all of the teachers are very approachable. I feel very confident in talking with my professors about topics outside of the subject they are teaching. There are so many reasons why I personally truly do prefer the United States school system, but these would be my main points.
Did you keep in touch with your friends and relatives from where you previously lived? If yes, what method worked best, and/or how often are you able to contact them?
Keeping in touch with relatives and friends is challenging once you experience moving across continents. I find myself feeling homesick often, and sometimes I wish some of these people to whom I’m close would be with me and guide me. I am not focusing on the negative, though. I know they can’t be with me at the moment, so I try to contact them whenever I’m free. The six-hour difference in time zones definitely makes this a challenging task, but I’m determined to talk to them as often as possible. I usually get a hold of my loved ones through social media, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Messages, etc.
Are you in touch with any other NATO officer kids? Tell us a few things about that experience.
I have met a few international kids so far. They all come from different countries, such as France, Spain, Poland, Albania, etc. It is very interesting to connect with someone because their parents also work in the military. It feels like an immediate bond. Back when I lived in Belgium, I met a Greek girl named Dimitra, who has since been my best friend. Even when I had to move back to Croatia, I still stayed in contact with her, and we still talk today! All of the international kids I meet have various backgrounds, and I love talking to them about the differences between their home country and the United States. Oftentimes, I find that they share the same opinions as me, which is why I’m always open to meeting even more new NATO officer kids. In addition, I believe that some of the upperclassmen NATO kids really helped introduce me to the new environment of American high schools. Since I have experience now, I’m excited to help new international students next year.
What do you usually do for fun after moving here? Do you have any suggestions for activities we could try?
After moving here I found a few shops that help me pursue the activities I’m interested in. Michael’s is a store full of different kinds of tools for creating arts and crafts. Art has been a passion of mine ever since I was little, so I always try to include it in my everyday life. Barnes and Noble is kind of like a big library full of popular books. I got into reading a few years ago and like to read from time to time. I noticed that it improves my English vocabulary and helps me relax. There are so many more shops I like to visit for fun such as Target, Ulta, Walmart, etc. What makes all of these activities an even better experience is meeting new people with whom you can enjoy the new American lifestyle.
Have you been on any trips within the US or to the surrounding countries? If yes, tell us a few things about the experience and make some suggestions on what the rest of us could try.
When I found out we were going to move to the United States I already had some states in mind which I wanted to visit. So far, I have been to Washington, D.C., and New York, which are both quite close to Virginia. I was astonished by the architecture and the way it all looks in real life. It was a dream to be able to experience “the city that never sleeps”. Additionally, I was really excited to try out all of the American fast food restaurants such as Chick-Fil-A, In and Out Burger, Crumbl, Canes, Wingstop, and many more. Most of the food was a pleasant surprise, and I was glad the advertising ads weren’t lying about their delightful taste. For any newcomer, I would most definitely recommend visiting nearby cities, trying out new food, and hanging out around average neighborhoods to really get the true feeling of American culture.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities either in your school or in outside organizations? Tell us about your experience.
Yes, I am involved in many extracurricular activities at my school and outside organizations. I have done lots of volunteering so far with Love Run, Operation Smile, and Path of Paper. These clubs help with raising money for those who are unfortunate and need help. The one club that sticks out to me out of the three is Love Run. Love Run is a fundraiser for CHKD in honor of our club’s president, who suffered from cancer. Another club I joined was Model UN. Here, we practice a type of debate, except we are looking at problems from the perspective of different countries. Just recently, I was accepted into the French National Honor Society, so I am really excited to get involved in helping out the French Club and introducing new people to the language. Lastly, I’m a member of the Art Club and was accepted into the Governor’s School for the Arts, Visual Arts Department. I always try to join as many clubs as I can to find out what really suits me!
How did the language barrier (if applicable) affect your experience? Do you have any tips for future newcomers struggling with learning English?
When I was in fourth grade, my family and I moved to Belgium as I have already mentioned. There I attended an International School which allowed me to become fluent in the English language. So, when I arrived here in the United States I was already very familiar with the language. What I would recommend to newcomers struggling with English would be to not be afraid to make mistakes and be comfortable. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!
What are a few difficulties you faced when moving to the US that you haven’t already mentioned?
There have been a few difficulties I faced when arriving in the United States, but I would say the main one would be understanding the school’s curriculum. Everything is so different from Croatia. I appreciate that we get to choose our own subjects, but oftentimes, I find myself not really knowing what each course is about. Sometimes, not even Americans know what each subject really is, though other than that, I’m really enjoying my time with everything.
What do you wish you had already known before moving to the US?
I truly wish that I knew more about the clubs offered and how to apply to some of them. Lots of these applications were done at the beginning of the year, and I wasn’t there at the time since we moved to Virginia in October. I’m very excited for next year because now I do know a lot more about how each extracurricular activity works.