April 3, 2020 – Do foreigners in Croatia feel more or less safe sitting out COVID-19 here than in their home country, and what are their experiences? A new series on TCN, with Liz Hendriksen in Zagreb as our 19th contributor.
Oxford University recently published some research on government responses to coronavirus which showed that Croatia currently has the strictest measures in the world. While inconvenient, this is a good thing in terms of reducing the spread of the virus, and I am certainly not alone in my admiration of the official Croatian handling of this crisis in recent weeks, both in terms of action and communication.
But what do other expats here think? And how does it compare with the response in their home country? Would they rather sit this one out here or there? In the first of a new series on TCN, we will be featuring expats from all over the world to see what their views are on life in corona Croatia rather than back home. So far we have heard from expats in Croatia from Romania, USA, Ireland, UK, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Singapore, Holland, Canada, India, Hong Kong and Germany. Next up, Eugene Brcic Jones from Australia in Zagreb. Next up, Liz Hendriksen from Canada, currently holed up in Zagreb.
If you would like to contribute to this series, full details are below. Now, over to Liz.
FIRSTLY, HOW ARE YOU? ARE YOU ALONE/WITH SOMEONE? TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR SITUATION AND SANITY LEVELS.
I’m doing well. I just moved to Zagreb in January after seven years in Salzburg, Austria, so it’s an interesting time to acclimate to a new country and lifestyle.
I live with my husband Klaud and our Dorkie Merina. We’re both working from home and have been for some time now. I am a copywriter with a background marketing and communications. My husband is a transportation designer. As such, it’s no big deal for us to do a home office, we continue to message each other on WhatsApp from the same room, and we’re both sticking to normal work schedules during the day. That could change as the economics of the crisis become more tenuous, but we take things one day at a time. Like everyone else.
Sanity levels are good, though they did take a hit after the earthquake. A cold pint in a dark bar would have been the perfect medicine for us, but now’s not the time.
We walk the dog a lot. Fresh air is a good thing.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING, ARE THEY HELPING YOUR BUSINESS?
I quite literally finalised opening my small copywriting and marketing business here last week. Great timing, eh?
As such, I’d love to have a better understanding of any stimulus or support measures that the government is offering. Though, as I’ve been here such a short time, I’d be very surprised if I am eligible for anything.
WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT CORONA WAS GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE?
Friday, March 13th. That day, my best friend was flying here to visit for a week. I had to get a stamp for my business that morning. On my walk I could see the shops filling with customers stocking up, but the streets were empty. When I returned home from my errand, I got on the phone with LOT Airlines and postponed her trip.
I felt like things were going downhill, and I’m glad I made the decision. Croatia, Canada, and Poland (she changed planes in Warsaw) started instituting restrictions the next day. She would have gotten off the plane and we would have sent her right back.
WHAT IS YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE WAY CROATIA IS DEALING WITH THE CRISIS? HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL?
I feel quite safe overall. My husband and I have remarked often about how impressed we are with the response here. Restrictions were put in place well ahead of things escalating and communication is solid.
The only concern is that if one of us did get sick, we’ll be somewhere relatively new to us where we don’t speak the language.
NOW COMPARE THAT TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY AND HOW THEY ARE HANDLING IT. WHAT IS CROATIA DOING BETTER/WORSE?
In Canada, the virus is spreading quickly. There is speculation that this is due in part to the large number of Canadians abroad that came home. I get the sense overall however, that the country is managing well enough. In my opinion, that’s due to non-partisan leadership during a crisis.
In terms of what Croatia is doing better? I think the Croatian leaders are doing a better job of implementing measures quickly. Also, the quantities of product in stores is impressive. People in Canada complain about shortages and empty shelves, but they’re also hoarding! I’ve not seen anything like that here.
I don’t think Croatia is doing anything worse than Canada. Perhaps the Prime Minister here could also grow a beard like Justin Trudeau’s? That seems to be helping him look more serious.
WHAT ABOUT OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUTHORITIES, COMPARED TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY?
My feeling is that the official communication from the Croatian government is straightforward, relatively reliable, and being done with regularity.
I get the impression that Canada’s communication frequency – at a federal level – is more-or-less equal to what’s happening here. The difference with Canada is that it is so vast, so on a provincial level the frequency probably varies.
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU HAD TAKEN WITH YOU INTO SELF-ISOLATION?
I wish I had a bathtub. I love our apartment, but its only drawback is that it only has a shower. These last few weeks of staying in have made my daydreams of a long soak in a deep tub verge on the inappropriate.
ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF, AND ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT OTHERS DURING THIS CRISIS.
One thing I’ve learned about myself is that I am much less introverted than I thought I was. Messaging friends and colleagues on all channels is the highlight of my day.
What I’ve learned about others is a reflection of what I’m learning about the Croatian people in general. How warm, welcoming, and accommodating people can be.
ABOUT ME
Hey! My name is Liz and I’d currently describe myself as a 37-year old Canadian woman living in Croatia with her husband Klaud and Dorkie Merina. Professionally, I am a copywriter with a background in marketing communications. Personally, I’d describe myself as a good times enthusiast. I.e. a person who likes to pursue what is comfortable and enjoyable in life, while making those closest to her happy. After seven years living and working in Salzburg, Austria, I am looking forward to exploring a new country and new ways of appreciating life.
Thanks, Liz, stay safe and see you on the other side.
TCN is starting a new feature series on foreign experiences of sitting out covid-19 here in Croatia compared to their home country. If you would like to contribute, the questions are below. Please also include a para about yourself and where you are from, and a link to your website if you would like. Please also send 3-4 photos minimum to [email protected] Subject Corona Foreigner
If you would be interested to record a video version for our partners www.rplus.video please let us know in the email. Thanks and stay safe.
Foreigners Self-Isolating in Croatia: Do You Feel Safer Than in Your Home Country?
Firstly, how are you? Are you alone/with someone? Tell us a little about your situation and sanity levels.
What do you think about the economic measures the government is taking, are they helping your business? (PLEASE IGNORE IF THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOU)
When did you realise that corona was going to be a big issue?
What is your impression of the way Croatia is dealing with the crisis? How safe do you feel?
Now compare that to your home country and how they are handling it. What is Croatia doing better/worse?
What about official communications from the authorities, compared to your home country?
What’s the one thing you wish you had taken with you into self-isolation.
One thing you have learned about yourself, and one thing you have learned about others during this crisis.
TCN has recently become a partner in Robert Tomic Zuber’s new R+ video channel, initially telling stories about corona experiences. You can see the first TCN contribution from this morning, my video from Jelsa talking about the realities of running a news portal in the corona era below. If you would like to also submit a video interview, please find Robert’s guidelines below
VIDEO RECORDING GUIDE
The video footage should be recorded so that the cell phone is turned horizontally (landscape mode).
There are several rules for television and video news:- length is not a virtue- a picture speaks more than a thousand words
In short, this would mean that your story should not last more than 90 seconds and that everything you say in the report should be shown by video (for example, if you talk about empty streets, we should see those empty streets, etc.).
How to do it with your cell phone? First, use a selfie camera to record yourself telling your story for about a minute and a half. Ideally, it would be taken in the exterior, except in situations where you are reporting on things in the interior (quarantine, hospital, self-isolation, etc.). Also, when shooting, move freely, make sure everything is not static.
After you have recorded your report, you should capture footage that will tell your story with a picture, such as an earlier example with empty streets.
One of the basic rules of TV journalism is that the story is told in the same way as a journalist with his text. Therefore, we ask you for additional effort. Because we work in a very specific situation, sometimes you may not be able to capture footage for each sentence of the report. In this case, record the details on the streets: people walking, the main features of the city where you live, inscriptions on the windows related to the virus, etc.
The same rules apply if you are shooting a story from your apartment, self-isolation, quarantine. We also need you to capture footage that describes your story.
When shooting frames to cover your reports, it is important that you change the angle of the shot (in other words, shoot that empty street from several angles). Also, when shooting a detail, count at least five seconds before removing the camera to another detail.
The material should be about 5 minutes long (90 seconds of your report + frames to cover your story).
After recording everything, send us to Zagreb, preferably via WeTransfer to [email protected]
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Foreigners Self-Isolating in Croatia: Do You Feel Safer? Mirela from Romania
Foreigners Self-Isolating in Croatia: Do You Feel Safer? Jason from Ireland/USA
Foreigners Self-Isolating in Croatia: Do You Feel Safer? Steve from UK in Vinkovci
Foreigners Self-Isolating in Croatia: Do You Feel Safer? Gaby from Mexico
