Arianna’s Journals

October 3, 2026

My exchange so far!

Dobar dan!!

I have been in Varaždin, Croatia for about a month and a half now, and it has been the most amazing experience so far. My first week here was definitely hard, and I was absolutely terrified. Leaving my family at the airport was one of the saddest and hardest things I have ever had to do. I was going from everything I knew in Florida to a completely new country, family, school, and way of life. During my first week, I tried to keep my brain occupied so I wouldn’t think too much about how much I missed Florida.

One of the first things I did was go to Špancirfest with my host family in the center of Varaždin. It was honestly one of the best festivals I have ever been to! There were so many people, performances, music, food stands, and little shops everywhere. I got to try so many new foods, including ćevapi, and I also got to see Varaždin Castle. I ended up going to Špancirfest almost every day that week. I definitely spent way too much money, but I found so many beautiful pieces of jewelry and little things that I wanted to remember the festival by.

I also met up with my Rotary club for coffee, where we talked about my plans for my exchange, school, and activities I want to get involved in. I am trying to stay busy and experience as much as possible while I am here. I am planning to join choir at my school because singing is such a big part of my life, and I have singing lessons starting this month. I also signed up for Model United Nations with the private gymnasium here, which has been a really interesting experience and something completely different from what I normally do.

I also started Croatian classes last week! Learning a new language has definitely been a challenge, but I am really excited about being able to communicate better with people here and understand more of the culture. I have already started learning little Croatian words and phrases, and I am hoping that by the end of my exchange I will be able to speak much more confidently.

August 27 was my birthday, and even though I was really happy to be in Croatia, I was definitely sad that I couldn't celebrate with my family back home. My host family made the day really special for me. I went on a huge Bershka shopping spree for my birthday and found so many cute clothes that I loved. Later, my host family took me to a sushi restaurant called Madai because they know how much I loveeeee Asian food. After dinner, we went back to Špancirfest, where we watched a band playing on stage and danced together. It wasn't the birthday I would normally have at home, but it became a birthday I will always remember.

When I went to Zagreb, I also went shopping at Zara and found some of the most beautiful pieces of clothing. I have really enjoyed shopping in Croatia and finding stores and clothes that I don't have back home.

I have also been lucky enough to travel to so many beautiful places already. I went to Pula and got to stay at my host family's seaside house, which was such was an insane experience. They live right on the sea and the beaches were beautiful and rocky. It hurts your feet but it's worth it. I have also visited Istria, Krka, Rijeka, and Zagreb. Every place has been so different, and I love getting to see more of Croatia. I am hoping to visit Dubrovnik soon too! Hopefully I will get so see the Game of Thrones locations!!

School started about three weeks ago, and I have already made so many new friends. It has been really fun getting to know everyone and experiencing what school is like in Croatia. The classes are SO much harder than what I'm used to back at home. One funny thing is that I have probably shown my driver's license to almost everyone I meet because I am so excited about having it. It has basically become a joke at this point. Everyone has been so welcoming, and I already have so many people asking to hang out and make plans with me. I love that I came here not knowing anyone and somehow already have so many people I can spend time with.

Looking back at my first month and a half, I am so glad I pushed myself through that first difficult week. I was so scared when I first arrived, but now everything feels so different. I feel a lot more independence here that I have never experienced too. I am meeting new people, getting involved in school, traveling, going out with friends, spending time with my host family, learning Croatian, and experiencing so many things that I never would have experienced back home.

I know I still have so much more to experience, and I am really excited to see what the rest of my exchange brings! I will update more soon!!