Maria Randall, a 54-year-old from London, left the UK for Croatia in 2023 and discovered that expat life brought unforeseen difficulties alongside its rewards. Within three weeks of a spontaneous trip, she and her husband booked a one-way flight with their dog, seeking a fresh start on the Adriatic coast. However, the rapid transition left her feeling overwhelmed and numb.
"I was exhausted," Randall told creatorzine.com. "People imagine moving abroad is exciting and glamorous, but I felt strangely numb. Everything had happened so quickly that I had barely had time to process it."
Initial Struggles with Everyday Tasks
Her first solo trip to a local supermarket ended in tears after Google Maps failed and she became disoriented. She did not recognise any products on the shelves. "Something as simple as buying food suddenly felt difficult," she recalled. While browsing, a man shouted at her in Croatian, and she burst into tears. Later, she realised he likely thought she was stealing a cereal bar. "Looking back now, it is funny. At the time, I wanted to get on a plane and go home," she said.
Personal Tragedies and Health Scares
Soon after arriving, the couple's dog died, adding to the sense of instability. Within 18 months, Randall lost her younger brother and her mother. "Nobody really talks about that side of living abroad. People see the sea, the sunshine and the photographs, but they do not see what it feels like when major family events happen hundreds of miles away," she said. Additionally, her severe lactose intolerance led to a dairy contamination incident that required an ambulance and hospitalisation, where she struggled to understand medical conversations in Croatian.
Building a New Life and Business
Despite these hardships, Randall gradually adapted. She made friends, many of them fellow expats, and started a boat tour company called Island Discovery. Her skipper, Pasko, was someone she met on a boat trip shortly after arriving. "We stayed in touch, and when I launched Island Discovery, he was the first person I asked to join me," she said. She now lives in Podstrana near Split and runs tours along the Croatian coastline.
"There is something magical about the Adriatic. The colour of the water still amazes me, and some mornings when I am walking my Jack Russell, Sid, along the coastline, I spot dolphins in the distance. Those moments never get old," she said.
Reflections on Change and Personal Growth
Randall acknowledges that Croatia has changed significantly since joining the EU and adopting the euro, with rising rents and construction. However, she feels the country transformed her. "When I moved here, I thought I knew exactly who I was. What I did not expect was to spend my fifties learning about websites, social media, marketing, accounting, boating and how to build a business from scratch," she explained. "I realised I was tougher than I thought. Looking back, I do not think Croatia simply changed where I live. I think it changed who I am."
Her advice to her past self: "Buckle up, it will be one hell of a ride."
