Moving to Croatia was “the best decision”, says returnee from Canada

Carol Anne Škovarga, who works for a platform providing information on residence, citizenship, and life in Croatia, often meets members of the diaspora who are considering a return but are unsure where to begin.

“In Canada, we live to work, while in Croatia, people work to live,” Škovarga said during a guest appearance on the TV show Dobro jutro, Hrvatska on HRT, describing the key difference that led her and her family to permanently relocate to her ancestral homeland.

Born and raised in Canada to a Croatian family with strong ties to its roots, Škovarga grew up in the Greater Toronto Area, home to a large Croatian community. Her childhood was shaped by folklore, church life, and close-knit social gatherings. Her grandparents had emigrated to Canada, where her parents later met.

She first visited Croatia as a child and later returned through folklore performances. Those visits left a lasting impression. She felt a strong connection to her family’s village, where they owned a house, and says she never felt like a visitor. “When I returned to Canada, I kept thinking about Croatia and how I could come back,” she recalls.

That ambition led her to enroll at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb. However, due to personal circumstances and limited prospects in the post-war period, she returned to Canada, where she completed her studies and started a family.

Although she and her husband had considered relocating earlier, life intervened. The birth of their children and subsequent health challenges delayed their plans. The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Škovarga notes that both Croatia and her own perspective had changed. She was particularly struck by a shift in attitudes. “Before, I felt people would say certain things couldn’t be done. Then suddenly it was, ‘Great idea—let’s try it.’ That’s when I realized the time might be right to move,” she said.

The decision followed quickly. In August 2022, the family chose to relocate. They sold their house in Canada within two months, and in early 2023, Škovarga moved to Croatia with their children. Her husband joined them a few months later.

Despite common concerns about bureaucracy, their experience was largely positive. “It’s possible. Sometimes a document might be missing, but everything gets resolved,” she said. Today, through her work as an adviser, she helps others navigate the process of moving to Croatia.

In her role, she frequently speaks with members of the diaspora who are contemplating a return but feel uncertain about the first steps. She highlights family life and work-life balance as key advantages of living in Croatia.

“Coffee with friends, time with family, the sea—these are the things that matter here. I want my children to grow up in that kind of environment,” she said.

She also believes Croatia offers strong educational opportunities for young people. “I see my children receiving a very good education. I want them to stay here and be part of a generation that will build something positive.”

Today, Škovarga lives with her family in a village near Jastrebarsko.