Italian Martina Finds a New Home in Zagreb

Love brought Italian Martina Cola to Croatia. She left Italy for her Croatian partner, Igor, and moved to Zagreb, but today she admits she would not be in a hurry to return to her homeland. 

A former member of the Italian military, Martina has found a new job, made friends and begun building a second home in Croatia. She loves the country's natural beauty, its people and way of life, and shares her everyday adventures with Igor on social media, using humor to show just how much Croatians and Italians have in common.

Born and raised in Tivoli, Italy, Martina's journey to Zagreb took her from military service and international missions to a completely new chapter in life. She has been living in the Croatian capital for less than three months.

Before making the move, she traveled from Italy to Croatia almost every weekend to spend time with Igor. Today, she works in the financial sector, takes Croatian lessons and is increasingly feeling at home.

A military mission in Bulgaria brought them together

Martina studied political science before earning a degree in international marketing in Rome. But she wanted more than an academic education, so she decided to challenge herself by joining the military.

"I wanted something more. I didn't just want a university degree; I needed an additional challenge. It wasn't easy because it was a male-dominated environment, but I wanted to prove myself," she recalls.

She says her military experience taught her perseverance and gave her the confidence to make major life decisions.

It was also during a military mission in Bulgaria that she met Igor, a Croatian who would eventually change the course of her life.

"I met Igor while I was on a mission in Bulgaria. It just happened. I wasn't looking for anyone, but I had to make a decision. I chose Croatia because I couldn't let him go," Martina admits.

Zagreb is becoming her second home

Although she has been living in Croatia for only a few months, Martina is already enthusiastic about her new surroundings.

"Zagreb is truly becoming my second home. To be honest, I don't miss Italy that much. I wouldn't easily move back because Zagreb is a city made for people," she says.

She has been particularly impressed by the warmth and helpfulness of Croatians, even when language barriers make communication difficult.

"I've noticed that Croatians can be a little reserved at first, but once you get to know them, they're very warm. In that respect, we're similar to Italians," she says.

There is, however, one thing she could do without.

"I don't like the traffic jams. They're almost worse than in Rome," she admits with a laugh.

What she misses most is her family, especially her grandmother and the Sunday family gatherings she grew up with in Italy.

Croatians and Italians have one thing in common

Martina and Igor have turned their everyday life together into entertaining social media content.

She launched the profile "Becoming Croatian" (Postati Hrvat), where she shares the differences and similarities between Croatian and Italian culture and everyday life.

Igor is often the star of her videos, while their playful disagreements and amusing discussions have attracted the attention of followers.

"At home, it's just like it is on our profile. We're constantly arguing about something. One thing Croatians and Italians have in common is that we're all very stubborn, especially when it comes to food," Martina says.

Alongside creating content, she takes private Croatian lessons and uses interactions with her followers to learn more about the country she has chosen to call home.

Croatia has surprised her with its beauty and diversity

Martina knew Croatia was famous for its beautiful coastline and natural scenery, but what she has discovered so far has exceeded her expectations.

She has already visited Korčula, Dubrovnik, Rab, Novi Vinodolski and Slavonia, and her list of places to explore keeps growing.

"I knew Croatia was beautiful, but I didn't expect it to be this beautiful. It's not a big country, but it has so much diversity. Wherever you go, you discover a new tradition and a different way of life," she says enthusiastically.

Social media has also become a useful source of travel inspiration, with followers regularly suggesting new destinations for her to visit.

"I want to get to know the country I live in, its culture and its people. That makes me happy, and I hope I'll have the opportunity to travel even more around Croatia," she says.

She also wants to give something back to Croatian society

Martina has also joined the International Women's Club in Zagreb, where she has met new people and discovered a range of activities and opportunities to get involved in the local community.

She is particularly interested in humanitarian initiatives and hopes to contribute actively.

"I also want to give something back to Croatian society. The club organizes many humanitarian activities, and I really enjoy taking part in them," she emphasizes.

Martina shared her story in the "Foreigners in Croatia" (Stranci u Hrvatskoj) segment of the Croatian morning show "Dobro jutro, Hrvatska," discussing love, adapting to a new environment and life between two cultures.

Love brought her to Croatia, but its people, natural beauty and way of life have given her even more reasons to stay. And judging by her words, Zagreb is no longer simply the city she moved to for love – it is becoming a place she truly calls home.