How learning Croatian helped a Munich nurse at work

Finding her way into a new language through family

Lara’s Croatian learning journey began in the most natural way possible – through love. When she met her boyfriend two years ago, a Croatian born and raised in Munich, she quickly realised how important the language was to his family. “At home they speak a lot of Croatian,” she explains. “And of course they have relatives from Bosnia, but they’re Croats. I always try to understand as much as possible and be able to join in the conversation. I find that very important.”

Her boyfriend was delighted when she decided to learn, and his mother has become one of her most enthusiastic conversation partners. The family frequently travels to Bosnia for weddings and family visits, and Lara has embraced these cultural experiences wholeheartedly. From the bridal procession tradition she’d never seen before to the abundance of food, drink, and Balkan music, she’s found the celebrations beautiful and welcoming. Last year, they even attended a Thompson concert together, and this summer they’re planning a September trip to Brač, with stops in Dubrovnik, Split, and Poreč along the way.

Navigating the complexities of Croatian grammar

From the beginning, Lara found Croatian both beautiful and challenging. The cases and endings presented a steep learning curve, but she’s made steady progress. “I understand more than I can speak,” she admits, which is a common pattern for language learners in the early stages. The accusative case proved particularly tricky, and whilst she wouldn’t call herself a master yet, she’s noticed real improvement through consistent practice.

Before joining Let’s Learn Croatian, Lara had tried learning vocabulary on her own, but the structured course made a significant difference. The weekly hour-and-a-half sessions provide not just grammar explanations but also the opportunity to ask questions immediately. The small tests at the end of each lesson help her see both what she’s mastered and where she needs more work. Most importantly, learning in a group makes the whole experience more enjoyable and sustainable – especially valuable for someone working demanding night shifts who then heads straight to Pilates in the morning.

From peripheral observer to active participant

The breakthrough moment for Lara wasn’t dramatic, but it was meaningful. She began to participate in conversations rather than simply sitting on the sidelines. Understanding what people were saying around her, being able to respond, even in simple sentences – these small victories transformed her experience at family gatherings. “You don’t have the feeling of somehow sitting on the edge and just being there to look pretty,” she says.

Her boyfriend tries to speak more Croatian with her when she asks, though she wishes they did it more often. She’s convinced that speaking is crucial to progress – that reading and learning vocabulary alone aren’t enough. “You have to do something concrete, not just learn grammar or vocabulary, but actually speak,” she insists. It’s a philosophy that’s served her well, pushing her past the initial awkwardness that stops many learners from practising aloud.

An unexpected advantage at work

What Lara hadn’t anticipated was how Croatian would become useful in her professional life. Working as a nurse in a sleep laboratory, where she cables patients in the evening and monitors them throughout the night, she encounters many Croatian patients. Some speak no German or English at all, which used to create barriers to care. Now, even with her intermediate level, she can communicate basic information and provide reassurance in their own language.

The impact on patient comfort has been noticeable. When someone is in an unfamiliar medical environment, already anxious about sleeping whilst connected to monitoring equipment, hearing a few words in their native language can be enormously calming. Lara has only been working in the sleep laboratory since last November – she previously worked in psychiatry – but she’s already seen how language bridges the gap between clinical care and human connection. It’s a reminder that learning a language for personal reasons can open professional doors you never expected.

Advice from someone still learning

When asked what guidance she’d offer to someone just starting out with Croatian, Lara’s advice is refreshingly honest and encouraging. “Definitely be patient, stick with it, try to learn lots of new things, revise, and just not be too hard on yourself,” she says. Above all, she emphasises the importance of daring to speak, even when you’re uncertain.

Having someone to practise with makes an enormous difference, as does having a teacher who can explain the grammatical concepts that inevitably cause confusion. Lara continues to balance her nursing career, her Pilates routine, her love of cooking – including Croatian dishes like farma – and her Croatian studies. At 26, working night shifts and building a life with her partner, she’s proof that language learning doesn’t require perfect conditions or endless free time. It requires curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to make mistakes. The rest follows with time.