Embracing language and life on Brač

A global journey leads to Croatia

They first met in Germany’s Ruhr region, where they studied, worked, and eventually started a business together. That venture became their ticket to see the world. “We’ve visited almost every US state except Alaska and Hawaii—travelling is a big part of our story,” Nadja explains. After spending over a decade in the United States—first Boston, then Texas—they felt Europe calling them back.

“We’d holidayed in Croatia many times before,” Nadja recalls. “When we were deciding where to return to in Europe, we kept coming back to Croatia.” The decision to settle on the island of Brač wasn’t made lightly, though Ingo jokes: “If we’d known beforehand how difficult the language would be, maybe we would have chosen Portugal instead.”

From Germany to island life

The shift from American mainland to Croatian island living has required significant adjustment. Ferry schedules dictate mainland access, and sourcing specific items sometimes means a boat journey. But there’s a rhythm to island life they’re gradually embracing.

“It’s genuinely living where other people holiday,” says Ingo. “It’s beautiful, sometimes challenging, but very, very beautiful.” The couple has immersed themselves completely in local life – even becoming olive oil producers.

Embracing new cultures on the road

Their experiences across continents have shaped how they approach integration. In Japan, they observed meticulous attention to tradition. The United States taught them solution-focused optimism. “In Germany, when facing a problem, the attitude often revolves around why something is difficult or impossible,” Ingo explains. “In the States, there’s more focus on the solution and a positive outlook toward the future.”

This perspective helps them navigate Croatian culture with patience and humility. They approach each interaction as guests, eager to understand the nuances of local life. “You’re a guest wherever you are. In the end, it’s just chance where we’re born or where we live our lives,” Ingo reflects.

Navigating Croatian grammar

Despite Ingo’s experience with six or seven languages, including Japanese, Croatian presents unique challenges. “When learning Croatian, you’re starting from zero with most vocabulary,” Nadja explains. “There’s no way to connect words with things you already know. You have to create your own memory bridges.”

The grammar compounds the difficulty—seven cases, three genders, and countless dialects that can vary even between villages on the same island. Yet they persist because authentic connection matters more than flawless speech.

Their breakthrough came unexpectedly in a bakery. “We had our first complete dialogue with a Croatian—ordering bread, answering questions, understanding the price—entirely in Croatian,” Ingo recalls. “We walked out thinking: we did it! It can work!”

Life on Brač: daily joys and challenges

Between renovating their home and tending to their olive grove, they’re gradually establishing roots in the community. The process of discovering where to find things takes considerable time, but locals have been overwhelmingly supportive.

“We’ve had absolutely no negative experiences here in Croatia,” Ingo emphasizes. “The people are incredibly friendly and open. It’s truly pleasant to live here.”

Despite the occasional isolation of island life, they find time for cycling along coastal roads and hiking the island’s trails. The Mediterranean lifestyle suits them perfectly—grilling fresh fish with their own olive oil, enjoying local produce, and waking up to mountain and sea views.

“The weather is superb,” Nadja adds with a smile. “Being surrounded by nature, with views of both mountains and sea…it really doesn’t get any better than this.”