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Finding my way back to my roots
Cornelia’s story begins in Stuttgart, where she grew up as the daughter of a German father and a Croatian mother from Rijeka. This bicultural upbringing meant spending equal time in both countries, creating a natural bilingual foundation that would later shape her career path. From primary school onwards, she attended Croatian mother-tongue classes in Stuttgart during her free time, maintaining her connection to the language and culture even whilst living in Germany.
“I can combine both my life’s sides in my career”
After finishing high school, Cornelia made a significant decision that surprised even her parents – she chose to move to Rijeka to study German Studies and Philosophy. “Both my parents were quite positively surprised because they probably hadn’t expected it directly,” she reflects. Her father, despite being German, saw this as an opportunity for her to step out of her comfort zone and experience something new, whilst her Croatian family provided the support network that made the transition smoother.
The comfort of online flexibility
Working as an online Croatian teacher has opened Cornelia’s eyes to the genuine benefits that digital learning brings to both students and educators. One aspect that particularly stands out about Let’s Learn Croatian is the flexibility of online learning. Cornelia appreciates how this setup benefits both teachers and students, especially those balancing work commitments. Students frequently express their relief at not having to travel to physical classes after long working days, instead being able to connect from the comfort of their own homes or offices.
“Students tell me how relieved they are not having to rush somewhere after work”
For Cornelia, this flexibility proves invaluable as she splits her time between Rijeka and Stuttgart. The online format allows her to maintain her connection to both cities whilst building a career that bridges her two cultural identities. This practical benefit aligns perfectly with her philosophy of creating comfortable learning environments where students can focus on the language rather than logistical challenges.
Understanding the learner’s perspective
Having experienced the challenge of maintaining and developing her Croatian whilst living in Germany, Cornelia brings unique insight to her teaching. She can anticipate where confusion might arise for German speakers learning Croatian, often intervening preventively when she senses potential difficulties. This empathetic approach stems from her own journey of navigating between languages and cultures.
“I can still put myself quite well in the students’ shoes – what it’s like learning from a German starting point”
In group lessons, Cornelia employs a collaborative teaching style, encouraging more advanced students to help explain concepts to their classmates. She’s discovered that sometimes a fellow student can find the right words or approach when the teacher’s explanation doesn’t quite connect. This peer-to-peer learning creates a supportive classroom dynamic whilst keeping all students engaged, regardless of their progress level.
Adventures beyond the classroom
When she’s not teaching, Cornelia enjoys exploring Croatia’s diverse landscapes. Her favourite destination remains Opatija, just twenty minutes from Rijeka, which she describes as consistently lively and idyllic – a place where you feel like you’re on holiday even when coming from work. She often recommends this charming coastal town to her students seeking travel advice.
Cornelia’s adventurous side has recently emerged through her friendship with a former classmate from Stuttgart’s Croatian school, who now studies in Split. Together, they’ve discovered a shared love for adrenaline activities, starting with a zip-line experience in Omiš. This has sparked interest in future adventures like bungee jumping and rafting, showing her willingness to embrace new experiences in her adopted homeland.
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Connecting two worlds through teaching
The most rewarding aspect of teaching Croatian for Cornelia is the opportunity to unite her bicultural identity professionally. She finds particular joy in working with students who share similar backgrounds – those with one German and one Croatian parent, or who are navigating their own bilingual journeys. These connections remind her that she’s not alone in her experience of living between two cultures.
What keeps her motivated as a teacher is the continuous learning process. Whilst preparing lessons, she often rediscovers grammatical rules she knew intuitively but hadn’t consciously considered, learning alongside her students. When she’s not teaching or studying, Cornelia enjoys the simple pleasures of home life – back in Stuttgart, she shares her space with a cat named Poseidon, a name she chose years ago after seeing it in a television series, deciding that if she ever got a cat, that would be its name. Currently pursuing her studies in Rijeka whilst building her teaching career, Cornelia represents the modern reality of many bicultural individuals who create their own unique paths between worlds.
Teacher and student stories
Discover inspiring language journeys and see how others are learning and teaching Croatian.
Alexandra | Student
After years of understanding but not speaking Croatian, Alexandra is finally turning childhood church memories into daily conversations.
Maja | Teacher & school manager
Maja blends stagecraft with teaching to craft immersive Croatian lessons where drama sparks deep and lasting language learning.
Milena | Student
After years of moving between countries, Milena discovered learning Croatian meant more than mastering grammar – it was about family healing.