From Croatia to Germany, from optician to web developer - What’s next, miss?

I didn't plan to become a web designer and developer. When I was 18 years old, I started traveling around with my godmother, mainly doing weekend trips around the European capitals. After three years of traveling together, in 2016, I went on my first solo trip to Malta.

I wanted to share my experience in a written form. That’s how I started my first website using paid WordPress hosting. As a student, I didn’t have a big budget, and WordPress hosting seemed pricey.

In 2018, I upgraded my skills with a program for Web Design and PHP Programming. I learned how to create a website from scratch and design it using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Quickly, I started working with my first clients. Since then, I've opened my agency for web design and develpment – Victina.

I know what I don’t want, but what do I want?

Before choosing my vocation, I knew what I didn’t want to do. I hated needles, so I didn’t want to be a nurse. I didn’t want to be an economist because there were too many unemployed economists at the time in Croatia. Gymnasium was too broad, and I wanted something I can actually do straight after high school if I wanted.

I’ve hoped to get into pharmaceutical high school, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Only students with straight A’s could get in. I was panicking until my dad mention the optics high school. At the time, I didn’t even know what optics was. However, it sounded way better than other options.

I guess optics wasn’t it for me

Logical path was to pursue university for the optometrist. I did the logical first. After realising optometrist in Croatia are extremely underpaid and that my degree doesn’t apply in other countries, I’ve decided to do a full 360. Before totally quitting, I went on Erasmus optics internship to Malta. That’s how I got into web design. I’ve started to share my travels via blog.

Then, I wanted to give one last shot to my optometrist degree. I’ve signed up for a university course in Spain, but it turned out they couldn’t offer the course in English which was a real bummer. I got the sign that I wasn’t meant to be an optometrist and moved on for real. Still, I stayed and used my time in Spain. I’ve volunteered in the office for the Camino de Santiago and taught English.

Getting back to Croatia and getting out of Croatia

After getting back in Croatia, I had to figure out what to do next. I’ve gained more in-depth knowledge on web programming which led me to my first clients. Plus, I’ve worked as a tourist guide until the coronavirus. Towards the end of 2020 I moved to Germany, where I live today and work as a web developer both in my agency and part time for one company.

Are you a web developer?

When I started the course for the web development, majority of the participants were guys. All the mentors were males, too. They were in a disbelief that women are taking the web development course. Later on, while working as a web developer, I also had question if I’m the web developer, can I do it myself or am I just a middleman.

Unfortunately, it seems like it’s still unusual to be a female web developer. However, I feel that if more women started to work in so-called male jobs, it would become normal for women to be web developers or do anything else considered as a male job. I guess we are the generations of women changing the old ways. We just need to get through the bad, the ugly to get to the good.

Where to, Miss?

Germany is probably not my dream country. Moving to Germany was hard. I even planned to come back to Croatia. As all good stories start, I’ve met someone who changed my mind.

I think Malta is the closest to my heart. I’ve cried as a baby when it was time to leave. It’s the opposite from Germany. While in Germany focus is on hard work, Malta is more laid back. I miss their sun, beaches, and a way of life.

While travelling around the Germany, I’ve realised how I’ve changed. I’m not drawn to big cities anymore. I like hidden gems, places that nobody knows about and are harder to reach but are way more magical.

I think if I get the chance, I would love to move back to Malta or maybe to some Swiss village in Alpes. However, wherever I go, I think I would get used to it.

If you ever decide to move…

The most important thing is to choose your location wisely. Weather conditions play a bigger role than you think. It was way easier for me to adapt to Malta than it was to Spain or Germany. I can’t totally explain it, but Malta felt like home.

Also, it easier to move around when you’re younger (and single). When I was younger, I didn’t think much, and I would just dive in. Now, I think more about my next move. I was much braver when I was younger. For example, 15 days before going to Spain I didn’t have a plane ticket or accommodation, but I still got there.

Most importantly, when you go to a new place, give it a chance. Travel around the country, get out of your apartment, meet people, explore the place you’ve moved to. Because who knows, you might meet someone who’ll change your mind.