Petra Gojung (left) and Iva Jozic have both lived in Cayman for the past two years.  Photo by Steven Knipp

In part 16 of a series on the many nationalities that have made the Cayman Islands a true international melting pot, Steven Knipp takes a look at the Croatian community in Cayman.

Whether they know it or not, most people know something about Croatia, the rugged southern central European nation once a part of Yugoslavia.

Any adult who’s ever strolled passed a fire station will have noticed the handsome (and ever alert) black-and-white spotted firehouse dog. More correctly known as Dalmatians, this unique canine breed originally came from the scenic Dalmatian coast of Croatia.

And, any male reader who wears a necktie to work can thank the Croatians, as this now-universal fashion item was invented by a Croatian tailor.

Today the modern nation of Croatia has a population of more than 4.5 million. Both farming and industry are major employers, but the scenic country also welcomes more than 10 million tourists a year, most of whom visit the spectacularly beautiful 15th century city of Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

According to Cayman Government statistics, there are a dozen Croatians living in Cayman.

Iva Jozic, 26, from Dubrovnik, first arrived in Cayman in November 2006. She came here to take up a job at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort as a social sales manager. She had previously been working for Marriott in Vail, Colorado.

“The first two weeks after I arrived, the weather was horrible,” she says with a laugh. “It was rainy for the next two weeks. [But once the weather cleared] I was really excited to experience the Caribbean – the sea, and the beach and the reggae.

“I had been travelling over the last five years, so it was not hard to adjust to the new culture, especially the easy living of the Caribbean. I had spent a few months in Germany during my university, studying German. And after I graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology, I moved to Vail, Colorado and worked for the Marriott over there.”

Although her family is back in Croatia, she brought her mom to the Island in January and hopes to bring her back again next year.

When not working, Iva says, “I love the sunshine here and the beach. Recently, I started diving and I love it.”

Asked what she likes most about Cayman, she says, “I have met fantastic people here, and started some beautiful friendships.”

Aside from her mother and her family, she says the thing that she misses most from Croatia is “the homemade olive oil - it is the best olive oil in the world”.

Petra Gojung, 25, hails from the southern Dalmatian coast, a small town called Drvenik, half way between Split and Dubrovnik; she also arrived in Cayman in November 2006, and currently works with the Marriott’s accounting/finance team.

“Several months before my arrival,” she recalls, “Iva found out about an opportunity at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, and within minutes we decided we wanted to go. I had just gotten out of college and so was looking for a new adventure.”

Her first impression of the Island was that it “looked tiny. Also, I arrived right in time for two full weeks of rainy, stormy weather. So the first impression wasn’t as charming as the rest of my stay has been.

“Living on the sea coast is similar in most places,” she says. “And both Iva and I had lived in Vail, Colorado which is a famous resort as well, so, I can say that the adjustment wasn’t a big problem for me.

“Of course, there will always be differences - such as culture and food, of course. But one of the great assets that this island has is the great diversity here, in terms of different cultures and nationalities. I love my experiences here, I’ve met a lot of great people in Cayman.”

Speaking about her family, Petra says, “My parents have their own business in Croatia, so they are tied to the area more than I am. I have three siblings: Gorana, 22, is in college; Stipe is 19 and getting ready for college; and Petar, 8, is still enjoying elementary school.”

Her after-work hours are reserved for “relaxing with my friends, weekends for little road trips around the island, and quality beach time. I’m also working on getting my diving certification, and hopefully soon I’ll be able to dedicate time to exploring some of Cayman’s famous coral reefs.”

She adds: “I have been living away from home for almost four years now, so what I really do miss is my family and friends. And I also sometimes miss having four different seasons.”

When asked for something that few people might not know about Croatia, both Petra and Iva say: “There are more than 1,000 islands along our coasts.”

And Petra adds: “It’s a beautiful country, with an incredible blend of cultures that emerged during different time periods. It has a very impressive history, and lovely, warm, beautiful people.”