±A - Subscribe to Our Newsletter
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
and download a Our monthly newsletter contains health and financial news, expat articles, social media recommendations and more.
We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe easily at any time. Read our full privacy policy here.
±A - Join Our Community
JOIN OUR FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
Learn from the experiences of other expats and make new friends in our disccussion forums and Facebook groups±A - Read Our Guide
READ OUR GUIDE TO MOVING ABROAD
The Expat Focus Guide to Moving Abroad contains everything you need to know when planning an international relocation available now, completely free±A - Compare Quotes and Save

COMPARE QUOTES AND SAVE MONEY
Find the best health insurance provider or foreign currency transfer specialist by comparing free quotes±A - Listen to the Podcast

LISTEN TO THE EXPAT FOCUS PODCAST
The Expat Focus podcast features interviews with expats living abroad and service providers meeting their needs subscribe today!±A - Expert Financial
EXPERT FINANCIAL ADVICE & SERVICES
From our tax, investment and FX partners±A - ExpatFocus Partners
Expat Focus Partners
Become a Partner. Click Here.
Back to top
Skip to content
Skip to menu
Slovakia > Expat Experiences
Back to top
Back to main
Back to content
Expat Experiences
Back to top Back to main Skip to menu
Naomi Huzovicova, Near Bratislava
Saturday October 03, 2015 (13:39:26)
Who are you?
My name is Naomi, I'm from a small mountain village in British Columbia, Canada. I've lived in Slovakia for 10 years with my husband and (now) four children.
Where, when and why did you move abroad?
My husband and I met going to college in the USA. I finished my last semester of college in Austria on a study abroad program and then came to Slovakia in 2004.
We were engaged at the time and he wanted me to experience Slovakia before we got married, to have a better understanding of where he was coming from.
What challenges did you face during the move?
I think one of the hardest things was loneliness. My then-fiance was working in Austria and I was alone in Bratislava, teaching English. When teaching I would go out to businesses so it's not like I had a place of work where everyone convened. The owner of the company did a good job of trying to create a community for the teachers, but I was often gone on the weekends and so didn't really get to know many people.
Are there many other expats in your area?
There are quite a few in Bratislava, but now that I live in a small town an hour away, there are only a few.
What do you like about life where you are?
As a parent, I appreciate that there is still some freedom for kids - people aren't expecting a predator around every corner (or in a friend, for that matter). A friend was visiting from DC and was floored that so many kids were playing outside unsupervised, though we are in a small town.
What do you dislike about your expat life?
It's really hard to get to know people. Slovaks, at least in the West where I live, are quite reserved although they will do anything for you once you get to know them.
What is the biggest cultural difference you have experienced between your new country and life back home?
Coming from Canada and an international family (my father is Japanese), I found the lack of international foods hard to get used to.
What advice would you give to anyone following in your footsteps?
Don't be afraid to approach a stranger and introduce yourself, even if you feel like an idiot, because nobody will approach you. I'm terrible at following my own advice, by the way.
Also, keep an open mind that sometimes things are done differently or thought about differently, and that's ok.
What are your plans for the future?
The future is an open door
You can keep up to date with Naomi's adventures on her blog, Almost Bananas.
My name is Naomi, I'm from a small mountain village in British Columbia, Canada. I've lived in Slovakia for 10 years with my husband and (now) four children.
Where, when and why did you move abroad?
My husband and I met going to college in the USA. I finished my last semester of college in Austria on a study abroad program and then came to Slovakia in 2004.
We were engaged at the time and he wanted me to experience Slovakia before we got married, to have a better understanding of where he was coming from.
What challenges did you face during the move?
I think one of the hardest things was loneliness. My then-fiance was working in Austria and I was alone in Bratislava, teaching English. When teaching I would go out to businesses so it's not like I had a place of work where everyone convened. The owner of the company did a good job of trying to create a community for the teachers, but I was often gone on the weekends and so didn't really get to know many people.
Are there many other expats in your area?
There are quite a few in Bratislava, but now that I live in a small town an hour away, there are only a few.
What do you like about life where you are?
As a parent, I appreciate that there is still some freedom for kids - people aren't expecting a predator around every corner (or in a friend, for that matter). A friend was visiting from DC and was floored that so many kids were playing outside unsupervised, though we are in a small town.
What do you dislike about your expat life?
It's really hard to get to know people. Slovaks, at least in the West where I live, are quite reserved although they will do anything for you once you get to know them.
What is the biggest cultural difference you have experienced between your new country and life back home?
Coming from Canada and an international family (my father is Japanese), I found the lack of international foods hard to get used to.
What advice would you give to anyone following in your footsteps?
Don't be afraid to approach a stranger and introduce yourself, even if you feel like an idiot, because nobody will approach you. I'm terrible at following my own advice, by the way.
Also, keep an open mind that sometimes things are done differently or thought about differently, and that's ok.
What are your plans for the future?
The future is an open door

You can keep up to date with Naomi's adventures on her blog, Almost Bananas.
Expat Health Insurance Partners
Bupa Global![]() |
![]() |
Cigna International![]() |
![]() |