Hola! 

My name is Javier Quintana, and I come from a city in the northeast of Spain called Zaragoza. I study at one of the universities with, in my opinion, the most beautiful views in Spain, the Higher Polytechnic School of Huesca, located at the foot of the Pyrenees. There, I’m pursuing a degree in Agri-food and Rural Engineering. I decided to spend my third Erasmus year in Osijek because a friend of mine had come here a few years ago, and everything he told me about this city matched what I was looking for. Plus, Croatia, and the Balkans in general, was an unknown region to me, so it felt like a great opportunity to explore it. Osijek has lived up to my expectations. I’ve felt welcomed, the people have been very kind, and settling in was easy. At times maybe a bit too quiet, but it’s refreshing to be in a peaceful city, without rush and without traffic, yet still full of life in its streets and cultural offerings. 

It’s an ideal place for sports, cycling, or simply enjoying nature, which is very present in the city and its surroundings. Some of my favorite spots include the riverside walk along the Drava, Biljsko Lake, the Kopački Rit Nature Park and the street markets. I also love watching sunsets from Tvrđa walls or from Željeznički bridge. I've also had the chance to travel around Croatia, and some of my favorite places have been Plitvice Lakes National Park, the Sea Organ in Zadar, the houses of Rastoke, the views from Krk, and the fortress of Dubrovnik. Since this was my first time living outside my country, it really helped me immerse myself in and discover another culture, something that’s much harder to do when just traveling. It made me realize that, in the end, we’re all more alike than we think, and it’s the same things that move us and make us happy. No matter how hard some may try to divide us and emphasize our differences, it’s important to stay open, treat everyone with the respect they deserve, and understand how powerful it is to make someone feel welcome far from home, it’s in our hands. I leave this year with countless friendships and experiences. It’s been an unforgettable, transformative year and I’m sure that Osijek and bureks will always have a place in my heart.