Can you please introduce yourself and tell us your story?
Hi, I’m Hailey! I am a 22 year old veterinary student studying here in Kosice, Slovakia. I was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada and I did 4 years of my Bachelors of Science in Prince Edward Island, Canada. I have always wanted to be a vet, but it was just recently that I decided to widen my horizons and apply to european vet schools! I have also always been into art, and have been a professional artist for a few years now.
Why didn’t your boyfriend actually move to Canada to you?
My boyfriend (Milorad) and I met at our university when he did his Bachelors of Business Administration in Canada, he is a Slovenian international student, and he was on the Men’s University Basketball team. We have been together for almost 3 years now. The reason he didn’t move to Canada with me is because he is a professional basketball player here in Europe and Canada doesn’t offer the same opportunities as the EU. So when he decided to move back home after graduation, I decided to apply to a Canadian vet school, and European Vet school, and got accepted to the University of Veterinary Medicine in Kosice. Slovak language is really difficult, even for me.
But you’re learning really fast, and you’re doing perfectly, how are your lessons going?
I have been taking a Slovak course (mandatory because of my courses in vet school) with the school, and I can honestly say that from not knowing “hello” 4 months ago, to knowing many words, phrases, and even the pronunciation of words I don’t know the meaning to… I think I will pass the class with flying colours. I have been hearing common phrases at the store, and playing around with tongue twisters on TikTok, and I have even been able to read some comments without translating them first! Slovak language genders their nouns, so I still have to remember those cases. I am also lucky that my Slovenian boyfriend found similar words between his language and Slovak, because when we first came here he helped me settle in and taught me a few words and their pronunciation. I’m sure you feel huge differences between Canada and Slovakia.
Would you be able to tell me what you like most at home and what in Slovakia?
There is a very materialistic answer to this question, and also a very spiritualistic answer to this question. From home I miss a lot of things of all different varieties. I obviously miss friends and family that have not only helped me be who I am today, but also those who have helped with my art business. To be materialistic, I would say I miss the shopping and products you can buy in the stores, because I just cannot find them here, such as certain foods I use to eat everyday, or art products I use to buy weekly. Here, I love how different it is.
When you come from Canada, visiting Europe is a one time thing for many people and they do it once, visit the country for one visit, and then go home… I get to be here, experience a new culture, learn a new language, visit surrounding countries SO EASILY, and also be only a few hours away from my boyfriend, instead of 1000 euros, and a 9 hour plane ride.
What about culture, new people, lifestyle? Are you okay with that?
The people have a different mindset than what I am used to, and sometimes I’m better off not knowing the language so I don’t hear how grumpy people can be, because I really try to be patient with everyone, like cashiers, people on crosswalks, anyone. I am okay with it! I just hope that my kindness and patience will rub off onto others, and they can have a little of the “Canadian Mentality” in them too!
You look like a really nice person, full of energy and life, but people in Slovakia are not like that at all. (except me haha) How they treat you?
I have noticed haha, I would like to think that’s just how it is like in Canada, you talk to everyone, you get to know strangers, you say “hi” to people as you pass them on the street, and here you don’t do that or they might look at you funny. I had a dilemma one day where a man’s dog had knocked over his drinks and I quickly grabbed the dog and pat him until the owner could clean up the drinks, but I was told by a student that I shouldn’t do that because here they might take it the wrong way- as me trying to control their dog.
I think since I can’t communicate yet with the locals, they might not understand that I am just a friendly and helpful person who means no harm. I get upset sometimes when i cannot communicate to them, and sometimes I get turned away because I don’t speak Slovak, but I am learning to be more independent that way.
What shocked you the most when you moved here?
The old things. I mean it, the architecture being the main thing. and not only Slovakia, even when I was in Bosnia, or Slovenia. The old buildings are so different to what you see in my area in Canada.
Is there anything you would 100% recommend that people start doing in Slovakia?
Walking on the right side of the sidewalk. If I walk on the right side of the sidewalk, and you walk on your right side of the sidewalk, and go single file if you are a group, and someone is coming towards you so that they don’t have to walk off the sidewalk, then I would appreciate it.
What do you miss the most here?
My animals from home (sorry mom and dad) I miss the presence of having my cat with me when I’m laying down and studying, and right now I’m not in the best apartment to foster or adopt a cat. or taking my big dog for a walk everyday.
Do you have a life motto that you follow?
“Happy when skies are grey”. I think you should try your best to see the positive when the world turns its back on you. If you can change it, then start doing something that will fix your problems (and in the nicest way… stop complaining unless you’re doing something to change it), if you can’t change the situation… then you have to live with it, because it is out of your control.
