Croatian/American

Sports

In this episode, Gaj and Cody tackle the cultural divide in sports between Croatia and the USA. Why are American sports teams tied to schools, while Croatians find their pride in club teams? They unpack America’s obsession with football, basketball, and baseball, while Europe (and especially Croatia) bleeds for soccer—or football, as they’d insist. Gaj tries to understand the phenomenon of college football, with its massive stadiums and community spirit, while Cody navigates Croatia’s ultras culture, from the fiery loyalty of Hajduk Split fans to the infamous hooliganism of Bad Blue Boys. They dive into the pride Croatians feel for their national team and why sports in the U.S. often seem more about the spectacle than the game itself. And of course, they tackle the big question: Why do Americans call it soccer? Prepare for laughs, insights, and the ultimate sports culture showdown.

Universities

In this episode, Gaj and Cody compare the academic landscapes of Croatia and the U.S., uncovering stark differences and curious parallels. They explore the American campus experience, with dorm life and sprawling universities, versus Croatia's less centralized system. They discuss how U.S. higher education offers everything from community colleges to Ivy League institutions, while Croatia keeps things simple (and tuition-free).

School

Why do Croatian kids change into slippers at school? And what’s up with police officers in American schools? In this episode of Croatian/American, Gaj and Cody trade stories about their school days and highlight the surprising contrasts between the two systems. They cover everything from start dates (Croatia in September, the U.S. in mid-August) to Croatia’s oral exams and benches versus the U.S.'s individual desks and suspensions. Cody’s confused about Croatia’s weekly schedule changes, while Gaj can’t wrap his head around American kindergarten being a grade. They also dig into funding differences, swimming lessons in Croatia, and the question: what makes a good teacher?

Units of measurement

Why does America insist on measuring things in feet, pounds, and gallons while the rest of the world uses meters, kilos, and liters? In this episode of Croatian/American, Gaj and Cody weigh the differences—literally—and explore the quirks of the imperial and metric systems. From historical roots to political resistance (did Reagan really abolish a metric council?), they unpack why Americans cling to these units. Cody defends cups in recipes and gallons of gas, while Gaj laments confusing conversions and shares a Croatian perspective. They cover Fahrenheit's oddities, metric mishaps like the Mars Orbiter crash, and Fox News’ wild take on the metric system. With laughs and fun facts, they ask: should Croats bother learning the imperial system, or just let Americans keep their inches?

Transportation

In this episode of Croatian/American, Gaj and Cody explore the transport divide between Croatia and the U.S. While America is built for cars—with drive-thrus, endless highways, and even flights across states—Croatia is designed for walking, with neighborhoods where shops and cafes are steps away. Cody recalls Tulsa’s vanished tram system, while Gaj describes Croatia’s outdated trains and new push for suburban rail. They discuss why buses, trams, and ride-hailing apps like Uber have surged in Croatia, the rise of electric scooters in Europe, and how American car culture reflects a love for freedom and mobility.