About

My name is Frane (smilar to Frank) Kožemelj. I was born in 1988 in Split, Croatia. I finished my Master's degree in Electrical Engineering in September 2014. Currently I'm working as Engineering Project Manager in my hometown. I'm a big fan of the outdoor activities, caving, backcountry skiing, climbing, hiking, cave and mountain rescue etc.

 
My whole life I was living in Split. I traveled here and there but the key moment for reevaluating my position was something different. During the last three years of my studies I worked in Omiš, Croatia in a Zipline park. Most of our clients where from countries where English is the first language.

I don't know if the reason is that they where on a vacation or that we could communicate easily or that they came from a "rich" country or something else but those people where happy. Plain and simple, happy. That came as shock at first. After the initial confusion I realized I want to be surrounded with that kind of people. 

Initial plan was to save some money and try to apply for Australian working visa. That process required a lot of money and waiting time and in the end you're not certain that you'll get the visa. It was a hard decision to make in a time of Croatia's bad economy. 

Then in the April this year I stumbled upon information that rules for applications for IEC (International Experience Canada) have changed, from "fastest finger" style to a lottery style. I applied and 40 days after I received an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for WH (Working Holiday) visa.
 
Back to the present, I'm flying to Calgary, Alberta, CA on 30th of October in time of one of the biggest economy crisis in Alberta. No job waiting for me, no place to stay, no friends, never been to Canada, only one person I know in Calgary and some money in my pocket.

There is a big chance that my bubble will burst, but I would never forgive myself if I didn't try to seize this opportunity that came in a form of a Canadian Working Holiday visa. Because, here in a place I still call home, something is missing. People are living in the past minding other people's business, always complaining and not doing anything about it, there is no future in sight, economy has been in a bad shape for last 20 years and things are not moving in any other direction. Everybody is blaming the politicians for the state our country is in. Average voters are refusing to share at least some part of responsibility, because politicians are just a reflection of people they rule.

However this adventure turns out, one day I wanna look in the mirror and tell myself that I tried to make a change. Not so much for me but for my future children so they can be raised in a more healthier environment.

02.09.2016.

Ps. Cover piture is made by: http://alpineexposures.com/
He has a ton of beautiful pictures.