"Forced Out" - A story of Surviving Conflict

"Forced Out" - A story of Surviving Conflict

Author: David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE October 29, 2023 Duration: 1:24:11

In this episode I explore the emotional journey of Ivana Štrbac-Alfonso, who was forced to leave her home in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the conflict in the 1990s.

Ivana, who was only five to six years old at the time, lived in a village outside Zenica, a moderately large town in middle Bosnia.

The episode delves into the pain and struggle of leaving one’s country amidst conflict and seeking safety elsewhere.

Ivana eventually found a new home on Australia’s Gold Coast. The episode sheds light on her experiences as a refugee and her efforts to rebuild her life in a new country.

Ivana shares her passion for giving back to there community and how her experiences have shaped her into the person she is today.

This episode promises an insightful and emotional exploration of Ivana’s journey from being a young refugee to becoming a successful community builder in Australia.

You can find out more about, Ivana at:

https://anenglishmaninthebalkanspodcast.com/balkansis

Please also do share this episode and maybe leave a 5 start review on the podcast platform you listened to this on.

Stay tuned for more exciting stories and adventures from the Englishman in the Balkans podcast!

Thank you for being a part of our podcasting community, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting content in the future.

You can support my work, by maybe leaving a Tip or by becoming a member of our podcast family at: https://anenglishmaninthebalkanspodcast.com/support

Get full access to 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 An Englishman in the Balkans Blog 🇧🇦 at https://www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com/



To hear more, visit www.anenglishmaninthebalkans.com

David Pejčinović-Bailey MBE hosts An Englishman in the Balkans, a series that moves beyond travelogue clichés to offer a grounded, personal account of building a life in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This isn't a tour guide; it's a collection of audio journals from someone who has chosen to make his home there. Listeners hear candid reflections on the nuances of daily life, from navigating bureaucracy and language to finding unexpected comfort in local traditions. The podcast often features conversations with the fascinating individuals David encounters-artists, neighbors, historians, and everyday people-whose stories add rich layers to the understanding of a region frequently defined by its past conflicts. Episodes might delve into the complex tapestry of Balkan history over a coffee, or explore the simple joy of a shared meal, all framed through the perspective of an immigrant learning to see a place not as a visitor, but as a resident. The result is a thoughtful, sometimes humorous, and always humanizing portrait of a country and its culture, recorded from the inside. For anyone curious about the realities of displacement, belonging, or the specific textures of life in Southeast Europe, this podcast provides an authentic and engaging listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

An Englishman in the Balkans.
Podcast Episodes
My Two Worlds: The UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:59
Hello, this episode is a bit different from normal, because I’m replaying a podcast episode thats not mine. Let me explain. Back in may I was a guest on a fantastic podcast hosted by Slavenka Vuković- Bryan called Two Wo…
The Power of Audio Storytelling in the Balkans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:31
Painting Pictures with Words and Sound.In this episode I want to share an intriguing conversation I had with Alexandra Bučko, a passionate podcasting enthusiast in the Western Balkans. In this interview, we delve into th…
Buying a Holiday Home in Montenegro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:05
In this episode, join me as I explore the captivating journey of Helen Reynolds Brown, a British expat living in Belgium, who found her dream holiday home in the picturesque coastal region of Montenegro, near the ancient…
Zimnica 2023 - Winter Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:08
Welcome, to a replay edition of the podcast, where we're taking a trip down memory lane to 3 years ago, when Tamara and I sat down to discuss a cherished tradition here in Bosnia and Herzegovina.Zimnica (or winter food).…
Is There Such a thing as Independent Media in the Western Balkans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:45
In this episode of we're delving into a topic that holds immense significance in the region: independent media in the Balkans. Joining me to discuss this is seasoned journalist, media analyst, and Balkans expert, Bojan S…
Settling Back in the Village [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:38
In this episode I give you a brief update about our return from our holiday in Montenegro.I post a weekly newsletter update on my substack and thought that maybe you might like to hear it as a podcast.Let me know what yo…
Living in Croatia with Mark Whitfield - Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:26
Welcome to this final episode of our mini series about life in Croatia through the eyes of another Englishman, Mark Whitfield.This is the third instalment of a three-part series, where I’ll be finding out about . how dif…