Marko J   

New tutor

People confuse me for a native speaker - let's get you to that level!

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

“Rasejanje”, which translates quite underwhelmingly to "scattering" in English, carries feelings of sadness and belonging. It describes people scattered far from their homeland, yet still connected by language, memories, traditions and identity. The word reminds me that distance can separate people physically, but it cannot completely erase the feeling of a shared identity. My interactions with members of the Serbian diaspora truly reinforced the weight "rasejanje" carries, both for us at home and those living far away.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

My favorite dish from my hometown is "sarma", a traditional dish that my grandma usually prepares for family gatherings and special occasions. It is made by wrapping a mixture of minced meat, rice, onions and spices in pickled cabbage leaves, then cooking the rolls slowly for several hours. The cabbage gives the dish a slightly sour taste, while the meat filling becomes soft, rich and full of flavor. I love "sarma" because its smell immediately reminds me of winter holidays, long family lunches and the comfort of being at home.

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

As my girlfriend is Turkish, I'm currently studying her native language in an effort to better connect with her family and friends. English proficiency there is still rather questionable...

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

Ugh, where do I begin? I'm truly a curious person who likes having surface-level knowledge of any topic that might come up. Speaking of my hobbies, I try to hit the gym 3-4 times a week, I take Turkish classes twice a week and these days I'm taking my baby steps in the world of cooking. Alongside that, I'm an avid fan of Partizan Belgrade so I'm always up to date with news surrounding the team. Watching a good movie or series is always on the table, with my favorites being "The Godfather" and "Game of Thrones". I'm curious to find out if I'll have something to say about your interests, so let's get to know each other soon!

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

There's an unfortunate trend in Serbia where people coming from small towns/villages prefer not to say that and instead claim to be from some of the big cities. That was never the case with me. I've always proudly introduced myself as being from Ražanj, a town with less than a thousand inhabitants, regardless of who was on the other side. Whether it was a student from Tokyo or NY, I'd tell them all about the muddy streets where I'd play football (soccer) with my childhood friends, using rocks in place of posts. To me, Ražanj is the epitome of Serbian hospitality and kindness, which is much better preserved in its genuine form compared to places like Belgrade, which never felt like home to me, is spite of living there for multiple years.