Beata Kudelikova - Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone Made This the Best Summer of My Life
In this interview, Beata from Czech Republic shares her incredible journey with Samarcanda—from taking a leap of faith and moving to a new country to creating unforgettable summer memories. With laughter, fun, and a deep love for the job, Beata reminds us why stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the best moments of your life.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
– I’m Beata, but my friends call me Bea or Beuška. I come from the Czech Republic. I saw Samarcanda’s profile on Instagram, so I decided to try my luck and wrote to them.
What were your first thoughts when you arrived in Samarcanda?
– Since this wasn’t my first year in animation, to be honest, nothing really surprised me.
– The most memorable moment? I can’t pick just one because there were so many amazing moments! But my favorite part of the shift was always kids’ lunch. I don’t even know exactly why, but my colleagues, the hotel staff, and I always had so much fun.
If you could relive one day in Samarcanda, which would it be and why?
– Hmm, definitely my first day of work. I was so excited! Stjepi put me on kids’ lunch duty with Tija—she was so kind to me, and it made that day the best one.
How do you think this experience has shaped or changed you?
– This experience changed me a lot. First of all, I “moved” to a completely new place for three months—and I did it alone. That in itself teaches you so much. Sometimes it messes with you, and it gets hard. You end up crying to your mom on the phone, but if you push through those tough moments and difficult days, you come out as a completely new person. Take me as an example—I came to Croatia only knowing English. After two summers, just from listening to the language every day, I can now speak Croatian at a solid level. So yeah, you need to prepare for the worst and stay strong, but in the end, it’s so worth it.
What is one object, photo, or memory that perfectly captures your time in Samarcanda?
– Oh yeah, there’s one photo (my favorite one, by the way) that shows more than I could ever put into words.
What’s the funniest phrase or word you learned while in Samarcanda?
Stjepi gave us diplomas, and on mine, he wrote that I was the “Biceps of the Season.” To this day, I still have no idea what he meant by that, but it always makes me laugh because Stjepi is honestly such a funny person.
How do you plan to keep the spirit of Samarcanda alive in your life?
– The spirit of summer, friends, and this job is something that stays with you long after the season ends. It’s the laughter shared after a long shift, the sunsets watched together by the sea, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. It’s about creating unforgettable moments, pushing yourself beyond your limits, and forming friendships that feel like family.
If you have something to add, feel free to do it!
If you’re scared to go—don’t be! Look at me—I came from another country, without knowing the language, and I was one of only two foreigners in the whole team (actually, in the whole hotel). And yet, I can say this was the best summer of my life. I made so many friends from Croatia and Serbia, improved my English, learned more Croatian, and spent the entire summer by the sea.
