Experiences of Slovenia 2

This is another article written by a student participant of 'Embracing Everyone'. This student is from Romania and writes about his visit to Velenje in Slovenia. 

MY TRAVEL DIARY

I had the opportunity to participate in the Embracing the Erasmus+ program. For the beginning I have to say only one word “WOW”.

I arrived to Velenje on Sunday evening and I met my host family, a kind and welcoming family. They were nice and polite and I felt like I was at home.

On the first day I was pleased to represent my Country, Romania, to the representatives of the other countries (Italy, England, Slovenia and Turkey). I spoke proudly and I have had a lot of emotions. Then we went to the welcome party where we learnt how to survive in the forest. There I  met friendly and sociable people and I was excited about the new adventure in Slovenia. What continued was fantastic. We learnt English in a host school’s classroom  by playing games and learning about each country . 

We visited the Velenje castle and the Velenje Coal Mine. There was wonderful. We have learnt how to dance a Slovenian Folk Dance.

The last day was the most emotional one because we loved that place and we were used waking up in a sunny day meeting new people and talking a lot. In the last day we visited Ljubljana, the capital city and the Postojna Cave, the biggest in Europe. It was perfect…

The most beautiful experience in my life was ending there.  I met new people and I will not forget this week. I hope I will arrive in Slovenia again soon. Erasmus changes your LIFE.

by Mihai RÎPEANU

Experiences of the Slovenia Visit

This piece is written by one of the Italian students who made the visit toe Velenje as part of the 'Embracing Everyone' project. 

A WEEK IN VELENJE

This year I was one of the student chosen to live the experience of Erasmus: our destination was Slovenia.

The trip was long and hard, with unexpected events too, but, when we passed the border between Italy and Slovenia, we were happy because shortly we would see again our foreign friend: my friend was Nela. I knew Nela because I hosted her when she came in Italy with her school and I was very excited to stay with her again.

The day after we met all the other delegations from the participating countries. We visited the school of Velenje and each class had prepared a song or an activity to show us. In the afternoon we were free to go to shopping. The day was not over yet: there was the “Welcome party”. We had a lot of fun since we simulated camping: we even roasted the dough on the fire!

On Tuesday we danced typical dances that were fun but even tiring. We went to dance on a staircase on the river Paka and we also participated to a “dance competition”.

Subsequently we went to visit the coal mine: we wore miners’ clothes to live the real life of miners. It was certainly an experience to remember!

The day after we visited a museum and furthermore we participated, together with the other delegations, to a beautiful and funny show in which each participating country presented his performance.

On Thursday our hosts showed us some art drawings and they let us contribute to their new cooperative of ECOLAN, by painting some shoes.

Furthermore, we were divided into groups to perform various activities: cooking typical cakes and crepes, planting little plants in the painted shoes, packaging cherries. 

On Friday we visited the largest caves in Europe and the Predjama Castle. Then we went to visit Ljubljana, the quietest and greenest city in Slovenia.

During this week I walked a lot, I visited a lot of new places, I knew a lot of girls and boys from different European countries. I also appreciated the quiet of the place, the organization of the school, and the beauty of the local nature. Nela and I became great friends and I hope to see her again and live another beautiful adventure. It was the most beautiful experience that I could ever have!

by Martina Di Filippo

Slovenia Visit

In May 2017, children and teachers from the partner schools met in Velenje in Slovenia. The sun shone and it was lovely to see everyone again! 

We were able to spend a lot of time outside and enjoy workshops based on the schools brilliant kitchen garden and visit the local castle. The community had made a brilliant effort to welcome us and we enjoyed a wonderful evening with Scouts who showed us how to light fires and build shelters. 

The children loved visiting the mine in Velenje, were able to dress up as a miner and learn about life down the mines.

The end of the week was very exciting, we visited the Postojna Cave which was beautiful and see a creature that lives there called the 'Human Fish'.

Thank you for a super week!

Experiences of the Italy Visit

This piece is written by one of the students who visited Italy as part of the 'Embracing Everyone' project. 

SPECIAL DAYS IN ITALY

The week in Italy was great. 

If I had an opportunity, I would do it again.

The experience and the knowledge we got in that one week is irreplaceable.

We made many friends, not just from Italy but from Romania, too and we still talk to each other. That one week of staying with Italian families taught us about a life style of some Italian people. They shared a piece of their lives with us, took time for taking care of another kid in their family, they invited a stranger into their home and cared for  her for a whole week. Sometimes we found some barriers in language but we defeated them with a body language or translator. But in the end we all got what we wanted.

We didn’t just meet new people we also got to know some of the history of their town and neighbouring cities. They told us about the past of their town, taught us some words in Italian, showed us how to make pasta, and how to dance zumba.

I am so grateful for the week we had. I wish more people had the chance to do that. But the week wouldn’t be so great without our two teachers and teachers from other counties, who helped us if we had any problems with the language or plans.

I don’t think this trip would be possible without good spirit and people who were open to the new experience.     

by Jona Zamrnik