Maribor diaries: growing and learning with Erasmus

Ilaria, Swami and Andrea spent 3 months in Maribor hosted by ZNI – Institute for New Age Education, thanks to the 2023 Erasmus+ Accreditation of ITE Serra In Cesena. Check out their mobility experiences!

Ilaria

My Erasmus experience in Maribor was a life-transforming trip that led me to grow both personally and professionally. Initially, the unknowns, the fear of being far from home and the uncertainty about what it would be like to live in a foreign country held me back. However, today, some time later, I can say with certainty that I would go back a thousand times. The experience I had in Maribor gave me much more than I imagined, both from a human and a linguistic point of view. Maribor, being a city that welcomes many international students, allowed me to come into contact with boys and girls of different nationalities, each with their own history, culture and point of view.

In addition, a key aspect of my experience was the work I did as a customer assistant in a museum in Maribor. This experience not only allowed me to get in touch with Slovenian history and culture, but also gave me the opportunity to get to know local people and interact with visitors from all over the world. The work environment was stimulating and multicultural, allowing me to learn not only on a professional level, but also on a human level, interacting with colleagues of different nationalities and thus discovering the cultural differences and traditions of each individual country.

Another element that had a significant impact on my experience was the refinement of my English skills. Initially, the prospect of having to communicate exclusively in a foreign language worried me, but I soon realized that this would be one of the most important opportunities for growth. This experience allowed me to improve not only my language skills in a professional setting, but also my ability to communicate clearly and effectively in more formal settings.

Swami

I spent three months in the city of Maribor in Slovenia, it was my first Erasmus, I worked at the host partner, it definitely served me a lot both as personal and professional growth, I met many people of different nationalities. What I learned is teamwork and being more autonomous, I discovered skills I didn’t think I had and which I immediately implemented in my work. I will leave my heart in this city because it made me meet people who changed my life (in a positive way) including colleagues who made me feel at home with their presence. I recommend this experience to everyone because although at the beginning maybe you will never seem to pass, however when the end comes you will not want to leave.

Andrea

This Erasmus was a unique experience: in fact, after having carried out a previous Erasmus in Malta, which didn’t go as planned due to unforeseen circumstances, this experience in Slovenia made me reconsider the actual functioning of the Erasmus+ project. I was very well received by my work colleagues, who helped me and involved me as if I had been a close friend of theirs, thanks to which I became proficient in the job and in the Slovenian language. Thanks to this period the perception of money and waste also changed, trying to save as much as possible and helping those who needed it most. I will definitely return to that wonderful city, full of wonderful people.

The only downsides of the trip were the move, which somewhat disrupted the relationships we had built among ourselves as roommates, and the inability to fully experience life as independent adults with driving licenses. With a few adjustments, the Erasmus+ experience could become an essential opportunity for the growth of all young people.

These three stories from Maribor highlight the profound impact of the Erasmus experience. Each participant embarked on this journey with different expectations and challenges, yet all left with valuable lessons, unforgettable memories, and a deeper understanding of both themselves and the world around them. Whether through personal growth, professional development, or cultural exchange, Erasmus provided an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones, build meaningful connections, and gain new perspectives.