In the framework of the Intervet Western Balkans project, Institute for New Age Education (ZNI) hosted a group from Albania that stayed here from January 27th until February 25th in 2022. Sending organisation of the group was Albanian Skills - National Association for Skills Competitions and the project was coordinated by our long term partner, Uniser Società Cooperativa Sociale Onlus from Forlì, Italy.

Students Musa, Erald, Rei, Fabian, Klevi, Briland, Laerti, Melisa, Etis, Kristian and Juled arrived to Maribor from Vienna Airport on 27th of January. They were accompanied by their tutor Seldan. The group had a few days of preparation which included many activities: presentation of Mobility program and getting to know each other at the ZNI office, Safety at work course at IVD centre, Interview simulation and CV workshop, presentation of Slovenia and visiting National Liberation Museum with a Guided city tour: What can Maribor offer me?.

The group's mentor, Patricia Hrnčić, was guiding and mentoring the group through their mobility in Maribor. As part of mobility programme activities, the group went on a trip to Pohorje hill, must see hiking spot in Maribor, where they had an opportunity to get to know each other better and spend quality time in nature. 

Practical trainings for the students were organised by ZNI mobility coordinator Rebeka Čeh in different companies in Maribor. Students were placed in the following companies: construction company Kodel d.o.o., security company REAL security d.o.o., marketing agency Kainoto d.o.o., online accounting development company E-Računi d.o.o., company with gaming equipment Colby d.o.o., a restaurant Nana gostinstvo d.o.o., electronic PCB boards production company Smartronik d.o.o., daily center for children and youth PIKA dnevni center za otroke in mladostnike Maribor, private investigation company Intellegos d.o.o. and a hotel on Pohorje hill 5START d.o.o. In the companies the students had been given the opportunity to develop, both personally and professionally, and had improved their knowledge in different fields. 

The main goal of this mobility was to encourage students to learn, as well as socialise and meet new people. Students spent their free time going around Maribor, walking by the Drava river and going to the city park. They loved spending time outside and exploring the city as much as they could. Students expressed that living in Maribor was a great and very valuable experience for them. All of the students improved their English and communication skills and also became more independent.

My name is Vittoria Romagnoli, I’m 17 years old and I’m on mobility in Maribor, Slovenia.

I heard about this experience by my English teacher, and I immediately participated because I think that Erasmus+ project is a great opportunity to improve my skills and to grow personally.

When I first came here, I was a little bit scared because it was my first long experience abroad alone, but at the same time I knew that it would have been a wonderful experience, so I started to talk with the other students that are here with me, and we built a strong friendship so everything became simpler.

We live in a dorm where we have a shared kitchen and shared bathrooms, at the beginning it was a little bit strange because, of course, it’s very different from our home, but a couple of days after I started to get used to it. We organized and divided the duties we have to do and, even if not always everyone respects that, we’re doing great.

During the first days we did some preparation activities with ZNI in order to get used to the culture of Slovenia and also to the world of work, in fact, after watching some PowerPoints about Slovenia, we did some exercises about Europass CV and job interviews simulations. These activities have been very useful, especially because most of us have never worked before.

After these activities, we had a job interview with our company and then we started working. I work at ZNI with my friend Martina and today is my sixth day at work, so I still have a lot to learn but it’s an interesting job, we work with social media, and we also help our colleagues doing simple things in the office.
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Last weekend we took a trip to the mountain Pohorje, we followed a path into the wood, and we arrived at a chalet where we had lunch with traditional food. It’s been stunning and it’s been also an occasion to get to know each other more.

I’m learning a lot of things and, most importantly, I’m improving myself and my adaptability. It’s a lovely place and people are friendly so I can say that, until now, my mobility has been successful.

In this month and a half I felt really comfortable in everything, my hotel room was large enough and we had plenty of space to put our food and clothes, it was always tidy and clean.  I got along very well at work, I had nice and always available colleagues and despite my difficulties in speaking English, we understood each other.  I learned a lot in this experience and it helped me to learn to live alone.  We were always followed and monitored by ZNI, and for anything we needed, we could write to them. - ​Emanuele

In this experience I rediscovered myself. I did not know I understand English well; I had a bit of difficulty in speaking it but I have always tried and this helped me to understand that I want to learn English even better.  At work, at first I felt out of place but after I began to feel at ease and working in a vegan pastry shop, I know that in the future, if I ever find a job in a vegan pastry shop, I'll be ready!  it was nice to work with my colleagues; there were a lot of fun moments and we worked together very well!  This Erasmus experience gave me what I know I will need in the future; it was a really good experience that I fully recommend to many others!  And I thank ZNI who have been close to us and for all the help! Thank you very much!  Maribor is a really beautiful city I will return there one day for a weekeed with my friends. - ​Maimuna

In this experience, I have learned and improved my English, the company and my colleagues were very nice and fun. The hotel where we were based was very nice enough space for clothes and food, we never lacked anything. Everyone in the company was very friendly and available if I had any doubts. In case of problems or doubts there was the support of ZNI. Thanks for everything. - ​Leta

In this experience I learned a lot of new things. My work colleagues were very good even though I had difficulties with the language. I didn't know I was that good and able to live alone without my parents. I felt good in the hotel with my partner, and we always kept the room clean. - Khady

My first 2 months in Maribor :

I arrived almost two months ago and I still have a lot to do, to learn and to discover, but before thinking of the future let’s have a look at the things that I have already accomplished here. 

I arrived on the 20th June, I have been welcome by Patricia very kindly even if it was 1am, she responded to all my questions and put me in contact with other French girl who is living in the same building as I do, by giving me her number.

After some preparation days, I met my coworkers which are all really welcoming and really helping in a professional way and a personal way, always patient and listening , they’re usually responding to all my questions without problems, if it’s about work tasks, English vocabulary, or questions about Slovenia and Maribor, which will probably make my internship easier than I thought it would be. 

I can already tell my English and my accent are improving, being out of my comfort zone forced me to be more independent and have more self-confidence. Thanks to the job which is sometimes full of responsibility (taking younger students from one place to another), I am now able to talk in English in front of 15 or more people without feeling ashamed or judged. I also learned how to be more flexible, autonomous and patient because of the unexpected problems that can sometimes happen at work. 

I want to enjoy my experience and my free time as much as I can. I already had the chance to go to some concerts, climb to Pohorje hill, do some wakeboarding, bungee jumping in Soča, swimming in the Adriatic Sea and went to Bled Lake. There are so many others things planned. 

I still have 4 months to go and I cannot wait to see/live what will happen next!

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“If you are persistent you will get it. If you are consistent you will keep it.” - Harvey MacKay
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Hello, I'm Ana Luísa. I’m 20 years old, and I am from Portugal. More specifically, from the Madeira Island, and I would like to share my Erasmus+ experience with you.
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The idea to go on this adventure occurred during the global lockdown period, we all had to go through. At the time, I was not in Madeira, I was on another Erasmus+ adventure, as a student. One day I noticed that the University, I was attending at the time, is advertising an Erasmus+ program, which also offers the possibility to participate in a work practice. This seemed like a great opportunity, to gain some work experience abroad.

Getting to know the world, as well as the work outside of Portugal, and outside of my comfort zone, has always been something that I desired. I decided to come to Maribor, after talking to many of my colleagues, who have already been in Maribor, and had an incredible experience there. I believe that Maribor has a lot of charm as a city, and can offer many possibilities to anyone to develop both personally and professionally.

Currently I am in Maribor, already in the middle of this new adventure. I hope that through it I can grow as a person, strengthen my qualities, and a sense of responsibility as well. We live in a world, which within years will be governed by us, therefore the strong leadership skills are needed, and I think that there is no better opportunity to develop them than through the Erasmus+ project.

I will stay in Maribor until January. In my opinion, an adventure like this puts you to the test. It is an opportunity to grow in many ways (culturally, psychologically, personally) and a time during which you learn to adapt and gain a sense of responsibility. Additionally, I believe it is necessary to have an open mind to face new tasks and new challenges.

I am carrying out different tasks, mostly from the field of administration. Every day I have new tasks, for a new, different purpose. Documents we prepare vary from country to country, and every minute you spend in the office is a new linguistic, professional and even cultural lesson. Even a simple document scan brings new knowledge to me as an intern.At ZNI I also help with the hosting organisation, and I am involved with activities such as tour trips and creating flyers. Working on the ZNI’s social media profiles, is another area that I have been helping with. This is helping me develop my creative side.
 
At the ZNI office, where I currently work, I feel at home. The whole team helps me and they are involving me in all their activities. This makes it easier to be away from home, my family and friends. They are giving me a true work experience, which enables me to develop as worker and as a human being. All the tasks, which are given to me, are a new challenge and a great new lesson.
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The second meeting, held virtually as well, was on September 30th 2020. The highlighted theme of the meeting was COVID-19 and the influence of it on the project. The different members were discussing activities scheduled for the following months. The other debated topics were: the future of INTERVET WB and Mobility, Quality Management and  Dissemination. The meeting helped us to better plan our activities and improve our hosting capacities. 
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​Our team attended both meetings. Currently, we are working hard to prepare, and to soon implement the mobility, especially since the new reality requires of us to be more responsible regarding the hygiene and safety rules. We have been brainstorming a lot and we hope that soon we will be able  to implement all our ideas. We are prepared to host new interns, and we are expecting them in the beginning of the next year. ​