STORIES

When I decided to participate in the Erasmus program in Maribor, it was quite spontaneous and not something I had previously considered. I hadn’t even heard of Maribor before and knew very little about Slovenia. It was around mid-November last year  during my first year of master’s studies when I finally decided to apply, although most of the Erasmus opportunities had already closed. Despite my eagerness to participate, I struggled to decide among the remaining options—Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Germany, and Poland—whose calls were still open.

It was through Facebook that I stumbled upon the opportunity in Maribor. To be honest, I wasn’t particularly excited initially, but I felt compelled to apply, eventually choosing Slovenia over the other alternatives. One of the deciding factors was that the University of Maribor offered courses closely aligned with those in my own faculty.

After submitting all the required documents and being accepted, I began to research more about the city. I didn’t find much information, which made me a bit nervous. I didn’t know anyone from my country who had done an exchange semester in Slovenia, let alone in Maribor.

However, I remained optimistic because I believed Slovenia, being a Balkan country, wouldn’t be too much of a cultural shock compared to my home country, Albania. I purchased my tickets and as the departure date approached, my excitement grew. I looked forward to making new friends, experiencing living alone in a foreign country for an extended period for the first time, studying all my courses and taking exams in English, and immersing myself in a completely new international environment with diverse cultures.

As the days passed, I flew from Tirana to Vienna on February 23rd and continued on to Maribor by train. It was a rainy evening when I arrived around 10 PM. Outside the dorms, I noticed a group of students enjoying themselves at a club called Štuk, where I would later create cherished memories of my own. When I entered my doorm room I didn’t  really like it, but exhausted from the journey, sleep was all I could think about.

The following morning, despite feeling overwhelmed, I ventured out for a quick walk around the city. The grey weather and light rain, coupled with deserted streets and only a few bars open, gave Maribor an eerie, ghostly feel. I started to doubt whether I had made the right choice coming here. According to Google Maps, my best bet for entertainment seemed to be a shopping center called “Europark,” where I spent half of my first day. The rest of the day was occupied with unpacking and getting to know my roommate.

Sunday arrived, and with everything closed, it felt like being in a prison. However, the arrival of more exchange students helped alleviate my sense of isolation. The initial days passed quickly, and soon the “Welcoming Week” activities began, offering me opportunities to learn more about the city, its culture, and the university. Gradually, I began to acclimate to life in this small city and form my first friendships with people from various cities and cultures.

I began to sense the city’s vibe and gradually discovered its hidden gems. Participating in all the activities organized by the university and ESN (Erasmus Student Network) provided ample opportunities for socializing. Since my classes were early and the city center wasn’t very close to Gosposvetska cesta, I started using M-bike. This was one of the first conveniences I noticed Maribor offered, and later I discovered many more that deepened my love for this city.

Days flew by as I made numerous friends with whom I worked on university group projects, attended parties, enjoyed drinks, and went on trips. It felt like we had created a small family, and each day became more exciting as we explored different parts of Slovenia, which made me fall in love with the country as a whole. I started to truly appreciate the stunning nature, mountains, rivers, lakes, the lush greenery, and the fresh air.

As mentioned earlier, Maribor and Slovenia in general offered numerous conveniences such as local transportation, trains, student discounts, and discounted meals, which were particularly noteworthy. As a student, enjoying a hearty meal for less than 5 euros and receiving a fruit afterwards (usually an apple) was vey good. In my mind this apple became a symbolic of these conveniences and the overall quality of life I experienced.

Slovenia’s advantageous geographical location in the heart of Europe provided me with the opportunity to easily visit neighboring countries during my stay. This experience broadened my understanding and perspective of life across Europe, fostering openness to new experiences. It also sparked a desire within me to potentially live abroad for a period of my life, as I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in different cultures and lifestyles. These experiences have deeply influenced my outlook, making me contemplate the possibility of living abroad in the future.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed my academic experience in Maribor. I found the lectures engaging, the projects stimulating, and the case studies insightful. The exams, although challenging, were manageable for me. The university provided abundant materials and resources, and the professors were supportive, always willing to answer questions and consider suggestions. Their openness contributed significantly to my positive academic experience.

One aspect that I found slightly challenging was socializing with the locals. In my opinion, Slovenians can be a bit reserved or distant. Perhaps it was because I was an Erasmus student, and they may have known that maintaining contact would be difficult after a few months. It could also be due to the language barrier. It seemed to me that they valued their alone time and prioritized a healthy lifestyle over socializing. This perception of them feeling less Balkan than other Balkan nations was pleasantly surprising to me. However I only managed to make a few Slovenian friends through the gym and hiking.

As everything went so smoothly, I lost track of time, and suddenly the end approached very quickly. In the last days, we enjoyed going out, watching Euro matches, and saying goodbye to friends who were leaving early. All of this made me feel nostalgic and somewhat emotional, because goodbyes are never easy.

Now that I’m writing all of this, I feel a bit sad knowing that this incredible experience has come to an end. However, I am overwhelmingly grateful for everything I’ve experienced—the friendships made, the places visited, and the academic growth I achieved in my field of study. Living and learning in Maribor allowed me to truly appreciate the city and fall in love with Slovenia more and more each day.

If I had known from the beginning what an amazing journey awaited me, I would have chosen Maribor without hesitation for my Erasmus experience. I wholeheartedly recommend this city to any student considering an exchange semester abroad.

I am thankful for all the memories created and for how this experience has transformed me as an individual. It has made me more independent, self-confident, and open to new people and experiences. I will forever cherish this opportunity and the impact it has had on my life.

Xhulio Alishollari
Faculty of Economics and Business

Student from: Tirana, Albania
Period of exchange: February 2024 – July 2024