Orsi in Slovenia

My project was truly one of the best ones out there - in Slovenia, the project received an award for best practice, while I was there! And I can only confirm this - the organization made sure we have the best coordinator and mentor team waiting for us to help adjust to life in Slovenia.

In the beginning of my project, we got to learn from two local professionals in photography and videography and even though I arrived with zero previous experience to the project, by the end of it, I was able to create my own personal project.

At the same time, we regularly participated in local events - like concerts, exhibition openings, cultural and winter events - that helped us meet local people and also to sharpen our skills. In the months of January and February, we were working together with other organizations, teaching them about multimedia and also learning about their work.

In the months of March, April and beginning of May, we were holding multimedia workshops in four schools of Medvode, which at first scared me, but the kids were super interested and it was easy to work with them. We were able to teach them the basic principles of photography and videography through interactive and creative workshops and with the help of one of our volunteers, we had a big last workshop for all the kids interested in astrophotography.

Even though all parts of the project were equally engaging and exciting, I especially enjoyed the last part, where all of us were working on our own personal projects. I chose to create an interview-series with organizations working for social inclusion and managed to meet 3 of them this way. I have become a photographer and videographer during the events of Društvo za kulturo inkluzije, which is an organization for people with special needs. Then I had the amazing chance to connect with people from Ljubljana Pride Association and I was helping at the Pride Week making videos for their highlight videos of the events, in return for the interview. And with Furkan - who I met from Društvo za Medkulturni Dialog -, I managed to interview him and also gave him an interview in Radio Študent - an independent urban radio station, talking about my experiences with Erasmus+ projects.

At the same time, I was visiting other locals, who are practicing traditional handicrafts - I met six different people from six different walks of life and professions. Not only did I learn about their jobs, but also how they found their passion in life and I honestly believe that the conversations with them will stay with me for a very long time.