Zsófi in Slovenia

Hi everyone, I’m Zsófi, and I spent nearly six months in Slovenia on a permaculture farm (Kmetija Veles) as part of the ESC program.

I applied for this project because I would like to produce at least part of the food I consume in a sustainable way in the future. However, having grown up in a panel apartment in the capital, I had very little knowledge of farming, permaculture, or what this kind of lifestyle actually involves. I therefore had two main goals when applying: first, to experience this way of life firsthand and find out whether it was truly something I could see myself pursuing; and second, if it was, to gain as much practical knowledge and experience as possible.

The months I spent here confirmed how positively spending time in nature, doing physical work, and eating high-quality food affect my well-being - both mentally and physically. I am returning home with a wealth of experiences, practical skills, and techniques that I hope to put into practice in the future. More importantly, this experience has given me a much more realistic and concrete understanding of what I want to do in the future. I now have a better sense not only of the rewarding aspects, but also of the sacrifices, challenges, risks, and time commitment involved. What was once mostly an idea has become something I have experienced in practice.

At the same time, this experience has raised new questions for me. How can we adapt to the effects of climate change, such as droughts and pests? How can we find a sustainable balance between work, personal life, and rest? I do not have all the answers yet, but I am confident that when the time comes to cultivate my own garden, I will continue learning and find ways to answer these questions.

I know there is a great deal of anxiety among my generation regarding the present and, especially, the future. It is easy to become disheartened and view the future as hopeless. One feels like a mere drop in the ocean, and any action can seem like tilting at windmills. However, through my volunteer work, I have met many like-minded people who we shared similar values. Such encounters bring relief and joy, and they strengthen one’s resolve. I have learned just how much power lies in community.