Student Mobility Ambassadors

I am Lea Krulc, currently a student in the graduate program specializing in project-strategic management. Last year, I completed my undergraduate studies and decided to study abroad during this time, which I consider to be the best decision in my entire study process. I chose Gran Canaria as my destination, an island in Spain, an exotic European island, or as one could say, a little paradise on Earth.

I chose to study on the Canary Islands primarily because I wanted to experience Spanish culture and escape the winter.

My experience was indescribable. The Canary Islands are much more than just a warm climate. They hide incredibly beautiful nature, from beaches, mountains, to deserts. You can truly feel the authenticity and warmth of the people on the island, and their relaxed pace of life makes them happier and less prone to stress. Spaniards are also very sociable and open. I almost fully embraced their mentality and it stayed with me even after returning to Slovenia.

I am Manja Pauko, a student at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Maribor. I completed my undergraduate studies in marketing, and now I am deepening my strategic and project management knowledge in my graduate studies.

I have always dreamed big, had many desires, and above all, goals. I am ambitious, open-minded, communicative, and mostly full of energy. My weakness is indecision. But not in this story.

I completed my third year of studies in Vienna. I did not hesitate in making this decision, and it turned out to be the best possible. I would legislate that at least one semester of study abroad should be a requirement for graduation.

My experience took place at the University of Applied Sciences Vienna. I had been to Vienna as a typical Maribor resident several times before. However, I had never known, understood, and fallen in love with it as much as when I lived there. And even now, I feel it and can't wait to go back!

Vienna is a multicultural city. The diversity of cultures is palpable when you are in one place with two feet on the ground but feel like you are on different continents simultaneously. The Latino culture contributes with dance styles in clubs and the timing of social gatherings. The Scandinavian focus, work ethic, and practicality. Girls in crocheted gloves, who, despite the Viennese headwind in January, rush on bikes to run errands. With Asians, you will hone your leadership skills and truly experience a cultural shock for the first time. Learning about the life of a classmate from Morocco will make you realize that, despite having a difficult life story, you are lucky to have been born in Slovenia. I also wanted to be as confident as Germans, regardless of how unfavorable the situations may be, and as calm as always carefree Swiss. And to have the perfect smile of the Indians when toasting "shoots, shoots, shoots." Discovering the attachment of Slavs. Russian humor, style. The Balkan touch of homeliness. All this and more is Vienna. All this is one city. Such an architecturally and emotionally rich city. And suddenly, you become rich too. The city, stories, studies, cultures, people. All of this changes you. Enriches you.

The way of studying is completely different. A thousand and one possibilities of different assessments. Exercises based solely and explicitly on company examples. And lectures without preparation for them, you just don't understand. But every challenge is just an opportunity for a new victory. Changes are ultimately the only constant in life.

I urge you to choose your changes. Only then will you have friendships all over Europe and the world. And when I say friendships, I mean real friendships, not just platonic relationships and acquaintances. These people become your people. You are now part of their stories, and they are part of yours.

What will remain for me from all of this? The desire to study and work abroad. Oktoberfest. Quickly acquired cooking skills. The realization that you are truly the master of your own happiness. And 3 best friends from Russia, Ekaterina, Albina, and Alice. Gratitude.