Foreign trainees

Hello! My name is Melissa Claire Barrera. I am originally from the Philippines but I studied my Master’s in Intercultural Management in Dijon, France at the University of Burgundy. I was doing my exchange semester in Taichung, Taiwan when I saw the call for internship at the International Relations Office of the University of Maribor. I really wanted to go to Slovenia because I want to explore beautiful sites and histories of the Central European side; and because I want to get a chance to meet the famous Slovenian philosopher, Dr. Slavoj Zizek. The call for internship was also very relevant to my studies so I was quite excited to apply my knowledge and learn more in practice. Fast forward to today, I am so glad that I was selected to be a part of this year’s trainees!

Greetings from Finland! My name is Huong Le - a ‘nomad’ girl originally from Vietnam. I have been studying aboard since I was 19 and travelled to 26 countries by the age of 22. Finland was the first foreign country that I chose to study. In the third year of my bachelor, I got an amazing opportunity to join the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme. A six-month-exchange in Rotterdam, the Netherlands became the best 6 months of my life. I was longing for more experience after coming back from my Exchange, which led me toward the inspiration to accomplish another Erasmus+ Practical Training abroad.

I could say that working as a Trainee in the International Relations Office was one of the greatest choices I have ever made. I got a chance to work with a kind supervisor, Mrs Sanja Kocijan, who always takes care of us, and wonderful colleagues who are helpful, supportive and humorous. I am enjoying to support the international students who got the same problems that I used to face. Working in such a multinational environment and meeting fantastic people every day fulfil my soul.

Maribor is treating me well, I love the nature, the landscape and the hospitality of Slovenian. Another six-month full of beautiful memories is happening to me now, so I could not be happier. I would highly recommend you apply for this position and quickly come to explore yourself in sLOVEnia.

Hi, my name is Selina and I’m from Germany.

During my Bachelor’s studies I got the chance of spending an academic semester abroad at a beautiful small Italian town called Parma. This endowed me with many fulfilling experiences, unforgettable moments and precious intercultural experiences. In addition, I had the opportunity to get an insight in various traditions of other countries and to improve my Italian and English language skills.

The application and enrolment process for my term abroad provided me an insight to different International Offices. I was fascinated by the cosmopolitan relations they have to students from all over the world and by the open-minded atmosphere in these institutions.

Due to that experience, my curiosity in the work of International Offices was awakened - and now I’m very excited to be here at beautiful Maribor - doing this internship at the International Relations Office of FEB!

Hi! Zdravo! Olá! Привет! Привiт!

My name is Alina. I am from Ordzhonikidze, a small town located in Ukraine. For the past 12 years, I have been living in Portugal. I believe that this change of residence helped me to define the goals for my professional life and make the right decision.

As my hobby is learning foreign languages, after high school I decided to take a degree in Languages and Business Communication. The ability to speak different languages allows me to communicate across cultures and have access to more sources of information.

Being a fresh MS graduate in Management, I have a solid foundation of the fundamentals of business and management. I lead a project thesis about commercial collaboration between Portugal and Russia. Since, I am fluent in 4 different languages, including Russian, Ukranian, Portuguese and English, I was able to gather data but also analyse information correctly. I carry that experience with me today and bring it with me into new position.

I have strong appetite for learning and eagerness for new challenges that is why I came to Slovenia as a trainee at International Relations Office of FEB soon after my MS. I love the interaction with students with diverse cultural backgrounds and the university management at the office.

When I have free time I try to participate in outdoor activities, explore the beautiful nature and culture of Slovenia and learn some Slovene.

I have a strong belief that this international working experience will give me the opportunity to find a good job in the International Relations field.

Hello, my name is Maria, I am from Zakynthos, Greece. I just finish my bachelor’s degree in business Administrator and Management at University of Western Macedonia. This is my second time going abroad with Erasmus+ program and if you didn't try Erasmus yet, you should definitely do it.

Being a trainee in International Relations Office gives you plenty of opportunities to meet new people from all over the world, to improve your skills and get some experience in office work and to be a part of great team. Maribor is a very nice city, full of friendly people and lot of activities (festivals, sport events, etc.) So, if you have one opportunity like this, don´t hesitate in take it because it could be your best experience ever.

After Erasmus everyone has a different experience, everything around looks different, but the main point is the same for everyone that << you will become a citizen of the World who will always have a family out there >>.

See you soon Maribor and Slovenia <3  

HI! I’m Kasia Kwiatkowska from Warsaw and I just completed my Master degree at Military Academy of Technology. I am anxious soul, I cannot stay in one place for long, so I decided to come to Maribor and do something for myself and this is how I started my first International Internship. I came here to improve my skills in English language and get some experience in office work but what Maribor and Univerzita v Mariboru gave me exceeded my expectations. I met fantastic people with whom I visited many beautiful places. I learned how to be patient and understanding. I had opportunity to make analyzes and reports and be a part of great team in the International Relations Office.

If anyone would ask me if it’s worth it to come to Maribor and start International internship at Univerzita v Mariboru, my answer would be: do you need a help to pack up?

My name is Ieva, I’m from Vilnius, Lithuania. This is my 4^th time going abroad with Erasmus+ program. I would’ve lie if I would say that this was unexpected turn in my life. For many different reasons I always had that strong curiosity about life inside of me and this was the greatest stimulus to use every opportunity to go out of my comfort zone and to experience life abroad.

I chose Maribor and Maribor has chosen me. Being a trainee in International Realations Office gives You plenty of opportunities to meet new people (local and international), teaches You how to plan Your time, how to cope with different tasks, how to grow up and use all the knowledge You already gained in University or Your personal life. In here You can find all the opportunities to express yourself, to live in adventure, to travel and just enjoy life in a way, it would never be possible if You wouldn’t have come here.

I love surprises in my life and I know, that Maribor has already prepared many of them for me. So I know for sure that in this time of my life, being at Maribor and working in International Relations Office is the right thing to do.

Hello everyone! My name is Catarina and I’m 22 years old. I finished my bachelor in Engineering and Management of Information Systems last July in University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal. Although my field of study is not exactly related to International Relations, I still decided to apply for this internship the moment I saw the offer. I love to travel, getting to know other people and their cultures, and ever since my first experience as an Erasmus student in 2016, in Athens, Greece, I was looking forward for another opportunity out of Portugal. So far, Slovenia and Maribor have been a pleasant surprise, and I’m really enjoying working in the International Relations Office!

The international experiences have got changed my life and my mentality!

During the first semester of 2016 I was doing my Erasmus studies in Poland, but everything would end in February, so I decided to do my internship and continue improving my english. I found Maribor within my possible choices and it seemed so beautiful and very calm city to me, besides I read an infinity of good comments about it.  Without thinking twice, I sent my apply and … try my luck!

It certainly is and will be an unforgettable experience. I have met wonderful people, from a multitude of nationalities. Also, the deal in the office is great. But definitely Slovenia is pretty amazing! I'm in love with its nature and with all its landscapes.

It is an opportunity that everyone should try because gives you much more than an international work experience. After these 6 months I'll get useful skills for my future, I’m sure and I’m so happy to have dared to do it.

But anyway, one thing is clear, each experience are different for each one but is always the same for everyone who tried doing this, one Erasmus always Erasmus, as a citizien of the world. 

Working in international office has been an amazing oportunity for me to learn to work with international students as well as international partners and to understand the sense of mobility programmes. I love to talk in English and experience international enviroment. I have been an erasmus student in Spain and this is another experience how to see everything from a different point of view. This intership helps me to understand culture differences and customs as well as beeing openminded.

The training at the International Office of the Faculty of Economics and Business is a great opportunity to gain practical experience in working abroad and to work in a diverse team. Due to the international atmosphere in the office you learn a lot about different cultures and universities.

Seeing the university from another point of view is a very interesting experience and it is awesome to get the opportunity to help other students to find their favourite Erasmus country. The working atmosphere in the office is great and the daily work includes a wide range of varied and interesting tasks.

After finishing my Erasmus study exchange, I was looking for some more options for me to prolong this “easygoing” period of my life, to enjoy my last year at university for 100%. So now I am working like a trainee at the International Office on the Faculty of Economics and Business. It is a perfect opportunity for me to gain some work experience, improve my language and communication skills and also enjoy the Erasmus life little bit longer. 

If there is something, I would like to tell in the end, it would be very short. Erasmus changed me. I feel more confident, more independent, better. It was the best decision in my life, to study and work abroad, especially at Maribor. I will never regret it!

I have learnt the organization and management of a International Office. I have expanded my horizons, language skills and interhuman relations. Working at the International Office is not only to fill documents, answer emails...I have had the opportunity to see how amazing is to understand the students and try to solve their problems but, also the chance to feel really good when you solve it. 

These are just some of the reasons why I think it was a good decision, but also I have to say that Maribor is a great city, the workplace is very nice and the manner of the Slovenian people was a pleasant surprise. I really suggest everybody to join this experience, is not the same to write about it, than living it so, if you have the chance, do it.