Victoria fra Jægerspris var på ESC frivilligprogrammet i Slovenien i 2 måneder, hvor hun arbejdet med heste, og her kan du læse hvad hun skriver til os:
I’m currently in Slovenia, and I’m having the absolute time of my life!
I have always loved traveling and experiencing new cultures! I wanted to do something meaningful in my gap year, but at the same time I wanted to continue seeing the world Furthermore, I wanted to work with animals, since I want to study for veterinarian in the future I decided on this volunteering program, because I got the chance to work with horses, while living and adapting in a whole other culture than the Northern Europe
I have learned a lot about responsibility with kids and bigger animals. Also how to adapt to a new environment. I lived in a very rural area, which I have never tried before, so it takes a lot of effort to meet new people, and some don’t speak English, so I’ve also learned how to communicate beyond the language barriers.
It took me only a week to realize, that this was exactly where I needed to be! Describing it is difficult, because there was just one moment, but in general everything was perfect! I got amazing friends very fast, I love the family I live with, and I live being surrounded by animals all the time! People here are SO nice and are always up for chatting, whether its in English or with half signs half guessing.
Once my life fell into place and I got used to this, I started feeling at home. The reason that I know, going abroad was the right decision, is because I can’t imagine leaving this and going back home. 🙂
A lot has surprised me in the meantime, but if I had to chose a specific thing, it would be the people’s lives here. As mentioned, I live in a very rural area, so here is also a lot of farming. I have some friends that are in the age of 20-23 and they work 8 hours a day, all week, in every weather, in order to make money. I’ve seen two of the boys build an entire roof by themselves and harvest fields and mow in 30°C weather. It’s so impressive but also unusual, I don’t know anyone my age in Denmark, that are able to work like they do. They are problem solvers and builders, it’s fascinating and fantastic to see. And they are not the only ones, I have met so many people here, who have life’s that differ a lot from the life’s in Denmark.
Also the people are SO nice and generous and it is part of their culture to always wanting to pay for each other. It’s hilarious to go out and eat with friends, and argue about who gets to pay now.
I would recommend everyone to go abroad, because it really changes a person’s view on life, and the experiences you get will 100% stay with you forever. I’ve et one of my best friends here, and I’ll definitely come back one day. It’s like a second home to me.
I attached pictures to this text. There’s some from my weekly trips to a lake nearby, where I go to with my friends! One of a potato field, where my friend and I hand-picked potatoes for 2 hours, and afterwards got lunch at the farmers house as a thank-you-for-the-help!
Some pictures of the horses, cats and dogs I live and work with and my trip to the capital Ljubljana!
– best regards from Slovenia and me, Victoria Blond
