Slovenian students break from mainstream trend and explore life abroad

Photo: European Commission

Slovenia gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and since then a good number of young Slovenes have been making the most of chances to study abroad. But they're the exception. Slovene's are among Europe's most stay-at-home people. Most don't even want to move within the country.

Photo: European Commission
So why do some break out and get that foreign experience? Spela Debenak of the Student Resource Centre in Ljubljana:

"I think the individual reason is the experience that the students get abroad and another interest, I think, is the idea of mobility that is really alive among students. Another reason is to get the experience and knowledge about other countries."

Vid Flis from Slovenia studies Microbiology in the Austrian city of Graz. His decision to study abroad was based on the positive experiences of his friends:

"In my opinion the first question is what to study and then where to study and in my personal experience it was mouth to mouth propaganda from people who studied in foreign countries and who told me how it functions there."

Photo: European Commission
His final decision to study in Austria was made during an open day at the Ljubljana University. He believes that professors in Austria become more involved than those in Slovenia:

"It was the relationship of the professor of the university which made me think and which helped me to make my choice but they did not put so much effort into their work in Slovenia and afterwards when I came to Austria everything was almost perfect, and they really made a great impression on me."

Photo: European Commission
According to Spela Debenak of the Student Resource centre Slovenian students are keen on studying in western European countries, such as Germany, France, Portugal, Spain or Italy. Some students decide to go to Canada, the United States or the UK, however there the costs are higher and therefore only a few can afford to study in these countries. But how hard is it to find the right university and to cover the cost of studying abroad? Spela Debenak:

"It really depends, if they go to the bilateral exchanges Erasmus and Ceepus for Eastern countries it is not a difficult procedure to be accepted, because it means that two universities already have an agreement that makes it much easier for the student to apply. But if they decide to go to a university with which the Ljubljana University does not have an agreement then it's more difficult - it takes more time, at least a year to plan everything and to get financial support. So they try to get a scholarship in Slovenia or at the university where they go but yes it is very difficult."