In the framework of the Intervet Western Balkans project, Institute for New Age Education (ZNI) hosted a group from Kosovo that stayed here from July 25th until August 24th in 2022. Sending organisation of the group was Prishtina REA and the project was coordinated by our long term partner, Uniser Società Cooperativa Sociale Onlus from Forlì, Italy.

Students Ardit, Aulona, Donika, Leutrim, Bardh, Engjull and Erin arrived to Maribor from Vienna Airport on 25th of July. They were accompanied by their tutor Taulant. The group had a few days of preparation which included many activities: presentation of Mobility program and getting to know each other at the ZNI office, Safety at work course at IVD centre, Interview simulation and CV workshop, presentation of Slovenia and visiting National Liberation Museum with a Guided city tour: What can Maribor offer me?

The group’s mentor, Petra Fuks, was guiding and mentoring the group through their mobility in Maribor. As part of mobility programme activities, the group went on a trip to Pohorje hill, must see hiking spot in Maribor, where they had an opportunity to get to know each other better and spend quality time in nature. 

Practical trainings for the students were organised by ZNI mobility coordinator Rebeka Čeh in different companies in Maribor. Students were placed in the following companies: hotels under the brand 5START d.o.o., restaurants NANA gostinstvo d.o.o. and FUDO (Piment d.o.o.), metal production company Kovinarstvo Zupanič d.o.o. and music production educational academy Kulturno izobraževalno društvo AlphaWave. In the companies the students had been given the opportunity to develop, both personally and professionally, and had improved their knowledge in different fields. 

The main goal of this mobility was to encourage students to learn, as well as socialise and meet new people. Students spent their free time going around Maribor, walking by the Drava river and going to the city park. They loved  exploring the city as much as they could and spending time with people they met here in Maribor. Students enjoyed living in Maribor and gave a positive feedback about their experience here. They felt accomplished and left more independent.