Dober dan!

Soon our trip to Slovenia is over and we are on our way home. We have now arrived at the airport in Trieste, Italy, after a two-hour long bus ride. It feels sad to go home and to leave all new friends we have made during our trip. Also, we are going to miss the beautiful landscape, environment and the opportunities to learn things from other countries and cultures.

At first it was a bit scary to meet new people but now after a week, we are glad we came here and got to know all of them. We have learned a few things about everyone participating in this project. Even though everyone had different proficiency levels in English, we have all been able to communicate and laugh with each other. For example, in some cases we got to use French, Spanish or German. Also, Google translation has been a very helpful tool to understand one another. We might already have known from the beginning that it is possible to communicate without verbal language but overcoming your fears and taking that first step is a whole different story. One of the main purposes of this project was for us to get to know students from other European countries. From that initial icebreaking activity to the folk dance on our last day, we were encouraged to be curious, to use languages, to communicate. That has been an invaluable experience and we could not be happier to have participated – we have made real friends.

This experience has also equipped us with invaluable knowledge in the field of natural conservation and cultural heritage. Our second day started at the Slovenian Forestry Institute in Ljubljana with a lecture about invasive species in Slovenia and relevant data for the upcoming expeditions of the week. This was when we first encountered the Japanese knotweed, the plant that would also be the most mentioned species during our journey. We have learned that the Japanese knotweed, a big bush that may reach a maximum height of 3-4 meters and survive many harsh conditions, is one of the most common invasive species in Slovenia. For example, it can survive in -35^oC and it can also grow through asphalt. These factors make this plant hard to eradicate and that is why it is now so widespread. Cultural heritage was also part of the project. We got to explore the political and cultural history of Ljubljana with a passionate guide who also told us about the student life in the city. We can announce that one of our Swedes is now very positive to going back to study there in the future.

The possibilities of the past and the future were on the agenda throughout the entire trip. On Wednesday, we got the opportunity to learn more about invasive species when we visited the Triglav National Park and the lake in Bohinj. Then we had a ride to the lake Bled where we learned about an invasive species of mussels. In addition, we got to experience traditional Slovene landscapes in the old village of Studor with its double haystacks. On Thursday, we were back at the school and science centre, where we tracked animals and coloured fabrics with the roots of Japanese knotweed. We think it is good to get to know more about possible uses of invasive species and not only that they are bad. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And if life gives you Japanese knotweed, dye clothes. This can give us new perspectives and make us think outside the box. Perhaps, someday this can change the world 😊.

The last day together with Erasmus+ participants was spent at the school. There, we were working on our panels about what we have learned about invasive species during the week. Also, we did some funny games, including traditional Slovenian folk dance. We finished the day with a farewell lunch and a ceremony for those who had been a part of the Erasmus+ project in Slovenia. We can all agree that it was sad to say goodbye to our new friends, but we leave them with new experiences, new knowledge and great new memories. This is very interesting things to take part of because often you don’t have the chance to do it in such detail we have done it this week.

So, Erasmus+ is a great opportunity for young, curious students to learn more and have more understanding for other cultures. For those who may not go to language exchanging programs, this could be the perfect chance to still see the world, use different languages and meet other people. Also, it can give us a better understanding of the EU and how to prevent conflicts.

 

Best regards, Sanna & Paulin

Hello everyone

Our third day in Slovenia was spent in Bohinj (Triglav National Park) and Bled. The day started with breakfast. At 8 am the bus left the hotel and we were on our way to the beautiful nature. The bus tour took about an hour and we were all fascinated by the environment with the high mountains, floods and lakes. Some of the Slovenians think that “the high mountains” are just hills, but if you’re from the south of Sweden, those “hills” will look huge.

When we arrived at Triglav National Park we got into our groups (that consists of one or two Slovenians, one Swede, one Portuguese and one Belgian). We got a map that showed the whole national park

and then we started to walk towards the Bohinj lake. It was a beautiful lake with crystal clear water. In spring when the glaciers on the mountains melt, the water runs down to the lake, which results in the water change three times a year. After a photo session by the lake, we continued the walk around the national park. We were always surrounded by mountains and nice views.

After a pleasant walk in the enjoyable weather, we came to a small village. In the village most of the houses are made from wood, and even if there are newbuilt constructions, they still have respect for the traditional architecture of houses of wood. Later, we came to a nature center where we listened to a presentation about Triglav National Parc and nature conservation. According to the organization behind the national park, the park has rich biodiversity because of the surrounding alpines. Also, we got to know that Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia (2864m) and it is important for Slovenia’s identity. In the park, more than 5500 different plants and animal species have been discovered so far. Another thing that we learned is that the most common invasive species is Japanese knotweed. The house where the presentation was held was also built in wood. In the same house, there was also an exhibition about the Bohinj lake.

The next thing on the agenda was a stop by some construction where they dry hay in the past. There we once again worked in our group and this time we were supposed to make a drawing of the construction and invasive species. We also learned about the Slovenian agriculture. Then it was time for lunch. Today, we tried Slovenian traditional food. For the appetiser, we had noodle soup with bread. For the main course, there was chicken with a potato ball and sauce that tasted a little bit like Swedish “Vörtbröd”. And for dessert, we were served some cheese with lingonberry jam, cinnamon and sugar. It was very interesting to taste some of Slovenia’s traditional food. By doing these kinds of things, we can learn more about their culture. Also, during lunch we got to know some of the people from Belgium better. Me (Sanna) and Paulin got to use our French knowledge that we have learned during our years in the school while talking to them which was very fun.

After lunch, we went to Bled and walked along the lake that is located there. We learned that the difference between lake Bohinj and Lake Bled is that the water in lake Bled doesn’t change the water the same way it does in lake Bohinj. There’s no new water getting in or out, which results in the lake change the water three times in ten years, compared to lake Bohinj that changes water three times in one year. We also got a lesson about an invasive species in the lake. The name of the species is Dreissena polymorpha and it is a clam. From the beginning, it comes from Russia and Ukraine. Humans, birds and other species are spreading larvae to other ecosystems. This clam is the most common invasive species in the world.

Now we are back at the hotel and have eaten dinner. It was a long day, full of interesting new things, both fascinating facts and wonderful environment. You will hear from us again on Saturday!

Paulin and Sanna

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