What does the first step towards student life in Slovenia look like? We tried to answer this question through the event "Meet Student Slovenia," which we organized on September 18, 2023, at the NLB Gallery in Skopje. The atmosphere was full of excitement – more than 100 future students and their families came with the same feeling: a desire to discover what awaits them where they will start their new chapter.
What lies behind student life in Slovenia?
Instead of dry information, students had the opportunity to hear real stories – from those who are already walking the same path. Students from Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper talked about their challenges, first impressions, funny situations, and moments when community support was crucial. And the audience? They absorbed everything with great attention, because exactly those questions that are never written in brochures – here they received honest answers.
Voices that inspire
Our members Kiara Lazić, Angel Naumov, Klimentina Čapovska, and Igor Arsov appeared on stage – each with their own story, their own faculty, their own city. Together with moderator Leon Šumanski and host Vasil Hanџiski, they transformed the panel into a real conversation that felt more like a friendly get-together than a formal discussion. They talked about exams, new friendships, life in student dorms, and how important it is not to give up even when things seem hardest.
Behind the scenes – our supporters
The event would not have been possible without the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in North Macedonia, NLB Bank Skopje, Capital Financial Center, Dijag, and Radio MOF. But the real strength came from MSOS members in preparing the event and the students with their questions, their energy, and their curiosity.
At the event, we received significant support and assistance from Melita Sekulovska in organizing the space and Aleksandar Popovski in designing the organization's website. We sincerely thanked them for their dedicated work, as well as the event coordinator, Lea Janačkovska, who made this event extraordinary.
With the help of Dijag doo company, we prepared two plaques for the Embassy and NLB Bank as a sign of gratitude for all the help and support they provided.
Why was it special?
Because this event was not just another presentation. It was a hand extended to future students – a message that they are not alone, that a community is already waiting for them. Some left with new friends, others with concrete answers to questions that had bothered them for months. But everyone left with the same feeling: that Slovenia is no longer an unknown place, but a new home where they will be part of something bigger.
“The event was a 'game changer' for me because I finally got information that really helped me get to know student Slovenia instead of just another pile of brochures. The panel was great, relaxed, with talks about the best places to go out, days stuck in the library, life in student dorms, and the classic 'I overslept before the exam' story... P.S. And the networking, the networking was top – no awkward silence.”
Practical advice first-hand
A special moment of the event was the address by the Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in North Macedonia, Mr. Martin Glazar. He briefly presented the most important steps of the process for obtaining a temporary residence permit – one of the biggest concerns and challenges for all foreign students in Slovenia. In this way, future students gained a clearer picture of what awaits them and how to more easily deal with administrative procedures.
For those who were not physically present with us
Not everyone managed to be present in the hall, but that's why we made sure no one was left without this experience. We broadcast the event live through our Facebook page, and the recording is still available. If you want to experience the atmosphere and hear the stories first-hand, you can watch the entire event at this link here.
See you in Slovenia!
With "Meet Student Slovenia 2023," we managed to extend a hand to new students and show them that an exciting journey full of new friendships, challenges, and successes awaits them. We sincerely hope that next time we will meet right there – in the lecture halls, student dorms, and on the streets of Ljubljana, Maribor, and Koper.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our partners and friends, to whom we extend our immense gratitude:
- Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in North Macedonia (partner)
- NLB Bank Skopje (main sponsor and patron)
- Capital Financial Center (sponsor)
- Dijag doo (sponsor)
- Radio MOF (media partner)
Thanks to everyone who was part of this event – and to future students, we say: your story in Slovenia is just beginning, and we are here to be a part of it.
