The project was initiated in January 2020, and the first exchange was supposed to take place in November that same year. However, the Covid-19 pandemic happened and threw the world into disarray. Therefore, we kept pushing back and postponing out first exchange, all the while knowing that there is no option of terminating the project. Finally, we mustered the courage – as entrepreneurs should! – and organized our first exchange in Gimnazija Novo mesto from 8 to 12 November, having already extended the project for one year.
24 students are participating in the exchange and 8 teachers. From Estonia, there are 6 students and 2 teachers, from Ireland also 6 students and 2 teachers. From the host school – Gimnazija Novo mesto – there are 12 students and 4 teachers organizing and hosting the meeting. Many of the Slovenian Students are hosts to the Irish and Estonian guests, some of our students are hosting two guest students. We owe them a great Thank You for the endeavor!
From day one, the project groups were in full swing, working, getting to know the basics of entrepreneurship, and getting acquainted with the beauties of Slovenia. The Covid-19 epidemic is still here, still taking its toll. Despite this, life must go on, and so must our project.
We are sad that the exchange ends on 12 November. However, we have made new friends and achieved all our goals. So we must say at this stage – good-bye Novo mesto, looking forward to Estonia in February 2022!
Janez Gorenc
