A Summer of Learning and Adventure: My Journey in Kranj, Slovenia

Written by BJANKA

As you already know from my past blogs, I am a person who loves to have new life experiences so I take every offered opportunity. This is what led me to attend the summer school in Kranj, Slovenia, organized by the Faculty of Organizational Sciences last week.

The summer school program focused on various topics related to digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability in business and society. The lectures were organized perfectly. Every day during the classes we had at least one workshop which was a big help for me to stay focused because I got to be part of discussions and activities where I could use my knowledge and creativity. The openness of the professors to discuss various topics with us finally led me to the answer that I had been searching for the whole past year that answers the question- Should I continue with PhD after I finish my master’s studies even though I see myself in the corporate world in the future (many thanks to the professor who helped me solve that dilemma!). I won’t share the answer here, because, quite frankly, I don’t want to start another debate. I already get enough of those every time I share posts about social issues or raise awareness on certain topics on social media, but feel free to reach out to me on my university email if you are struggling with the same question. 😅

Let’s get back to the program. 😊 The first day we were divided into teams and during the week we worked on a case study focused on how to improve the city of Kranj. I am proud to share that our work was well-received, and my group was awarded first place for our ideas and efforts. 🏆
We also had the opportunity to visit Kovačnica – Business Incubator Kranj, where we learned more about their innovative approach to entrepreneurship and development. If you’re interested in learning more about their initiatives, you can visit Kovačnica’s website. Additionally, we were introduced to the “Smart City of Kranj” project, which focuses on using digital solutions to enhance the city’s infrastructure and services. This experience gave us valuable insights into how technology can play a key role in urban development.

During my time in Slovenia, I had the chance to visit both Ljubljana and Lake Bled, and I was completely captivated by their beauty. My friend and I were enjoying the nature on Lake Bled so much that we lost track of time and ended up running to catch the bus, so if someone saw two girls in white dresses running by the lake, that for sure is not our regular jogging outfit, that part was unplanned cardio for the day.

Last but not least, I had a lovely time in Slovenia. The kindness and warmth of the Slovenian people left me speechless; I had never met such hospitable and polite individuals. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the professors and the Faculty of Organizational Sciences for providing us with this incredible opportunity. The opportunity to make connections with students from around the globe enrichened the experience beyond measure. 🌍

I will remember this summer school and my trip through Slovenia forever – not only for the knowledge and successes but also for the people and the beautiful moments I experienced.