Among 42 pupils from 14 countries spending their summer vacation in learning Slovenian in Bohinj, there were also Nikša Perušić from Banjaluka and Nevena Gačić from Teslić.
They socialised with their peers and enjoyed numerous activities during and after the lessons. The summer school of Slovenian for children and youth of Slovenian origin, living abroad, was organised by the Institute for Education of the Republic of Slovenia and Centre for School and Extracurricular Activities.
It was rather lively from 30 July to 11 August 2017 in the Centre for School and Extracurricular Activities in Bohinj. Beside the pupils from abroad there were also Slovenian children spending their summer holidays there. Sport and recreational activities and excursions to nature were organised for everyone. Pupils had the opportunity to get familiar with the vicinity, and on Sunday they went on excursion to the Postojna Cave and Ljubljana. The Summer school was run by Eva Jurman from the Institute for Education of the Republic of Slovenia and Dušan Blažin from the Centre for School and Extracurricular Activities. It was co-financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia.
Pupils from all over the world learned Slovenian in the morning divided into five groups. Teachers prepared interesting materials for fun lessons. There were different activities so that four school lessons passed by quickly. In the afternoon and evening it was also interesting to the children as they could try themselves in archery, climbing and circus skills, take a canoe ride, swim in the Bohinj Lake and explore sights in the vicinity.
For the youth of Slovenian origin living abroad, there are six summer schools or camps organised in Slovenia, some last for one week, others two but pupils and students come back from all of them filled with beautiful memories and new friends and, of course, with improved Slovenian.
Barbara Hanuš
