Country-specific practical advice…

When people have come from different countries, we have asked them to give some advice on how to apply to come to Slovenia. We also have a selection of Frequently Asked Questions for you to browse, if your country is not listed. If you are seriously considering Go Slo and haven’t done so yet, please also feel free to contact us.

Liz’s Advice

From Melbourne Uni to Ljubljana – Spring/Summer 2013

Citizenship: Joint UK/Australia

Before you arrive:

1. Go to the University of Ljubljana website for info on faculties and who to contact. Use this page to find out potential courses, or email the contact person.
2. Work out ECTS credits needed. 30 ECTS usually =1 semester’s worth in Aus, but that usually means 6 subjects which is quite a struggle (most Erasmus students I knew did 5. Think about doing less subjects to free up time for ZVEŠ/other stuff.)
3. Find out exact subject descriptions, including assessment details (may need to email the Professor)
4. Send details of subjects to department coordinators at home uni, to get their approval. Before you do this, you might need to complete a form with home uni indicating your intention to Study Abroad.

Below 2 steps are completed at around the same time:

1. Contact faculty you want to study at in Ljubljana (using details on that webpage). They will send you an enrolment form to complete. Send them proof of your enrolment at your home university (e.g. statement of enrolment). If you want to study at 2 faculties you need to be primarily enrolled in one, and ask about their process for doing a subject with another faculty. (We were known as freemovers (not on exchange))
2. Complete exchange or study abroad application with home uni. Check the process at home university, but if study abroad, only required to submit final application around 8 weeks before leaving (with exchange, around 6 months before). Another benefit of Study Abroad is that you may not have to pay fees for your subjects (depending on which faculty you’re in. Arts (Filozofska) and Science = no fees, Social Science (FDV) = fees, but about 330 euros/subject (less than in Aus, but no government loan). Only had to pay fees when I arrived in Ljubljana.
3. Need to apply for a visa if non-EU (I can’t help with this, sorry!)
4. Apply for Insurance (Home University often gives you free Insurance)
5. Send an email to intern.office@uni-lj.si (Helena Štuhec) to ask if you can stay in the student dorms (officially, not meant to be able to stay there if not EU Erasmus students but Sarah and I (and many non-EUers) were able to stay there) Around 100 euros/month, price differs depending on which dorm you stay in, but that will only be organised at the dorm office (in Rožna Dolina) when you arrive in Ljubljana. Shared rooms (2 to a room)

When in Slovenia:

1. When you arrive in Ljubljana, go to each faculty you are doing subjects with (go to the International Office, if they have one) to register/ collect materials etc. Bring passport!
2. If ‘study abroad’/freemover, go to ŠOU office to get student card (need passport photos), free sim card, and then register phone number for the student coupon system
3. Go to Dorm Office to arrange accommodation
4. Register with Department for Aliens (Fill out form – need passport photos- , bring passport, proof of residence, EMSO number (should be given to you by your faculty), travel insurance document that clearly states you are covered in Slovenia. We had to email our university insurance to ask them to put ‘worldwide cover, including Slovenia’ on the document)
5. Go to the transport office to get the student Urbana transport card.

Phew. Good Luck!

Christine’s Advice (In English)

5 Steps to GO SLO with Erasmus!

Important: Start at least 1 semester before your planned departure with the preparations as universities (also) work SLO.

1.Find partner universities

A list of partner universities, the number of places for exchange and a contact person are usually listed on the Website of the international office of your university. There you also find all information about the application procedure, which varies slightly from uni to uni. If you have open questions ask staff directly – they are usually thrilled you want to go abroad, especially if it’s not a common country to go, like Slovenia.

2.Application at your home university

At each partner university there are usually 2-3 places for exchange students. If you choose a country which is common to go to for students there is competition for these places. The election procedure is individual at each university, so get information via the contact person. If you chose an unknown treasure like Slovenia a talk with the contact person at your uni might be sufficient and you got the place.

3.Application at your Host University and Learning Agreement

Application means simply filling out some forms with your data and answer questions about your studies so far. The Learning Agreement contains the list of courses you plan to take at your host universities. You have to list enough courses to gather 30 ECTS per semester. If you actually gather less, it’s no problem as long as you get more than 10 ECTS – with less you have to pay back the scholarship money. If you want to get lectures accredited at your home university, ask your professors about the requirements to avoid disappointment.

4.Private Preparations

Gather information about the country and the people and try to make connections before your arrival e.g. via the IFES network or Facebook. Provide for your living. The Erasmus scholarship is helpful, but usually not enough to cover your complete costs. Your international office might have some advice how to get extra support for your time abroad.

5.Finally there

You’ll quickly get to know a lot of Erasmus students from a variety of countries at your host university. If you really want to get to know the people of your host country you have to look for contacts out of this community actively. Make friends among the uni colleagues, visit a church, get involved at the university … Learn the language as well as possible. It shows respect to the locals and even a few sentences are a door opener, even if people might laugh about your pronunciation at first.

Frequently Asked Questions