Our mid term training

My training Experience

The Midterm Training (Walking Edition) took place from June 29th to July 3rd. We met in Kozina, setting out for Ankaran—a route that typically takes 5 hours to walk. Proudly, we took 5 days to complete it.

The first day was a gentle introduction to what lay ahead; we trekked alongside roads and through patches of forest, took a shortcut across a field, and finally arrived at our hostel for the first two nights. By the time we reached our destination, we were drenched in sweat and the last thing on anyone’s mind was food. Yet, we were served the most immaculate truffle pasta human taste buds have ever experienced. Despite the tropical heat, I managed three portions, plus the tiramisu for dessert. Following our mandatory post-meal nap, we began the first session of the midterm. After reviewing the schedule, establishing our group rules, and completing three hilarious challenges, we had a unique encounter: a meeting with horses—wild horses, to be exact.

We were introduced to our trainers Neja and Boris, and their friendly dog, who welcomed us into their little oasis. Across the billions of hectares of the karst edge land, the horses roamed freely. We practiced mindfulness exercises, walking with our eyes closed or observing the intricate details of our surroundings, while the horses curiously peeked over the wire fence. Then the real fun began. After a few initial attempts to approach them, some of the horses came close and let us pet their soft noses. After getting acquainted, we were asked to choose one horse to connect with more deeply; by projecting grounding, inviting energy, we successfully drew them in. The trainers taught us how to lead the horses, which proved to be an incredible experience. Guiding them was intense—there was some initial tension—but after a few well-placed scratches and more precise leading, we reached our final spot and reflected on our collective “horse-girl” moment. Afterward, we caught a ride back in a truck and enjoyed another fantastic dinner.

The next day, we set out on a round-trip hike, using the time to evaluate our ESC experiences and what we had learned so far. A midday picnic gave us the energy to hike back. Once home, we petted the cat one last time and held a final debriefing session regarding our hosting organizations.

By the fourth day, with slightly sore backs and plenty of mosquito bites, we hiked to a volunteer organization that supports the Piran region. They handle everything from moving furniture and building walls to assisting on local farms and clearing trash. Our visit left us all inspired with big dreams and visions for a better world. The bunny we petted there (Fluffy) was just a bonus, along with—you guessed it—more amazing truffle pasta and dessert.

The official “hiking evaluation” really put us to the test. Already exhausted, we dragged ourselves over the second-to-last mountain toward our hostel near Ankaran. Dinner that evening was a very interesting bean soup, served with a block of raw smoked tofu for the vegetarians. It was certainly unique, but we were kept company by a cat. The cat actually joined us the next morning at the same bistro for breakfast and even walked with us for a good portion of our first uphill route. The final day of hiking drained every last bit of our energy, but we arrived happily at our destination in Ankaran.

After a big lunch, we moved into our luxury apartments, complete with a pool—a well-deserved relaxation for our sore bodies. We held our final evaluations and discussions at the hotel, focusing on our future plans and how to apply everything we’ve learned. Leaving Ankaran, we packed up our experiences (and our sore feet) and headed to Ljubljana to conclude our ESC journey.

It was truly an amazing and transformative experience that I’ll hold onto for a long time. I feel so grateful for the connections made, the lessons learned, and all the wonderful moments we shared together.