My Host family
I feel incredibly fortunate to have stayed with such a wonderful host family, an experience that truly became the heart of my journey. My gratitude goes far beyond words, reaching not only my actual host, Andreja, but also her lovely family: her mother, Evelina, who treated me with the same unconditional affection she would show her own child, and her sister, Goda, who was remarkably friendly and welcoming from the very first night I stepped through their door. Andreja acted like a true sister to me, perfectly balancing that “annoying” role of waking me up every single morning with a deeply thoughtful side, always double-checking to ensure I had everything I needed for the day ahead. With all three of them, I shared both humorous and profound conversations that often stretched on for hours into the night. These talks led to a significant lack of sleep for everyone, but they created the kind of soul-deep memories I will truly cherish for the rest of my life.
During this week, I lived in a beautiful wooden villa that exuded an immediate sense of warmth and rustic comfort. I can still vividly picture the stone driveway where the car was parked, with its ancient cracks beautifully embedded with vibrant green moss, making the ground look like a living tapestry. To enter, you climbed a sturdy wooden staircase that led to the front door. Inside, the architecture was open and inviting; the kitchen and living room were combined into one spacious area that served as the hub of our daily life, while the sleeping quarters were tucked away on the second floor. My room was exceptionally cozy and boasted what I consider the best view in the house. Every morning upon waking, I was greeted by an astonishing vista of the thick forest; it was so peaceful that I even managed to spot a few local birds hopping between the branches.
I wasn’t the only student being hosted in this magical place; I shared the house with Barborka, a very kind girl from Slovakia. Initially, she seemed quite shy and quiet, but as the days went on—and especially after our Erasmus experience concluded and we kept in touch—I realized that behind that reserved exterior hides a truly friendly, funny, and warm person. There was also a dog in the house named Muse; she was incredibly sweet, though our busy schedule meant I mostly only saw her during our hurried mornings before heading out.
Every part of the day felt special and unique. I loved the mornings when we walked to school through the forest on muddy trails; they made me feel like I was stepping directly into a fantasy world or a classic fairy tale. Whether it was the late afternoons when we needed a ride home, going out with friends, or simply sharing a meal, I was treated as one of their own. It never felt like I was a random stranger who had simply walked into their home on a Sunday night; instead, it felt as if I had grown up among them.
For that, I will be forever grateful to my host family. When it is finally my turn to host a student in the future, I am surely going to return the favor with all my heart. This isn’t just because of the famous Italian tradition of hospitality, but mainly because I have come to understand that the true spirit of Erasmus is about sharing. Just as I received such immense kindness and openness, I feel a beautiful responsibility to give that same experience back to someone else, keeping the cycle of international friendship alive.
Roberto
