All Posts

The first week of June was my last week in Ljubljana, and I quickly realized that there is no real way to prepare for leaving a place that has felt like home for four months. I spent much of the week trying to fit in a few more favorite routines while also wondering where the time had gone. The week started with an invitation to give a talk at the Knowledge Technologies Department at the Jožef Stefan Institute. A day later, after one final stop for nails with Christina and a

May 26 through 31 was a mix of returning from Italy, wrapping up Fulbright work, and trying to enjoy the last full days in Ljubljana. After leaving Bari, I had one more reminder that airport food in Italy is not the same as airport food in the United States. The flight back gave me another beautiful view of Italy’s eastern coastline, this time in daylight. I made it back to Ljubljana just in time to see runners passing my apartment for the Students Run to the Castle, a charit

This week started in Ljubljana and ended on the Adriatic coast, which is not a bad way to spend the second half of May. The beginning of the week was still very much business as usual. There were long walks on the east side of the river, quick stops for mali burek, and plenty of time spent working at Stow. One of my favorite things about spring in Ljubljana is seeing the city become an extension of the classroom. As soon as the weather cooperates, teachers move lessons outsid

This week felt a little quieter than some of the previous ones, which was not necessarily a bad thing. There was plenty of work to do, but also time for good conversations, new experiences, and reminders of how welcoming people have been throughout my time in Slovenia. The week started with one of those classic Ljubljana weather moments. I headed up to the castle on what seemed like a perfectly reasonable morning for a walk and spent the last part of the trip racing home as t

This week was a nice mix of work, time outdoors, and enjoying some of the traditions that make spring in Ljubljana such a great time of year. The week began with a walk along the river east of the Dragon Bridge and a visit to the beautiful Plečnik Dam. The second week of the social skills group was underway, and I spent a day teaching at the Faculty of Education in Bežigrad. I also discovered that Stow Coffee was one of the few places in Ljubljana where people regularly work

After a week of afternoon drinks by the river, long dinners, and showing my mom around Ljubljana, this week was about easing back into normal life. Or at least a version of normal life that still involved castle walks and frequent coffee stops. The week also included an incredible day in Vrata Valley with the Fabian family. We had clear views of the Triglav North Face, stopped at Peričnik Falls, and visited the Mountain Museum. I also learned about Jakob Aljaž, who purchased

This week was all about showing my mom around Ljubljana and settling into a slower pace after the busy travel days. We spent our time doing what I have come to appreciate most about this city. We walked. A lot. We wandered through neighborhoods I had not explored yet, crossed bridges without paying attention to where they led, and stopped whenever something looked interesting enough to investigate further. One of our favorite discoveries was the eastern side of the Dragon Bri

This week was a mix of travel, finishing projects, and getting ready for visitors. I started the week with a quick trip to Venice. It was busy, but still easy to see why people love it. I spent time wandering through side streets, crossing more bridges than I could count, and making my way through the major landmarks before finding quieter corners away from the crowds. A visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. Back in Ljubljan

The second week of April was a good mix of work, hiking, and exploring more of Slovenia. I used a car share service for the first time and drove to Šmarna Gora, which was also my first time driving since arriving in Slovenia and my first time driving an electric car. The trip went smoothly and the views were worth it. During the week I also hiked through Tivoli Park and up Rožnik. One of the things I appreciate most about Ljubljana is how easy it is to get outside. Tivoli Par

The end of March brought a quick move downstairs into a smaller apartment now that Tony and Loen had headed home. Thankfully, both apartments have been amazing and the location still feels perfect for this experience. The transition somehow also included my first hair appointment in Slovenia, so it became a day of fresh starts all around. The first days of April settled into a slower pace. I discovered Dobra Vila, a tiny sandwich shop with lines out the door and a woman caref

We kicked off the week with a trip to the seaside and a chance to experience a completely different part of the country. Piran, Slovenia and Trieste, Italy felt slower than the energy of Ljubljana, with beautiful coastal views. The balance between work and adventure continued throughout the week. After mornings at the Institute, there were hikes up Šmarna Gora, long castle walks, bakery stops that somehow became daily traditions, and plenty of time wandering through neighborh

The week finally arrived when Tony and Loen made it to Ljubljana after a long travel day full of delays, missed connections, and a last minute reroute into Zagreb instead of Ljubljana. Somehow, even with cold showers and a broken water heater, the trip still started on a high note with dinner at Pop’s and Loen immediately beginning what became a two-week truffle pasta adventure. The days settled into a mix of work, exploring, and showing Tony and Loen all that I love about th

This week felt more settled and a lot more personal. I spent time walking through the city and kept noticing how often learning happens outside of a classroom. Groups of kids were everywhere, moving through the city with their teachers, writing things down and learning as they went. It made me think differently about what school can look like. Work is starting to feel more real. I am more involved with patients and supervisees now, which has been both challenging and rewardin

Exploring Lake Bled felt like stepping into a fairytale. A small island church rises from the middle of a turquoise alpine lake, surrounded by mountains and forests, while Bled Castle stands dramatically on a steep cliff above the water. From its terraces, the panoramic views are unforgettable. Back in Ljubljana, quieter moments brought new discoveries and a different path to the castle revealed peaceful neighborhoods and beautiful viewpoints. Returning to work also meant ste

I returned to Ljubljana from the mountains just in time to stumble into an unexpected celebration. A stage was being assembled near Town Hall, complete with lights, cameras, and a national broadcast presence. By evening, the square was filled with music and pride as the city welcomed home Slovenia’s Olympians. Watching from my apartment window, I felt lucky to witness such a spontaneous moment of national joy. The week quickly shifted back into professional focus. My work at

After a busy weekend of travel and exploration, I spent the start of the week regrouping and preparing for an important milestone. My first lecture at the Faculty of Education was approaching, and the days were filled with quiet focus, planning, and anticipation. When the morning finally arrived, clear skies revealed mountain views that had been hidden since my arrival. Meeting students who were eager to learn about autism felt both energizing and affirming, marking a meaning

This week marked the true beginning of my Fulbright work. I walked to the Institute of Autism for my first official meetings, reviewing cases with colleagues and preparing to supervise graduate students over the coming weeks. There was something grounding about shifting from orientation mode into professional purpose. The work ahead feels meaningful and collaborative. Outside of work, the city continued to reveal itself in layers. I stepped inside Town Hall on a whim and disc

My first full week in Ljubljana unfolded gently, shaped more by daily rhythms than by major sightseeing. After catching up on sleep, I explored without urgency. I wandered through the city market, climbed to the castle, and discovered neighborhood restaurants along the way. Meals became small cultural lessons, from mushroom soup to my first home cooked dinner made with market ingredients just steps from my apartment. Rain was a steady companion, yet it never slowed the city.

Welcome to 4 months, 3 seasons, 1 suitcase! First day in Ljubljana, Slovenia Fifteen hours of travel has a way of stretching time into something abstract. It starts to get measured less in minutes and more in emotions and gate numbers. I left Cleveland at 2:15 p.m., transferring first in Chicago and then again in Frankfurt, watching the familiar give way to the unknown. Saying goodbye to Tony and Loen at the airport was harder than I expected. The moment felt heavier than my