When he looks back today at four months of work placement at Pixelfarming Robotics, Gaj Jurij Florjančič realises that he returned home not only with new knowledge, but also as a somewhat different person. The Erasmus+ experience brought him not only professional advancement, but also new friendships, a broader view of the world and a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.
One of the major milestones of his work placement was entering the world of development in Unity, where he first seriously encountered programming in C#. This also represented his biggest personal challenge. Understanding the logic of code required time, patience and perseverance, but it was precisely this challenge that became one of the most valuable experiences of his mobility.
Work at the company was not merely technically coloured. The international environment significantly marked his experience. He collaborated with trainees from various countries, such as South Korea, the USA, Vietnam, Turkey and Hungary. Each of them brought their own view of the world, their own ways of thinking and solving problems. It was precisely this diversity that enabled Gaj to gain insight into the breadth of the world, which transcends geographical boundaries and encourages openness to difference.
Life in Almkerk was not limited to work alone. The Erasmus+ experience enabled him to truly live in a new environment. Everyday life was an interweaving of exploration, personal growth and discovering new habits. Living in a foreign country, far from his home environment, placed him before the challenge of independence, where he had to test his own limits and abilities.
Colleagues and mentors at the company also had a special impact on him. Their passion for work and the way they presented complex concepts were contagious. Programming, which initially seemed distant and demanding to him, gradually became even his hobby. That which once seemed difficult to achieve became understandable and interesting through practical experience and a supportive environment.
The experience of living abroad also brought him an important personal realisation. Although in the modern world it often seems that everything is within reach, genuine contact with a different culture reveals its complexity. Confrontation with one's own prejudices and stereotypes was inevitable. Gaj discovered that many notions about other cultures are often simplified or even incorrect. It was precisely this experience that encouraged him towards greater openness and readiness to accept difference.
Upon returning home, feelings are mixed. The familiar environment does bring a sense of security, but the view of it is no longer the same. In addition to improved knowledge in the field of 3D design and the basics of programming, Gaj brings with him an important life lesson – that boundaries are often merely apparent and that the greatest progress occurs when we step out of our comfort zone.
The experience from Almkerk does not end with his return. The hobbies he developed and the friendships that reach across different continents remain part of his everyday life. Erasmus+ mobility opened the door for him to a world that he now sees as diverse, dynamic and full of opportunities.
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Source: Academia (18. 3. 2026). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
