A teen dancing off to the world

They all know me as a laughing blonde dancer. They know me for dance performances and shows. In 2012 I danced in the show Odsevi by superb Maribor choreographer Mojca Ussar. In 2013 I got the prize at the competition of dancing miniatures for young OPUS, for the best miniature performance. During the summer of 2014 I’ve represented Slovenia, along with Vito Vybihal at the international dance contest in Portugal Dance World Cup, where we finished 15th. 

The primary reason was, I wasn’t accepted to the desired dance academy in Amsterdam. The second reason was that I missed the academy by one point. I’ve worked the whole September and October as a waitress in a café, but said to myself – I can’t take a whole year of this. I started looking for a family and a nice family with four children took me in.

My initial purpose was to join the family to teach the children English. So I get up at 8 and when some of the children go to school at 9 I take one hour to teach the other children English, as I’m the only one who speaks the language in the family. The mornings and weekends are free and that’s when I dance or train dancing. I want to train a lot and plan some auditions. I found a dancing school that offers - 'All you can dance', so I get 3-4 trainings a day. In Slovenia there’s no way I could do that.

I learned Spanish in high school for 4 years, where I had (lucky for me) a good teacher. In three months I was able to handle the language. As for the Spanish culture, I think I was born to live in Spain. The warm Mediterranean climate, the always warm and strong sun and when you look up there’s blue sky… I feel great and radiant. 

No regrets, not at all! The more I think about it, the happier I feel that I was forced to look for an alternative. It’s one of the best things that’s happened to me. I found one thing that has broadened my horizons. I got to know the Spanish family really well and their habits. If I’d go to study Spanish in Slovenia there’s no chance I could ever get this knowledge. I wouldn’t experience, feel anything for myself. Others may tell you what it’s like, but personal experience cannot be surpassed. If I had to, I’d do it all again. I was also thinking about England, but I’m happy with Spain, with the sun and heat. England would be much different.

Well there’s should be no pressure to do it. But the idea should be more accepted. The people should welcome such opportunities as equal to entering university or even a better choice. Some think my experience is worth less, because they see me working instead of being studying. There is some prejudice about it. Our society should be more supportinve in this respect. Abroad it’s common practice to take a year off to decide what to do with your life. You need to think about the future. There are many advantages, as you get knowledge and experience you can’t get in school and you get to learn about life, as your parents are not there anymore and you need to do things for yourself. There’s a huge wave of kids coming out of high school in Slovenia, not knowing what to do – and I was like them. I even went to my high school (gimnazija) because was the most general school leaving open the most study options later on – because I didn’t know what I want out of my life. And graduating I still had no idea what I wanted. This year is a year of life decisions I want to make, to reflect on myself and what I want to do without the school system being involved. I think it’s worth a lot more than getting my diploma a year earlier. The downside is, you need what this year means to you. It’s the only real downside. Some are just unimaginative and might even waste such a year.

It’s priceless! You get a great experience. Living in Ljubljana can also give you a new experience, but going abroad and realizing they still place you in Yugoslavia… you start thinking. It’s a unique experience to go outside your environment, where you grew up. You get a new view on your life, your family, your friends and the system you live in. You see who you really miss and realize what is and what is not irreplaceable in your life.

I remember one I love to share. I was going to audition in Amsterdam for 4 days. I had a reservation at the hostel for 2 days, and I didn’t know what to do for the next two days. I couldn’t find anything. So I got on a plane to Amsterdam without knowing where I’ll sleep for half of my stay. My colleague knew two girls in Amsterdam, so I ended up in centre on the city with all the locals, in a two story student apartment. It was cool I could have been out on the street.

I have a very serious decision to make. Will I go and study or will I dance? If I go dancing there’s no guarantee I’ll have a job later on and there’s a lot of money and time I’d have to dedicate to it. If I decide to study, I’ll have to make a choice will it be in Slovenian or abroad and to be honest nothing is really attracting me to return. Worst case scenario, I’d go to study in Slovenia and use mobility models to go abroad as an exchange. There’s no dream destination I’d prefer. I’ll go where the opportunity presents itself.

It’s a great experience, but you need to be really careful as well. Not every experience is a good or pleasant one. My experience is good, but I’ve heard really nasty stories from others as well. I got along with the family perfectly! The love to help out and really respect me. I’m an Au-Pair, which means I take care off and teach children. When you decide for it, you mustn’t think of going to Madrid, but you’re going to live with family that you need to get along with. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Madrid, London or in the middle of nowhere. 

If you decide to come to Madrid, though, Ema Žurej will gladly take you around the city :).