Perception of the host university and country
When I arrived at the University of Primorska, I felt very welcome and was impressed by the warm welcome, the infrastructure, and the motivation of all members of the university — teachers, researchers, administrative staff and students — to keep progressing.
There were several things that surprised me, but perhaps what surprised me the most was that almost all Slovenians speak English very well. Teachers, researchers, administrative staff, students, people in restaurants — everyone speaks English fluently.

Memories
When it comes to memories, I have learned to be grateful for every experience, and my experience at the University of Primorska gave me many reasons to be grateful and to remember it with pleasure. So, it is difficult to choose just one moment as the best one.
I was happy to teach a football course for the first time. I was happy to see the students’ smiles at the end of the class.

I enjoyed the warmth of the people. I was happy to meet and exchange with people from four continents. I enjoyed the colourful architecture of the city. I was happy to watch every sunset and the reflection of the moon on the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea.
All these elements form a whole that I cannot separate and that I will always remember with pleasure.

Professional outcome and impact
The mobility brought me many things, both personally and professionally.
First of all, mobility allows you to discover a new culture, to see different perspectives and different ways of solving problems. I was able to observe different teaching approaches and different ways of managing.

The mobility made me more empathetic. It forced me to adapt more quickly — and to combine my theoretical knowledge of cultural intelligence with reality. It helped me improve my English, think and speak more quickly in a foreign language, use some of my Portuguese and Spanish, learn a few words in Slovenian, and make connections with new people.

With my Slovenian colleagues, we discussed new ideas for courses and curricula, and we started talking about possible research collaborations in sport event management.
And honestly, the biggest benefit was what happened in my head.

Because when you work at another university, in another country, with people who may approach things differently… you start questioning your own way of thinking.

You start asking yourself:
“Why do I think my way of solving a problem is the only way — or the best way?”
And this is where I see the real value of mobility.
It opens your mind. Sometimes, you don’t need to change the problem.
You just need to change your point of view.
I will also be able to use this experience in my teaching within the International Management Master’s programme at IAE Saint-Étienne.

I strongly encourage colleagues and students to take advantage of Erasmus mobility opportunities, and I am looking forward to experiencing future mobilities.