Get new skills in Slovakia
Being a foreigner abroad presents a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills. When you are away from the comfort zone of your home country, you can detach yourself from the influence of your friends, society, your daily routine and familiar surroundings. You can start from scratch and further explore and discover your potential within an unfamiliar environment. The hardest part is simply knowing where to start. Slovakia offers a wide variety of courses, classes and workshops to fill your free time and get new skills. However, everything works differently in a foreign country not to mention the language barrier. Luckily, there is now a website where you can easily find all the information you will need on all the educational courses offered in Slovakia.
Photography courses
There are many talented photographers in Slovakia, often working with world-famous artistis from Czech Republic, such as Jan Saudek. Learning to take professional photos in Slovakia is most appealing for landscape photography enthusiasts because of its diverse and dramatic countryside. On the other hand, architecture in the cities presents an interesting contrast of post-communist and modern culture while Slovak villages provide excellent material for people photography. This is particularly true in the times of Easter and Christmas when the locals wear traditional folk costumes and perform various authentic although somewhat peculiar and quirky traditions.
Dancing classes
Slovaks have always been fond of dancing and the country’s rich folklore tradition is best represented by its world known dance ensembles Lucnica and Sluk. You can attend classes of this dynamic and playful dance with highly experienced local teachers or learn to play traditional Slovak wooden music instruments such as shepherd’s flute or ragman’s whistle. There is also a wide array of dance schools offering classes in nearly every style of modern, ethno or classical dance. Thanks to the vibrant Latin community and Slovakians’ passion for Latin culture, the country holds an international salsa congress twice a year and offers a whole assortment of Latino dance courses.
Get fit in Slovakia
Slovakia is a beautiful outdoor destination and a great place to get fit all year round. In winter, you can get a highly qualified snowboard, ski or mountaineer instructor in the snow-capped Tatra Mountains at a fraction of the regular European price. In summer, adrenalin junkies can plunge into water skiing or wakeboarding lessons at some of numerous Slovakian lakes, learn to rock climb the High Tatras or raft the wildest white water Slovakia has to offer. As the former world champion in ice hockey and a birthplace of Michal Martikán, a two time gold Olympic medallist in white water slalom, Slovakia might be the right place to learn these particular sports. If you feel like splurging, you can also hire a personal fitness trainer to design a programme tailored to your personal needs and interests.
Yoga retreats in Slovakia
The improvement of living standards in Slovakia has come hand in hand with an increasing interest in healthy lifestyle. This triggered off the establishment of new yoga centres and emergence of more alternative therapy teachers. The yoga centres usually cover classes of tai chi, meditation, nutrition and hold regular weekend workshops on various topics with qualified instructors from all over the world. The yoga teachers are usually equipped with training from India and take the class to a higher level than just physical exercise.
Try out cooking typical Slovak dishes
Let’s face it, Slovakian cuisine is not going to win any health food contests but what Slovakian food lacks in nutrition, it makes up in taste. Learn to cook some of the deliciously hearty meals such as fried cheese, meat dishes with mouth watering sauces and potato dumplings with a special sheep cheese called bryndza that you will only find in this region. Alternatively, if you have a sweet tooth, try your hand at making a poppy seed cake in one of the few countries left in the world where the sale of poppy seed is still blatantly legal. Some of the recipes can be quite complex but if you get the hang of it, your friends will highly appreciate your effort. If not, “you will just have to eat what you cooked” as the deep old Slovak saying goes.
Learn Slovak language
Grasping the local language will get you a higher networking capacity, deeper understanding of the local culture with its intricate history and most importantly, the ability to examine the success of locals’ jokes. Choose from a variety of Slovak language institutes that offer intensive programmes as well as regular weekly classes or get a private Slovak teacher to suit your own schedule.
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