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IN S IT E S
ST U DY A B ROA D : SLOV E N IA ASHLEY CASPERSON POTOČNIK, BLA 2019 In February 2018, I left Logan to spend four months studying
led me to learn even more about the local culture and most
landscape architecture in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The Slovenian
importantly the field of landscape architecture. Before moving,
exchange program completely changed my life, and I would
I spent a lot of time researching, networking, and planning out
recommend it to anyone. I learned about design, architecture,
my profession in Slovenia. With the help of Mateja Krugar,
diverse landscapes, and Balkan culture through observation and
a former professor from the University of Ljubljana, I was
personal experience. It was a struggle some days but a complete
connected with the architecture firm OFIS. We corresponded
joy most. I made friends from all over Europe, traveled to nine
via email before graduation, and they offered me a job. After
countries, and fell in love with a local Slovene.
my arrival in Ljubljana, I learned that entry level employment as a landscape architect here is significantly different than in the
Fast forward to May 2019, when I graduated with a group
States. I worked at OFIS as an unpaid intern for a time, and was
of people who had very quickly become family. I know I’m
connected with three other possible jobs. I’m currently waiting
biased, but I think the class of 2019 has a unique type of charm
for a permanent position to open up. Through OFIS I made
and a plethora of stupid jokes that I think I will always miss.
connections that will help me in my job search, such as with a
Immediately following graduation, I left Logan again, but this
non-profit group that works with public open spaces. I am also
time to move to Slovenia for good. I’ve been here now for a
spending my days working at a local plant nursery, where I’m
month, that local who I fell in love with last year now being my
gaining experience with the local plant varieties.
husband. And I couldn’t be happier. I have also recently been reminded about how small Slovenia It is so fun to be back in Ljubljana, riding my bike through the
and the world really is. Through all of the paperwork that I’ve
charming old streets and enjoying the beautiful landscapes and
completely to legally live and work here, I was forced to find
architecture. The opportunity to be here in Slovenia again has
a court-certified Slovene to be my English translator. All of
