The IMW Kranjska Gora was the very first EESTEC event I ever participated in. When I arrived at the train station and met the other LC Zurich members, I was a bit worried about how openly they welcomed newcomers and whether I would feel included.
But that worry didn’t last long. After we departed and reached the first bigger stop, almost everyone poured out of the train, formed a circle, blasted some questionable music from a huge speaker, and started dancing. The mood stayed like this for the entire train ride. I could just walk from compartment to compartment, sit down anywhere, and I would be welcomed immediately. But be warned: do not expect to sleep much on that train.
When we arrived in Ljubljana, I went coffee-hopping and thrifting with a small group, and of course we ate the famous Börek. Some would argue that it’s already a tradition. Later that day we met all the other LCs in a park. There I caught my first real glimpse of what IMW would be like: people who hadn’t seen each other for ages hugging, laughing, drinking (a lot), and acting like no time had passed. Eventually we boarded the bus to Kranjska Gora, where two out of three hotels were entirely reserved for us. After a quick dinner, the first themed party began. To be honest, I don’t remember much aaaaaand the parts I do remember probably shouldn’t be written down.
The next morning, after a heavy night, another tradition awaited: Lake Jasna. We all gathered at the lakeside and jumped in. The moment I touched the water, I was already climbing back out. Some brave souls seemed unfazed, but I guess beer does help. In the evening, of course, the next themed party followed.
The following day we relaxed in a waterpark until our train back home arrived. Let’s just say the train ride was… eventful. Our entire wagon didn’t have any lights for an hour, and at some point a tallyman looked at us, shrugged, and said: “Der Zug is am Oarsch.” We eventually had to do an emergency stop in a small village called Villach, where our hotel was paid for.
When we finally arrived in Zurich the next day, tired, half-slept and still laughing about everything that had gone wrong, it hit me how strange and amazing the whole trip had been. I had started this journey unsure if I would fit in and ended it surrounded by people who felt like I had known them forever. Maybe that’s what IMW really is: chaos, no sleep, questionable decisions, and somehow one of the warmest welcomes you can get. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade any of it.
