Hello you all! My name is Sophia and I am 18 years old. After graduating from high school this summer, I left my beautiful hometown in southwest Germany to build a new home here in the amazing city of Skopje. I am very interested in exploring everything possible about this special place in the heart of the Balkans and its people to get a broader picture of Macedonian culture and the society keeping it alive.

Before I dig into the theory of social, political and intercultural relations at university, I first want to experience the reality of these important human connections. Along the way, I am working towards acquiring intercultural competence as well as Macedonian and English language skills and wish to learn how to make an impact in a community in order to pass on this very special gift wherever my future is headed.

If someone would have asked me a year ago, where I imagined I would be right now, the answer probably would not have been Macedonia. But right now, I cannot think of a better place than VCS to not only accomplish my personal goals but also make a difference in a community at the same time.

I am very curious and really excited for all the experiences, encounters and shared learning the upcoming year will bring!

Sophia Abegg

Sending organisation: NaturKultur e.V.