Hello, I’m Hristijan. They say the mountains in Tyrol are high, but for me, the highest point of the summer started before I even landed. Getting to the camp involved my first ever flight. It was a mix of nerves and adrenaline that set the tone for everything to follow. By the time I reached Austria, I was ready for something big, even though I didn't yet know just how much my perspective was about to shift.

The Slow Start and the Late-Night Rituals

The beginning wasn't exactly a movie moment. My group from Macedonia arrived late, so there were no buses left to take us to the site. We had to be picked up by the organizers. By the time we walked in, everyone else had already started getting to know each other. Naturally, we stuck together at first. We were just a small Macedonian group checking out the scene and seeing how things worked.

As we sat down to eat, the atmosphere was so welcoming that it was easy to just blend in. I started talking with different people, and by the end of the meal, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Everyone there was on the same wavelength. That first night, I met my roommate, Samuel, from the Dominican Republic. He was the best roommate I could have asked for. We quickly got into a nightly routine where we’d stay up until 4:00 AM just recapping the day and talking about all the cool people we had met. We would stay up laughing and swapping stories until we realized we had barely left any time to sleep. It was in those quiet, late-night hours that the world started feeling smaller and much more friendly.

Riddles, Frogs, and Alpine Coasters

The first few days were a whirlwind of energy designed to push us out into the world. To get to know the town, we went on a massive scavenger hunt all around Imst. It took us everywhere from the quiet beauty of the Rose Garden to the Town Hall and the local church. We were solving riddles about church bells and performing impromptu dances in the street. It was so fun exploring every corner of the town together. Since one of the girls in our group spoke really good German, we were able to navigate the signs and talk to people easily, which made the whole experience even better. It turned the whole town into our playground.

Then came nature, which was on a totally different scale than I expected. I will never forget the mountain lake in the Alps. It was spectacular but absolutely freezing. There were even tiny mini frogs swimming around us in the water. I remember being in there and feeling like I couldn't get out because the cold was so exhilarating it kept me pinned in place. That same energy followed us to the Alpine Coaster Imst. While we waited for our turn at 3,535 meters, the wait didn't even feel long because we were making jokes and listening to amazing music. It was the perfect example of how the course worked. It was incredibly knowledgeable and serious when it needed to be, but it was also the most fun I’ve ever had.

A Global Feast

The Cultural Evening was easily one of the most vibrant nights of my life. We brought a piece of home to the Alps by sharing Macedonian Ajvar, our traditional roasted red pepper spread, and a snack called Smoki. I loved seeing the table turn into a mosaic of different cultures. I really enjoyed the Tiramisu from Italy and spent a long time looking at the beautiful photos from Finland while trying their chips.

But the absolute highlight for me was the Lebanese Za'atar. It was the tastiest thing I have ever tried in my life. I remember eating it on a cracker and being surprised by the savory, slightly sour flavor of the herbs. It was such a unique and refreshing taste that I couldn’t get enough of it.

After the food, we swapped gifts like we were old friends. My suitcase got heavier with treasures: a koala from Australia, a postcard from Ukraine, a postcard from Russia, and a flag from Lebanon. The night ended in a blur of movement. We learned traditional dances from everywhere. We did the Dabke, the Finnish folk dance, and I felt so much pride leading a huge circle of international friends through the Macedonian Pajdusko.

The Strings That Bind Us

As the two weeks came to a close, things got much more emotional. On the last evening, all 52 of us, including every participant and the organizers, tied ribbons around each other's wrists. While tying the strings, people shared their real, sincere thoughts.

I wanted to make sure everyone felt that same appreciation, so I decided to write a personal note to every single person. I ended up writing about 52 notes in total so that no one was left out. I stayed up making sure everyone got one because I believed every person there deserved to hear something special before we went our separate ways. 

On the final day, we also presented our ideas for post-course projects. Hearing the brilliance of the group was inspiring. I am still working on my research paper about pollution, an idea that grew directly out of the environmental workshops we did in the mountains.

The Hardest Goodbye

Saying goodbye on the last day was incredibly hard. How do you walk away from people who became a family in just fourteen days? These were the best two weeks of my life so far. People were so open and kind, and we grew so close that it felt like we had known each other for years.

I still keep in contact with most of the people from the camp and I miss them constantly. We all wish we could gather again in those mountains. If anyone is reading this and wondering whether they should apply, I recommend it 100%. It is a life-changing experience that doesn't just change your summer; it completely changes your perspective on the world and your place in it.