Every New Word Is a Bridge – UCL Slovene with Milan Šelj

I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Milan Šelj to #UCLSSEES to meet my wonderful Lower Intermediate Slovene group.

Milan shared poems from his collection Rime na veter, transporting us to the rugged beauty of the Karst. Suddenly, birds found their rhythm, stones had stories to tell, and the Karst landscape came alive through poetry.

We also read moving excerpts from War Is Different When It Has a Human Face, reflecting on the experiences of Ukrainian refugees and the quiet comfort that linguistic closeness can bring. Sometimes languages overlap just enough to remind us that understanding begins long before perfect fluency.

The session was full of thoughtful discussion, curiosity, and laughter—the kind of class where everyone leans in because they genuinely want to be part of the conversation.

Moments like these remind me that learning Slovene, or any language, is never only about grammar, declensions, or verb aspects. It’s about discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and finding pieces of yourself in someone else’s story. Every new word is more than vocabulary; it’s another bridge between cultures and people.

A heartfelt thank you to Milan for inspiring us with his words, and an equally heartfelt thank you to my students for continuing this journey with me into a second year. It is a privilege to watch your confidence, curiosity, and love of Slovene grow with every class. ❤️