We are beyond proud that our ASEF Visit Slovenia Junior Fellow, generation 2025, Caroline Cupar, also completed her research visit in Slovenia. She is an upcoming fourth-year undergraduate student at The College of Wooster, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Music, who did her research visit at the Educational Research Institute.

In the following, read her portrait. 

An ASEF Fellow’s Perspective: A Story of Two Hearts, One Identity

Caroline Cupar from Cleveland, Ohio, lives with a unique identity that is a beautiful blend of two worlds. As a first- and second-generation Slovenian-American, her life has been shaped by a deep connection to her roots. This has helped her build lasting relationships and cultivate a passion for traditions she otherwise never would have experienced.

All of the family engagements and the desire to preserve Slovenian tradition and culture are, I think, a big thing.

Besides researching in collaboration with the Educational Research Institute, Caroline also engaged in various ASEF activities such as the ASEF Weekend Getaway and ASEF Trip to the Vipava Valley.

Family and Belonging: From Folklore to Lasting Roots

Caroline’s narrative is centered on the profound sense of belonging she found within Cleveland’s Slovenian community. She highlights her active involvement in church life, like St. Mary’s Parish, and with the folklorna skupina Kres. These experiences allowed her to meet numerous friends who shared her background, creating a feeling of connection she describes not as a specific moment, but as an ever-present feeling. “It truly is a feeling,” she says, emphasizing that she found so much belonging in ten friends that she has had from her Slovenian school days.

It’s hard not to depend on them; we’re always there for each other. We never like being separated. I think it’s an interconnected bond, not a specific moment, but a feeling of belonging that we all share through music, dance, and exploring new things together.

Though an only child, Caroline has five cousins in America. She is particularly close with two cousins on her mother’s side; their bond was forged in childhood, having been raised together by their grandparents, and strengthened as they endured the painful loss of their grandparents. This experience brought them even closer. In Slovenia, her family is even larger, as her grandfather, the seventh of eight children from two marriages, had six siblings, leading to a sprawling family tree.

My grandfather was the only one out of all his siblings who had the guts to move away from his family. He didn’t want to take on their family tradition; he wanted to go do what he wanted to do, and I feel that means so much to our family.

Passing Down Wisdom: “Preserve the Language and Culture”

The most significant piece of wisdom passed down from her Slovenian family was the encouragement from her cousins: “Just preserve the language and preserve the culture the best you can and really make memorable experiences with the family members that you have.” 

Though she isn’t yet fluent in Slovenian, Caroline has been learning the language for years, a process that motivates her. Both of her parents speak Slovenian fluently, and she learned a great deal from them and her grandmother. She hopes to pass on the stories of her grandmother’s journey to America, so, as she said, her future children will know where they came from.

Healing the Soul: Psychology and Music

Caroline’s decision to combine her studies in psychology and music is no coincidence. She aims to become a child psychiatrist, a passion born from her own struggles and her observation of anxiety and depression among younger generations. 

I do it because I see such a generation that has so much anxiety and depression.

She believes she can help young people adapt and cope with the challenges of the modern world. Her love for music, a tradition passed down through generations, is a core part of her family heritage. She sees music as a tool for release and healing that can overcome anxiety. “It’s such a release of anxiety,” she notes, emphasizing the profound impact of music on the brain. In her free time, she listens to classical, 80s music, and, of course, Slovenian folk music from artists like Saša Avsenik and Modrijani, which she describes as very nostalgic, because she has listened to them her whole life.

Music has always enriched my life, thanks to my mother and grandmother. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Generations of my family have been singers, so it’s a great honor to continue that tradition. Music is also such a release for my anxiety, and I believe there’s so much more to explore where psychology and music intersect. That’s why music therapy is so important.

The ASEF Fellowship and Personal Growth: Challenges and Discoveries

Caroline’s primary motivation for applying for the ASEF fellowship was both professional and personal. She wanted to gain more experience researching mental health and the impact of social media, but also to learn to grow within herself. 

My personal goal was to experience greater independence and learn to grow within myself. I’ve always depended on people a lot, and at first, it was very hard to take control of situations and manage my own life. That was the best lesson I’ve learned. It was an amazing experience to spend ten weeks there, connecting with my second cousins in person and enriching my whole being.

Her daily routine in Slovenia included writing her research paper in collaboration with the Educational Research Institute, exploring the city, and meeting with family. She noted that Slovenian teenagers are different from their American counterparts.

Slovenian youngsters are very mature for their age, helping out in the kitchen and doing things I do not normally see in America.

Fun facts:

• She finds Slovenia to be a very clean country and values that recycling is more emphasized here. 
• The most unexpected things for her were the lack of public restrooms in grocery stores, the prevalence of stick-shift cars, and the incredibly narrow roads.

What Remains: Memories and Messages

When she thinks of Slovenia, she pictures the mountains, lakes, and the sea, but what she hopes the most is that a single photo would capture all memories with her family.

People make where home is.

She describes Slovenia as her home base, a place she has visited seven times and where she always feels at home, no matter which country she is in. For anyone considering applying for the ASEF fellowship, she has a clear message.

Just enjoy it and really take in every moment, because it goes by really, really fast.And don’t be afraid to explore or to be independent and go places yourself, even though it’s very, very scary.

A Few of Caroline’s Favorite Slovenian Things

Slovenian Dishes:

• Štruklji
• Potica
• Golaž

Slovenian Cities:

• Ljubljana
• Maribor
• Ptuj

We also thank the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad and all ASEF donors for supporting the work of ASEF and our Junior Fellows.