Na vysokoškolské izbe, pod oknom, kde listy stromov vonku menili farbu na oranžovú a červenú, sa začínala jeseň.

In the college dorm room, under the window where the leaves of the trees outside were changing color to orange and red, autumn was beginning.

Milan nervózne vkročil do malej izby, ktorú mal zdieľať s niekým cudzím.

Milan nervously stepped into the small room he was to share with a stranger.

Izba bola útulná, ale trochu stiesnená, so starými plagátmi na stenách a nábytkom každý z iného súdka.

The room was cozy but a bit cramped, with old posters on the walls and furniture from different sets.

Zuzana, jeho spolubývajúca, už sedela na posteli a usmievala sa.

Zuzana, his roommate, was already sitting on the bed and smiling.

„Ahoj!

"Hi!

Ty si určite Milan,“ povedala sebavedomo.

You must be Milan," she said confidently.

Milan prikývol a odložil batoh.

Milan nodded and put down his backpack.

Bol prvák, zatiaľ čo Zuzana bola už druháčka a vyznala sa vo všetkom, čo sa týkalo vysokoškolského života.

He was a freshman, while Zuzana was already a sophomore and knew her way around everything related to college life.

„Neboj sa, Milan.

"Don't worry, Milan.

Je to tu super.

It's great here.

Ak potrebuješ niečo vedieť, len sa pýtaj,“ ponúkla sa Zuzana.

If you need to know anything, just ask," Zuzana offered.

Milan pocítil úľavu, ale zároveň aj tlak, aby sa ukázal v tom najlepšom svetle.

Milan felt relief but also pressure to make a good impression.

Prvý deň semestra ubiehal pomaly.

The first day of the semester passed slowly.

Milan si prial urobiť dobrý dojem, ale v prítomnosti sebavedomej Zuzany sa cítil nenápadne.

Milan wished to make a good impression, but in the presence of confident Zuzana, he felt inconspicuous.

V izbe prevládal pokojný študentský ruch, zatiaľ čo vonku jemne šumeli listy padaním na zem.

The room was filled with a calm student buzz, while outside, the leaves softly rustled as they fell to the ground.

„Hovorila si, že sa tu koná debatný klub, že?

"You mentioned there's a debate club here, right?"

“ spýtal sa Milan večer.

Milan asked in the evening.

Zuzana prikývla.

Zuzana nodded.

„Áno, a ty by si tam mal ísť!

"Yes, and you should go!

Pomôže ti to nadviazať kontakty,“ povzbudila ho.

It will help you make connections," she encouraged him.

Hoci bol Milan nesmelý, rozhodol sa.

Although Milan was shy, he decided to go for it.

Potreboval vyjsť z vlastného komfortu.

He needed to step out of his comfort zone.

Druhý deň šiel na stretnutie debatného klubu.

On the second day, he went to the debate club meeting.

Keď sa začalo stretnutie, Milan nervózne sledoval, ako jeden študent po druhom prezentovali svoje témy.

As the meeting started, Milan nervously watched as students presented their topics one by one.

Na konci Milan váhal, ale potom zdvihol ruku.

In the end, Milan hesitated but then raised his hand.

„Chcem prezentovať tému o ochrane životného prostredia,“ prekvapil všetkých, vrátane seba samého.

"I want to present a topic on environmental protection," he surprised everyone, including himself.

Jeho odvaha sa mu vyplatila.

His courage paid off.

Prezentoval svoje názory a argumenty jasne a s presvedčením.

He presented his views and arguments clearly and convincingly.

Ľudia z klubu boli ohromení, vrátane Zuzany, ktorá počúvala z publika.

The people in the club were impressed, including Zuzana, who was listening in the audience.

Po skončení debaty prišla k nemu a usmiala sa.

After the debate ended, she came to him and smiled.

„Bolo to skvelé, Milan!

"That was great, Milan!

Som na teba hrdá,“ povedala úprimne.

I'm proud of you," she said sincerely.

Bola to chvíľa, keď si Milan uvedomil, že jeho snaha sa oplatila.

It was a moment when Milan realized that his effort was worth it.

Získal nielen rešpekt spolužiakov, ale aj priateľstvo Zuzany.

He gained not only the respect of his classmates but also Zuzana's friendship.

V nasledujúcich týždňoch sa stal Milan sebaistým, nebál sa vyjadriť svoje názory a myšlienky.

In the following weeks, Milan became confident, unafraid to express his opinions and thoughts.

Pomaly sa cítil ako súčasť kampusu, kde stromy naďalej menili farby v rytme jesene, a kde jeho nová kapitola začínala.

He slowly felt like part of the campus, where the trees continued to change colors in the rhythm of autumn, and where his new chapter was beginning.

Milan pochopil, že práve odvaha prekonať svoje obavy mu otvorila cestu k novým možnostiam a priateľstvám.

Milan understood that the courage to overcome his fears opened the way to new opportunities and friendships.