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Welcoming New Alumni to Kosovo

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By Rinë Fetahu, YES 2013-2014, Kosovo, hosted by American Councils in Baton Rouge, LA

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Summer is an exciting period when YES students that finished their exchange year in the U.S. come back to their home communities with many stories to tell and with inspiration to contribute. This year marks the seventh year of the YES program in Kosovo and, with the return of the seven newest alumni, the YES Kosovo alumni community has grown to 50 members, including its first Serb. In order to welcome this new group, alumni organized a three-day re-entry seminar in Prishtina during the first weekend of July.  

The first day of the re-entry was like a reunion for the participants, who had all grown very close during their pre-departure orientation before leaving for the U.S. and through communication during their time on program. At the same time, it was an opportunity for them to meet older alumni and learn more about the alumni community and how to be an active member. The older alumni were drawn in by the energy and stories if the new alumni, and all enjoyed the opportunity to share and bond.

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The second day of the seminar, participants reflected on cultural differences between Kosovo and the U.S., discussed reverse culture shock, and continued their exploration of what it means to be alumni, led by Vullnet Voca (YES ’14), Visar Zeka (YES ’15), and me, Rinë Fetahu (YES ’14).

Alumni spent the third day of the seminar volunteering at a dog shelter in Preluzhe.  Following the activity, while waiting for buses to take them back home, the group eagerly discussed how to organize their next gathering for their next activity, which made me realize that this workshop was not coming to an end, but was the beginning of new friendships, and a continuation of the American experience!


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