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Kosovo Welcomes New YES Alumni

Kosova Behar Sharing Yes Alumni Projects

By Behar Bunjaku (YES 2017-2018, Kosovo, hosted by CIEE in Palestine, TX)

A re-entry seminar for 7 newly returned YES Alumni in Kosovo was held on July 19th, led by Alumni Coordinator Visar Zeka (YES 2014-2015, hosted by AYUSA in Prosper, TX) with the help of Behar Bunjaku (YES 2017-2018, hosted by CIEE in Palestine, TX). The sessions started off with the amazing stories that the new alumni shared about their exchange year, after talking about what has changed, alumni had the chance to meet the Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo during lunch who shared with them a lot of opportunities in terms of different sources and grants from the U.S. Embassy that they could use for their future projects. The Alumni Panel tried to give a better understanding of the Alumni Community in Kosovo through presentations about their projects. CR of Vushtrri Behar Bunjaku, shared some of her activities that she did as a CR in her hometown as well as some of the annual YES alumni projects, which inspired the new alumni to come up with new project ideas. After sharing the main issues they want to tackle in their communities, the new alumni even started writing their first project proposals. Having realized how the YES Program has been a life changing experience, the new alumni summed up their day by distributing promotional brochures for the YES Program, which has also marked the first community service activity they have done as YES Alumni.  

Kosova Re Entry Community Service

All sessions were engaging and fruitful, and through feedback forms alumni claimed:

"I found how to have an impact back home session useful because that's the one I am looking forward to the most."

"I found reverse cultural shock session very helpful because it helped me realize now to deal with everything that's happening now."

"Project planning was the most helpful session to me because it helped me speak out about project ideas and relate to other alumni"

Fitting several topics, from sharing bits of their exchange year to planning their first projects, in a day seemed quite far-fetched in the beginning for the new alumni participating in the seminar, but by the end of the day everyone left with brilliant ideas in their minds and a strong desire to serve their community.

The new alumni who participated re-entry seminar are: Agullina Shllaku (YES 2018-2019 hosted by AYA in Minnetonka, MN), Blerim Morina (YES 2018-2019 hosted by PAX in Pexley, OH),  Edona Lubovci (YES 2018-2019 hosted by American Councils in Burleson, TX), Leke Beqa (YES 2018-2019 hosted by ACES in Cottonwood, CA), Lisa Ramizi (YES 2018-2019 hosted by Aspect in Port Orchard, WA), Rijad Cerkini (YES 2018-2019 hosted by PAX in Manistique, MI), Nora Jusufi (YES 2018-2019 hosted by ASSE in Westminster, MD).


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