By Jona Fani (YES 2014-2015, Albania, placed with PAX in De Pere, WI)

The YES alumni community in Albania brought in the New Year with a virtual meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim.  On January 13, 25 YES alumni had the honor of speaking with Ambassador Kim, who recently arrived in Tirana in January 2021 to serve in the position of U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Albania.

Ambassador Kim asked alumni questions about the YES program and their experiences on the exchange program and as alumni.  The alumni participants presented outstanding activities and projects that the YES alumni community has implemented throughout the years. Aleksis Satka (YES 2018-2019, Albania, placed with PAX in Lehi, UT) recited a poem that she wrote for the occasion that highlighted her experience as a “young ambassador” of Albania while in the United States.

All of the alumni in attendance shared stories and experiences from their exchange year on the YES program with Ambassador Kim, who closed with remarks where she shared that she was impressed by the alumni’s demonstrated leadership skills and encouraged them to remain engaged in finding ways to improve their communities.