Emma MacAndrews is a Modern History graduate who was awarded the Employability Bursary during the summer of 2022.
Emma used the fund to attend a summer programme in Kosovo and reflects on the experience below:
I attended the Kosovo International Summer Academy, a ten-day programme hosted by the Kosovo Centre for Diplomacy which explores topics including economics, politics, and international justice, among others. I stayed in the outskirts of Pristina, Kosovo’s vibrant capital city, alongside 60 fellow participants from 28 different countries across the world.
Emma MacAndrews (centre, bottom row) with her fellow programme graduates
The programme consisted of several interactive seminars from high-ranking public officials and academic experts. Among them was Dr Enver Hoxhaj, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, and Professor Fatmir Sejdiu, the former President of Kosovo. There were also lectures from Professor Amela Lukač Zoranić of the International University of Novi Pazar who spoke on ‘Post Renaissance Kosovo’ and Professor Janet Steele from George Washington University who spoke on ‘Journalistic Professionalism in an Age of Fake News.’
One of my favourite seminars, however, was from Adrian Zeqiri, the Executive Director of the European Centre for Minority Issues. He spoke about the problems affecting those from minority groups in Kosovo and I found his talk particularly influential, so much that it inspired me to pursue a master’s degree after I graduated. I have since began studying for a Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies MSc at the University of Glasgow.
Abandoned Serbian Orthodox church, Pristina
Outside of the programme, I took advantage of the opportunity to travel and see distinct parts of the country. On one occasion, our hosts also provided a guided tour of Pristina, showing us the Mother Teresa Cathedral, Bill Clinton Boulevard and an exhibition titled ‘Once Upon a Time and Never Again’ which serves as a memorial dedicated to the children killed or missing as a result of the Kosovo War at the end of the 1990s.
Bill Clinton Boulevard
The incredible beauty of this small part of Europe stood out to me but it was also difficult to escape from the ethnic tensions that still linger in Kosovo more than 20 years after the war. The visible Albanian and Serbian flags, posters and billboards which celebrate military heroes of the past, coupled with NATO’s ongoing presence in the country all point to the persisting issues that still remain.
Prizren, Kosovo
I would advise those who are considering applying to make sure to do your research on the logistics and costs of your plan, whatever it may be. Think about everything from accommodation to airport transfers and do not forget to buy travel insurance. The more information you can provide to the Employability Bursary team the stronger your application will be.
My time in Kosovo was one of the most valuable experiences of my life so far. I not only travelled to a beautiful part of the world, but I also absorbed so much from the educational programme that I attended. It guided my thinking towards studying for a master’s degree and helped me to make connections with academics and public officials within my field of interest, not forgetting the many new friendships I also formed there. Altogether, my experience at the Kosovo International Summer Academy has contributed to laying the foundations for my future academic and professional career.
We are delighted to hear that Emma has had such a positive experience through this programme, and that the Employability Bursary has helped her to make the most out of it. To find out more, including information on how to apply and eligibility, please visit ourEmployability Bursary page.
