He’s one of many foreigners living and working in Albania trying to make sense of a country with Olympic natural beauties and a tragic historical past. He has watched and experienced, for 6 years now, a society trying to cope with its past and learn the concept of the future all at the same time. No he is not a missionary, nor an embassy worker, and even though his neighbor’s believe the contrary he is definitely not a spy.
It was about time that we caught up with this foreign stranger and get a hold of his ideas. Feel out his impressions and possibly learn from his observations and experiences. Surprisingly, he has even managed to learn e few words in Albanian.
Location: Nene Theresa Square, at the stairs of the University, 1-4-2009
Q: How did you end up in Albania?
A: By plane, no I’m kidding, by gomar
Q: What did you came for?
A: For adventures, finishing off my studies and work.
Q: How long have you been staying in Albania?
A: Its feels like yesterday! But I got here in 2003, so 6 vjet.
Q: Aah, so now I can continue my interview in Shqip?
A: Hmm, pak problem.
Q: Ok, What is your impression of Albania?
A: The country is amazing, I have traveled, stayed and worked all over the Country. I think I can honestly say that I have almost seen and experienced the entirety of Albania; from Shkodra to Lezha, Lac, Tirana, Durres, Fier, Vlora to Sarrande and from Durres to Elbasan, Librazhd, Pogradec to Korca and even further to Peshkopi; All over the people are lovely, beautiful and caring, the nature is stunning, impressive mountains views, fabulous beaches, the climate is more than pleasant. Such potential! Albania is really the last secret of Mediterranean Europe. I love it. (ed: 2 quotes in a row, 1 of UNDP, 1 of McDonalds)
Q: But is it all beauty?
A: NO! Last week a friend of mine told me the following story: As many youngsters in Albania she is trying to complete her university, so she can start to build up her future life. To do so, she needs to take six more little steps, also called exams. The planning of these exams is non-existent. The ambition of the group that she is apart of (15-20 students), is to finish off their exams within a month period, so they can get a degree as per University sezoni. Many of these students are already applying for jobs, some of them are looking to even widen their horizon by looking for positions over the boarder. All students want to move on. All students want to contribute to society and fight for careers. Many of them will develop Albania.
Nevertheless, there is a small hiccup, which I have seen is typical for Albania and there within hides a beastŠ
On one side the lack of planning, structure, responsibility and caring for students at public universities which in this case was shown by University management by not providing study materials in time to students and professors obstructing the group from passing their exams by; not showing up to the exams themselves; when being called to reschedule the exam barking in the phones that it was to early; and even letting female students fail when not willing to participate in personal post pornriculum fantasies.
But also at the other side the amazingly lack of pro activeness, fighting spirit, understanding of their rights and pride among youngsters and especially students – it is as if like they bend over and swallow what they get. But what do they get? Not enough!
Q: What do you think they should get?
A: I believe that any university, but especially public ones as they represent a country’s values and take care of a country’s talents, should provide excellent study materials, but more importantly ensure that student are taught by enthusiastic, encouraging and caring professors and that they move around in a system which runs so smoothly that they really can focus on why they are there: optimizing there skills by learning, so they can contribute at most to the development of society after having finished their studies. As far as I have seen, at public universities there is too often a lack of qualified, enthusiastic and caring professors and a lack of strong staff and systems to run the universities and ensure efficient, effective and accountable university operations.
Q: So you think that all public universities are bad?
A: No, definitely not. I think that there are many professors who care, even love their students and really want to do the best job they can do. I also think that there will be Universities which are better organized than others. However, I believe that there is an enormous space for improvement.
Q: But is it only the universities who can be “blamed” and should improve?
A: No, also definitely not. For 6 years now, I have been surprised with the acceptance of Albanian youngsters and students about their situation. They accept to be raised in an environment which does not encourage and challenge them to make the most of themselves. Many of them lack the understanding of the value of good education and they lack drive to participate in it and study hard. Moreover, they have accepted that authorities at so many levels abuse their power for their own interests instead of the students and authorities keeping them small. Some I know complain, but none of them step up. Where are the student organizations, youth movements, youth structures which would fight for their rights, provide them with a voice and undertake action against a lack of an efficient, effective and accountable functioning of public university structures? Where are the students which rebel against (intoxicated or toxicũ toxicated structures and sweep them clean? That’s what I am asking myself.
Q: But why should these things change?
A: Because it keeps Albania away from its real beauty. The old structures and authorities are still taking too much time to change (especially at local level). There is still too much politics going on, too many people are thinking of themselves and their close surroundings. This should change. But to do so, there is only one way: the new generation needs to take the initiative, needs to stand up. They need to find ways to keep the authorities accountable, they need to push for improvement of inefficient and ineffective structures and they need to take responsibility themselves in doing so. Just complaining in the caf鬠or at the kitchen table is not enough anymore. A passive and exceptive civil society is the biggest beast a country can hold, its time to step up!
Q: PFFF..Next time more, I need some time to reflect on this one.. Shume Faleminderit.
A: Ska gje zemer.
For comments or questions feel free to address the author at albanianobservations@gmail.com
