July 2026

For many young people growing up in the diaspora, the question is not whether they are Albanian. The question is often what being Albanian means when your everyday life unfolds somewhere else. You may grow up speaking one language at school and another at home. You celebrate national holidays in one country while hearing stories […]

For many participants, applying to OriginAL is exciting. But before the excitement comes a long list of questions. Some wonder if they will fit in. Others worry that their Albanian is not good enough. Many have never visited Kosovo or Albania before, while others wonder if everyone else already knows each other. If any of

On June 10, the Albanian-American community came together in New York City for a special evening in support of OriginAL and Albanian diaspora youth. Hosted by Fadil Berisha, Avni Mustafaj, and Mark Kosmo, the event brought together supporters, alumni, and friends of the program for a night filled with stories, gratitude, and shared commitment to

For many young people in the diaspora, the idea of home carries more than one meaning. It can be the country where they were born or raised, the language they speak with their family, the food that reminds them of childhood, or the stories they heard growing up about Kosova and Albania. Through OriginAL, diaspora