Thirty young Albanians from across the diaspora arrived in Prishtina to begin their OriginAL journey as part of Cohort 9, the first cohort of 2026. What started with introductions at RIT Kosovo (A.U.K.) quickly grew into a meaningful experience filled with learning, reflection, friendship, and a stronger sense of belonging.
From the first day, participants brought different stories, accents, countries, and life experiences. Yet through every shared activity, conversation, and visit, they began to see how much connected them to one another, and to the places their families call home.
Their first week in Kosovë invited them to understand the country through its people, history, memory, and everyday life. In Gërmia Park, outdoor challenges and team-building activities helped turn a group of young people from different parts of the world into a growing community. Through friendly competition, laughter, and teamwork, they learned that some of the strongest connections form outside formal settings, in simple moments of trust, play, and shared effort.
In Prishtina, participants explored the capital’s landmarks and gained a closer understanding of the city’s history, culture, and daily rhythm. A visit to Prekaz gave the group space to reflect on sacrifice, resilience, and the events that shaped Kosova’s recent history. It was one of the first moments in the program where history became personal, not only something to learn, but something to feel, discuss, and carry forward.
The journey continued in Prizren, where heritage, culture, and civic life came together. Participants walked through the city’s historic streets, climbed to the Prizren Fortress, and met Mayor Shaqir Totaj to learn more about the city’s development. Their visit to DokuFest and the screening of Hive opened important conversations about storytelling, resilience, and the role of culture in helping communities remember, heal, and imagine a better future.
One of the most powerful moments of the week came in Krusha e Madhe, where participants met Fahrije Hoti. Her story of turning loss into strength, work, and collective action left a lasting impression on the group. The visit to the Memorial Museum deepened their understanding of the human stories behind conflict and the importance of preserving memory with dignity and care.
In Gjakova, participants were welcomed by Mayor Ardian Gjini before exploring the city’s cultural heritage through the Grand Bazaar and its historic landmarks. The warmth of the city, its architecture, and its sense of community offered another window into Kosova’s diverse identity.
The first week concluded with a visit to Peja and Rugova. Participants visited the Patriarchate of Peja, met Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri, and took part in a tree-planting initiative that allowed them to leave behind a small but meaningful contribution to the communities that welcomed them. The day ended with a reflection session, giving participants space to process what they had experienced and share how these moments had shaped their understanding of Kosovë, their heritage, and themselves.
As the program crossed into Albania, a new chapter began.
The group travelled from Kosovë through the striking route of Koman Lake, where the ferry ride through mountains and calm waters created one of the most memorable transitions of the program. From there, participants arrived in Shkodër, a city where history, culture, and youth energy came together.
In Shkodër, participants visited the Site of Witness and Memory, where they learned more about Albania’s difficult past and the importance of protecting human rights, memory, and freedom. The day later shifted toward connection and joy, as participants joined local youth for a bike ride along Lake Shkodra. Through conversation, laughter, and the sunset over the lake, the group experienced another side of the journey, one rooted in friendship, exchange, and the simple beauty of shared time.
The journey then continued to Vlorë, where Albania’s history meets the sea. Participants settled near the coast and explored some of the city’s most important historic sites, including Flag Square, the Independence Monument, and the resting place of Ismail Qemali. Through this visit, they learned more about Vlorë’s role in Albania’s independence and the legacy of 1912, when the country declared its freedom.
After days filled with travel, reflection, and discovery, Vlorë also gave participants time to pause. A beach day allowed them to rest, swim, play games, walk by the sea, and enjoy free time together. These quieter moments mattered just as much as the formal visits. They gave the group space to recharge, connect, and create memories that will stay with them long after the program ends.
The visit to Zvërnec added another special moment to the Albania experience. Surrounded by nature, water, and history, participants had the chance to experience one of the country’s most peaceful sites. It offered time to reflect on how much they had seen, how much they had learned, and how far they had come as a group.
The final days brought the group to Tirana, where the program connected heritage with creativity, technology, and youth culture. At 42 Tirana, participants took part in a hands-on introduction to web programming, working through coding activities, peer-to-peer learning, and practical projects. The experience showed that OriginAL is not only about looking back at history. It is also about looking ahead, exploring skills, ideas, and opportunities that can shape the future.
In Tirana, participants also experienced Albanian Night, a celebration of music, food, tradition, and shared identity. After days of travel across Kosovë and Albania, this evening gave the group space to come together, enjoy the culture they had been exploring, and celebrate the friendships formed along the way.
The closing days in Tirana gave participants time to reflect on the full experience. From the first meeting in Prishtina to the final moments in Albania’s capital, Cohort 9 had travelled through places of memory, resilience, history, creativity, and belonging. They had met mayors, activists, educators, local youth, guides, and community leaders. They had walked through historic towns, visited museums and memorial sites, joined cultural activities, learned new skills, and shared long conversations with one another.
Through every city visited, every story heard, and every friendship formed, participants began to understand that reconnecting with one’s roots means more than learning where you come from. It means building relationships, asking questions, listening with care, and finding your own place within a shared Albanian story.
For Cohort 9, this journey became a bridge between memory and future, between Kosovë and Albania, between personal identity and collective belonging.
As the program came to a close in Tirana, one thing became clear: OriginAL does not simply bring young Albanians from the diaspora back to their roots. It helps them understand where those roots can take them next.
