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 these questions have crossed your mind, you are not alone.
In fact, they are some of the questions we hear before every single OriginAL cohort.
“Will I fit in?”
This is probably the question we hear most often.
The short answer is: yes.
Every OriginAL cohort brings together young Albanians who have grown up in different countries, cultures, and environments. Some come from large Albanian communities, while others may have never met another Albanian their age before joining the program.
Despite these differences, participants quickly realize they have more in common than they expected.
By the end of the program, strangers become friends, and many stay connected long after returning home.
“I don’t speak Albanian very well. Is that okay?”
Absolutely.
OriginAL is not a language test.
Some participants are fluent in Albanian. Others understand it but prefer speaking English or another language. Some know only a few words.
That has never stopped anyone from becoming part of the group.
The program creates an environment where everyone feels comfortable participating, asking questions, and learning without feeling judged.
In fact, many participants tell us they become more confident using Albanian simply because they are surrounded by others who encourage them.
“I’ve never been to Kosovo or Albania before.”
For many participants, OriginAL is their first visit.
That makes the experience even more meaningful.
Everything feels new. The places, the food, the history, the conversations, and the people all become part of discovering a place that has always been part of their identity, even from afar.
There is no expectation that you already know everything.
Curiosity is enough.
“Will I know anyone?”
Almost everyone arrives without knowing the rest of the group.
By the first evening, that usually changes.
The activities are designed to help participants get to know one another naturally. Whether during team challenges, city walks, shared meals, or long bus rides, friendships begin to form from the very first day.
Some of those friendships continue across countries and continents long after the program ends.
“What should I expect?”
Expect busy days.
Expect meaningful conversations.
Expect moments of reflection.
Expect to laugh more than you thought you would.
Expect to learn about history, culture, entrepreneurship, innovation, and contemporary life in Kosovo and Albania.
Expect to meet inspiring people who are building businesses, leading institutions, creating art, preserving traditions, and shaping their communities.
Most importantly, expect an experience that is difficult to describe until you have lived it yourself.
“What if I don’t know much about my heritage?”
That is exactly why OriginAL exists.
You do not need to arrive with all the answers.
The program is designed for young people who want to learn more about where they come from, ask questions, connect with others, and better understand their roots.
Every participant starts from a different place.
Every participant leaves with something new.
More Than Answers
Every cohort begins with uncertainty.
Will I fit in?
Will I belong?
Will this feel like home?
By the final day, those questions are usually replaced by different ones.
When can I come back?
How can I stay involved?
When will I see everyone again?
That is the journey OriginAL creates.
Not by giving participants all the answers, but by helping them discover them together.
