Written by Aurela Selimi, 7th cohort August 2025
As an Albanian, third-generation from Paris, and I’m so excited to share my experience as part of the 7th generation of Original, August 2025. This journey was unlike anything I’ve ever lived before.
Honestly, I was really nervous about starting the program. I was also super excited because I really wanted to discover my roots, but I had a lot of fears. I’m Albanian from Paris, and even though there are Albanians here, our community isn’t that connected. I’m also Albanian from Macedonia, and I worried that maybe people wouldn’t fully consider me Albanian because of that. On top of that, English isn’t my first language, I speak French and my Albanian is the dialect from Kërçova, which is quite unique: I can understand everyone, but not everyone can understand me perfectly. I also know standard Albanian from my courses, but still… I wasn’t sure how well I’d be able to connect with everyone. But in the end, it turned out to be incredible, I connected so deeply with everyone, and it made the experience even more unforgettable.
When we arrived, the first night was the inauguration, it was magical. I still remember the energy in the room, the excitement, the laughter, everyone trying to remember names, nervously introducing themselves, and already connecting. It didn’t feel like just the start of a program; it felt like the beginning of a family. From that very first night, I knew this experience was going to be unforgettable.
The next day, we really started our journey. We spent the day getting to know each other, doing icebreakers, and working in small groups on different activities. We also did some volunteering thanks to OJQ TOKA, which helped us bond even more and gave us a glimpse into everyday life there. Then, the next day, we visited Prishtina, the capital. We explored the library, the museum, and the history of the city. Prishtina is really marked by its war history, and its communist-style architecture, which I had noticed before in my previous visits. But it’s also a lively, multicultural city, very different from other cities in Kosovo.
After Prishtina, we went to Prekaz, where we met Vlora Jashari, a descendant of Adem Jashari. She shared the story of her family and the sacrifices they made. Visiting their home, learning about their history, and laying flowers in respect for those who died, it was an emotional moment, and yes, we cried. I didn’t expect to, but seeing the reality of what they gave for our freedom was overwhelming.
Then we headed to Prizren, where we stayed in a lovely hotel and explored the city. Prizren is rich in culture, with a strong mix of Albanians, Turks, and Serbs. We visited mosques, including Bektashi mosques, as well as Orthodox and Catholic churches. Walking through the streets, seeing all these different communities side by side, it was truly special. We even climbed up to the castle, Kalaja, which holds marks of the UCK from the 1990s war. And to top it off, we went on a zipline adventure together. It was challenging but so much fun, and it brought the group even closer. That night, we went to the cinema to see Superman, and afterwards, some of us went to a local restaurant called Evropa, which is open 24/7. The food was amazing, and I highly recommend it.
The following day, we went to Krushë e Madhe, a village in western Kosovo’s Rahovec municipality. Our first stop was the Massacre Museum, which tells the story of the war and the atrocities committed there. What struck me the most, as a historian, was that this museum is not a top-down narrative; it’s a horizontal one, created by locals for locals. The exhibits included personal testimonies from villagers about how they survived, rebuilt their lives, and preserved their memories. We were also given books documenting this history, including A Village Slain: First-Person Accounts of Genocide by Serbian Police, Paramilitary, and Serbian Kosovar Citizens during the 1998/1999 War of Liberation by Agron Limani and Qemajl Krasniqi, which serve as a powerful reminder that these events must never be forgotten.
Later, we visited Cooperativa Krusha, a women-only specialty foods company run by Fahrije Hoti and the women of Krushë e Madhe. This initiative was born out of immense loss: during the Kosovo War, more than 250 men and boys from the village disappeared, presumed victims of mass killings. The women created this cooperative as a way to rebuild their community and provide economic opportunities for themselves while honoring the memory of their lost loved ones. Seeing their resilience and determination was incredibly inspiring, it was a moment full of admiration and respect. The cooperative is also known across Kosovo for its ajvar, a traditional Balkan condiment made from bell peppers and eggplants.
Later, we had a moment of relaxation and reflection led by Vlera, which was a calm, zen moment where we could check in with ourselves and each other after living so intensely together for a few days.
In Gjakovë, we enjoyed a guided city tour, explored the charming old town, and visited the Bonevet innovation center for youth. Later, we shared a beautiful meal at Liqeni i Dukagjinit and danced together, it felt like a small Albanian celebration. We also learned traditional dances from each participant, each of us sharing a piece of our region, from the north, south, or central. It was such a joyful, unifying moment.
Kosovo also showed us its rich religious diversity : Muslim, Catholic, Albanian, but what truly united everyone was our shared culture rather than faith. We visited vineyards, tasted local wine and raki, and spent evenings together sharing meals, playing games, and strengthening our bond. The mornings were early, the travels long, but every moment was unforgettable.
From Kosovo, we took the bus to Shkoder, Albania, and then continued our journey on a two-hour boat ride. The boat ride was pure magic, full of singing, dancing, and laughter. Everyone was in high spirits, and even the other passengers joined in the fun, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Shkoder itself was incredible. We explored the city’s history under communism, visited its landmarks, and even celebrated a birthday of one of our group members, which added a very personal and joyful touch to the day.
From there, we traveled south to Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage site and, for me, the absolute highlight of the trip. Walking through its cobblestone streets, exploring the castle, and visiting the old town was like stepping back in time. We also visited the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, which gave a unique perspective on Albania’s history. The architecture, the views, the atmosphere, it was breathtaking. I felt a deep connection to the city and completely fell in love with it. Every corner told a story, every street was alive with history, and I couldn’t stop imagining the lives that had passed through this incredible place. Gjirokastër quickly became my favorite city of the entire journey.
Next, we went to Sarandë. On the way, we stopped at the Blue Eye (Syri i Kaltër), a breathtaking natural site. We also visited the Butrint archaeological park, exploring Albania’s ancient history and reflecting on how proud it makes you feel to see the legacy of our people. In Sarandë, we explored the city and the castle. The next day was “beach day,” one of the most anticipated moments. The hotel had its own private beach, and we spent the day swimming, playing, relaxing together, despite the rocky beach, the water was crystal clear. That evening, we walked along the promenade, enjoying the albanian summer night vibes.
Finally, we headed to Tirana. On the way, the bus was alive with singing, dancing, and even karaoke. Tirana was a city I had passed by many times but never truly visited. We explored mosques, bunkers, Mother Teresa Square, and the old dictator’s house. The evening life was vibrant, and I felt safe, especially being with the group.
The next day, we visited Krujë, Skanderbeg’s castle, and the old market. We enjoyed traditional Albanian food and bought souvenirs, including the traditional plis hats.
Our last evening was an Albanian Night, where we wore traditional clothing and experienced what a real Albanian wedding feels like. It was emotional, fun, beautiful, but also bittersweet because we all knew the journey was ending. The next morning, some people left early for flights. We had a closing session and wrote letters to each other, and yes, I cried more than once.
These 13 days were the most intense, emotional, and incredible days of my life. I laughed, I cried, I danced, I lost my voice, I sang. I met people I’ll never forget, created bonds that feel like family, and shared moments I’ll treasure forever. Coming back home to Paris, it was hard, I was physically there, but my mind was still in Kosovo and Albania. I’m eternally grateful to OriginAl, to GERMIN, to all the staff, and to the 39 amazing participants who made this journey unforgettable. I know I’ll keep in touch with them, visiting them around the world, and keeping this family alive.
A huge thank you to the incredible staff who made OriginAL possible:
Era – the heart and mind of the program. She meticulously prepared and organized everything down to the smallest detail, while still living the experience with us at 200%. She gave 1000% of herself so that everything would run smoothly and so that each of us would feel at home. She truly was our big sister throughout the journey, always present, always in a good mood, even when we were running late (sorry Era!). Without her dedication, energy, and care, none of this would have been the same.
Dafina – who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organize and coordinate everything, making sure that every part of the program was ready for us.
Vlera and Dardan – who captured every single moment in photos and videos, giving us memories we’ll keep forever.
Andi – our doctor, who took care of us throughout the program and made sure we were safe and well.
Dionisis – our amazing tour guide and volunteer, who shared with us the history and culture of each city, making the whole experience so much richer.
Lirim – our director, thank you for accompanying us throughout this journey and supporting us along the way.
If anyone reading this is hesitating about joining the program, I hope that after reading my story, you won’t hesitate anymore. This experience is truly life-changing, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Faleminderit nga zemra të gjithëve që e bëtë këtë eksperiencë të paharrueshme.
