Working in Kosovo!

The most rewarding part of my summer in Kosovo has been the work I’ve done through my internship. This study abroad program stands out at USC as one of the few that offers students in Global Studies and related fields the opportunity to gain real-world experience through an internship. That aspect was a major reason why I was drawn to the program. In this blog, I’ll share about Isla, how I got my internship, what my responsibilities have been this summer, and highlight a few experiences from other interns as well!

Isla, USC’s partner organization in Kosovo, helps students from around the world find internships aligned with their academic and professional interests. Through its network of local partner organizations, Isla connects students with organizations that have openings in sectors such as Global Health, Business, Education and more. With the amount of partnerships they have, they truly can find internship positions for students in any field of interest. In my case, I reached out to Isla’s Executive Director, Leila Ali, to express my interest in an internship after securing my place in the Peacebuilding in Kosovo study-abroad program with Dr. Carl Dahlman. She provided me with a list of available positions in my field of interest: Democracy and Governance. From there, I scheduled interviews with the organizations that most interested me and began the internship placement process. After receiving a few offers, I was able to choose the position that best suited my goals and Isla then facilitated the next steps by sending me the necessary work contracts.

Isla handled all of the daunting logistics for me, like securing housing, arranging airport pickup, and organizing weekend trips. This aspect of studying abroad was what I found most stressful, as navigating these details in a new country with a language barrier seemed very overwhelming. Leila and our Program Coordinator, Dijana, made the entire process so great. They were there for us at any time of day, even checking in with us at 5AM during a weekend trip to make sure we made our bus. Their assistance was so reassuring, both for me and for my family, who appreciated knowing I had such a reliable support system abroad. With their help, I didn’t need to worry about all these details and could just enjoy my time living and working in Kosovo!

This summer, I am an intern at an NGO focused on transitional justice and human rights. My work has involved conducting research on strategies to bridge community-based initiatives with formal policy enactment through methods like policy hackathons and the development of grassroots networks. I have also supported the organization’s information management systems by helping create logical frameworks and compile data sets to facilitate reporting to the European Union. As a result, I’ve learned a lot about EU-related processes and documentation. My favorite part of this internship is how much I’ve grown personally and professionally. Technology has always been outside of my comfort zone (my friends call me a grandma when it comes to anything with computers), but I’ve worked hard to overcome my ineptitude. As a result, I’ve gained valuable skills and greater confidence in my ability to adapt to new situations.

My Workspace at the Office

Our Office Building

Josh is a junior at the University of South Carolina, pursuing a degree in Socioeconomic Policy. This summer, he is serving as a research intern at a think tank, where he conducts comparative analyses on the role of the Serbian Orthodox Church across the states of the former Yugoslavia. His work also involves examining European Union Commission documents, including those regarding Kosovo’s gradual integration into the EU. Josh’s favorite aspect of this role is the opportunity to engage with new research discussions, which has broadened his academic perspective of his area of study at university.

Sierra, a Master’s candidate at the University of Arkansas’ Clinton School of Public Service, is focusing her work this summer on Sustainability and Environmental Policy. She supports her organization’s work by contributing to policy reviews and community engagement initiatives in the sustainability sector. For Sierra, the most rewarding aspect of her time working in Kosovo has been the wide range of opportunities for cultural and physical immersion, whether through visiting local monuments and museums or exploring the region through weekend travel and hiking trips.

Kate, also a junior at the University of South Carolina, is double majoring in International Studies and Philosophy. This summer, she is assisting with research for an annual review of Kosovo’s international political developments and bilateral relations, with a particular focus on the influence of Nordic and Baltic countries on Kosovo’s EU integration process. Her favorite part of the internship has been the chance to deepen her understanding of foreign relations and international policy through hands-on experience.

Lucia is a junior at Carleton College, majoring in Art History and Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies. This summer, she is interning with an organization where she contributes to small-scale research projects, assists with organizing program materials, and is writing a reflective piece on the Kosovo Women’s Fund. Lucia has noted the best part of her internship in Kosovo has been the meaningful connections she’s formed and the incredible individuals she’s had the opportunity to meet through her internship position, as well as Isla.

From personal growth to professional and academic development, and overall just having a great time, I’ve gotten so much out of this program, and these other interns’ stories show that they agree. I feel really lucky that this program turned out to be such an amazing way to spend my summer. If you’re thinking about studying abroad for a summer, I can’t recommend this program enough. Getting the chance to work in Prishtina, rather than just study, made the experience so much more impactful.

Anniversary Event hosted by my Organization

Artivism Workshop hosted by my Organization