About my LiA:

I’m working with the Kosovo Youth Council (KYC), a youth-led NGO based in Prishtina that has supported youth empowerment since 1999 through advocacy, education, and policy engagement. KYC’s initiatives range from promoting inclusive student councils across 30 municipalities, to strengthening youth participation in public life and fostering intercultural understanding.

What went well?

Although the first week didn’t involve direct project work or full-team engagement, I still found it to be a meaningful and grounding experience. With most of the team away on a business trip to Greece, I had the space and time to really dig into KYC’s internal resources such as strategy documents, policy proposals and reports, and organizational publications going back several years.

What I appreciated most was how much thought had gone into documenting their journey. Even in the absence of live guidance, I could trace how the organization had evolved, responded to Kosovo’s shifting political and educational landscape, and deepened its focus on youth empowerment. This self-directed learning allowed me to step into the organization’s history and culture in a way that I don’t think would have been possible had I jumped straight into tasks. That gave me a sense of responsibility, and also a sense of belonging, even though I hadn’t yet met most of the team.

In an unexpected way, the team's absence also worked in my favor. Because there was no set schedule requiring me to be in the office full-time, I had the flexibility to work from home when needed which was a real gift as I was dealing with some serious jet lag. This made the transition feel much more manageable. It gave me a chance to rest, recalibrate, and prepare mentally for the more intensive weeks ahead.

What could have been done differently?

The most significant challenge I faced was navigating the language of the materials. While a good number of documents were bilingual, several key resources were only available in formal Albanian. Though I speak Albanian fluently in informal settings, I’ve never had formal education in reading or writing the language, especially in its standardized form. This was compounded by the fact that much of the terminology was field-specific in that they were related to youth policy, institutional frameworks, and legal structures that are quite different from the language I encounter in my academic background in health and science.

This slowed my reading process and sometimes left me second-guessing whether I had truly grasped the nuances of what I was reading. I found myself oscillating between frustration and determination. On the one hand, I was disappointed that something so close to my cultural identity, my mother tongue, could feel so unfamiliar in this context. On the other hand, I was proud that I stuck with it, looked up terms, cross-checked meanings, and continued engaging even when it felt difficult.

In hindsight, I realize I could have reached out to my colleagues sooner for clarification. I have a tendency to try and “figure things out” on my own, often out of concern that asking “obvious” questions might make me appear unprepared or less capable. Over the course of this placement, I want to challenge that instinct and become more comfortable asking for help when I need it.

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Even though I didn’t collaborate closely with the full team this week, the few staff members I met were kind, welcoming, and generous with their time, even though they were preparing for or returning from a busy trip. Their attitude made me feel like my presence was genuinely valued, which in turn motivated me to take my readings seriously and approach the week with commitment.

What did I learn about leadership?

This week shifted my understanding of leadership in a subtle but important way. Often, we think of leadership as something visible and active: someone taking charge, making decisions, directing others. But what I observed at KYC this week is that leadership is also about building structures that outlive your presence. This means creating systems that are accessible, thoughtful, and designed to empower others to act, even when you’re not in the room. I found that really powerful.

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

Looking ahead to next week, I’m eager to begin working more directly with the full KYC team, especially as we approach my specific project. I want to bring the context I gained this week into those conversations and ensure that the work I take on aligns with both organizational priorities and the current needs on the ground.

Personally, I want to continue building my confidence with formal Albanian; I also want to practice being more proactive in asking questions. And more broadly, I want to stay open to the kind of growth that happens when you step outside your comfort zone linguistically, culturally, and intellectually.