A City That Welcomes You In: Discovering Prishtina Through Hospitality and Community

Wildlife Conservation & Animal Rights Intern in Kosovo 

This blog was originally written by Michell Hernandez, Summer 2026 intern, and is shared here with permission from the author.

When people think about traveling to a new country, they often begin by searching for  landmarks, historical sites, famous restaurants, or the most popular tourist attractions.

These places can certainly help us understand a city, but I have found that some of the most meaningful parts of a place are often much less obvious. For me, one of the most memorable things about living in Prishtina has been experiencing its  hospitality.

Prishtina is a city with a unique energy. It is young, lively, and constantly changing, while still carrying reminders of its history and identity. Walking through the city, it is easy to notice the contrast between the old and the new: traditional influences alongside modern cafés, restaurants, creative spaces, and a growing international community. But what makes Prishtina especially memorable to me is not simply what the city looks like. It is how the city feels.

Hospitality is deeply connected to everyday life in Kosovo. It can be found in the way people welcome guests, invite others to share a meal, or make an effort to help someone who is unfamiliar with their surroundings. As someone living abroad, these small moments of kindness has made a significant difference in my experience.

One of the best ways to experience Prishtina is through its café culture. Cafés are more than places to grab a quick drink. They are gathering spaces where people meet friends, spend time together, study, talk, and simply enjoy being around one another. Sitting at a café and watching people move through the city can offer its own kind of introduction to Prishtina.

Food is another important part of experiencing hospitality in Kosovo. Sharing a meal can be a way of welcoming someone into a community, and traditional foods provide an

opportunity to learn about the country's culture and history. Whether enjoying a meal at a

restaurant or sharing food with friends, I have found that eating together often creates

some of the most memorable moments.

Prishtina also has a creative and youthful side that is easy to discover once you begin

exploring. Street art, murals, local businesses, and unique architecture give the city a

character of its own. The Newborn Monument, for example, has become one of the city's

most recognizable landmarks and a symbol of Kosovo's identity and independence. Yet perhaps one of the most interesting things about Prishtina is its people. The city has a large population of young people and students, which contributes to its energetic atmosphere. There is a sense that Prishtina is still defining itself and continuing to grow. For someone visiting from another country, this makes the city feel exciting and full of possibility.

Living in Prishtina has also shown me that experiencing a city is different from simply visiting it. A tourist might see a landmark, take a photograph, and move on to the next destination. Living somewhere gives you the chance to notice the smaller details: the café you pass every morning, the people you see regularly, the streets that slowly become familiar, and the unexpected conversations that become part of your daily routine.

My experience in Prishtina has taught me that hospitality can shape the way we remember a place. A city can have beautiful architecture and interesting history, but it is often the people who make us feel connected to it. For me, Prishtina has become more than a place where I am completing an internship. It has become a place where I have learned, explored, met new people, and experienced a culture different from my own.

If I were to describe Prishtina to someone who had never visited, I would tell them not to

experience it only through a list of tourist attractions. Walk through the streets. Sit at a café. Try something new. Talk to people. Allow yourself to get a little lost. Because sometimes, the best way to discover a city is not by asking what there is to see, but by asking how it makes you feel.

And for me, Prishtina is a city that makes you feel welcome.