At the Heart of Kosovo’s Democracy: Jack’s Presidential Office Internship

Democracy & Governance Intern in Kosovo 

This blog was originally written by the Clinton School of Public Service’s Communications and Marketing office and is shared here with permission from the author.

Clinton School Student Supports Diplomacy in the Office of the President of Kosovo

During the summer of 2025, Clinton School of Public Service student Jack Stokes traveled to Prishtina, Kosovo, for an International Public Service Project (IPSP) that placed him at the heart of a developing democracy’s executive branch.

Interning within the Office of the President of Kosovo, Stokes, a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, gained firsthand experience in high-level diplomacy, international correspondence, and the challenge of supporting a NATO-endorsed Women, Peace, and Security forum.

A Seat at the Presidential Level

Working directly under the Chief of Staff and the Senior Advisor to Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo, Stokes found himself navigating a fast-paced environment where adaptability was essential. As the only American intern in the presidential office that summer, he was tasked with responsibilities ranging from drafting diplomatic letters to providing research on international topics.

"You learn a lot about loyalty to the Office of the President and the pride people take in serving their country," Stokes said. "I had the opportunity to send high-level correspondence and engage in discussions with international dignitaries. In addition to learning many new skills, I learned to adapt and shift very quickly."

Leila Ali, Executive Director of Isla Internships Abroad (Isla), the organization that facilitated the internship placement, noted that Stokes was uniquely suited for the intensity of the placement.

"Jack was professional, ready to work, but also ready to listen, learn, and understand a culture and work setting very different from what he is used to," Ali said.

Ali noted that the impact of his placement was immediate and left a lasting impression on the staff in Prishtina.

"Jack set the bar really high and now, when we are in touch with the President's Office about future interns, they just keep saying 'Send us another Jack,'" Ali added.

The 2025 Women, Peace, and Security Forum

A cornerstone of Stokes’ residency was his work on the 2025 Forum on Women, Peace, and Security. The international event brought together more than 1,000 participants from 45 countries to discuss the protection of women and children in conflict zones.  

Stokes played a central role in the forum’s execution, greeting foreign envoys and serving as a notetaker during high-level sessions. His contribution extended into the immediate aftermath of the event, where he co-authored the official 30-page Outcome Paper.

"During the three days of the forum, I was working 16 or 17 hours a day. This was the fastest pace event I have ever worked before," Stokes recalled. "The post-forum breakdown was intense because we had to write and edit the official Outcome Paper while managing thank-you correspondence to everyone who attended. The work was intriguing, interesting, entertaining, and quick."

Immersion in the Youngest Democracy

Beyond the office, Stokes’ time in Prishtina offered a deep dive into the history of a nation still healing from conflict. Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, provided a living classroom for Stokes’ interest in international diplomacy.

"When you walk through the city center, there are memorials and flowers,” Stokes said. “Even though it’s nearly three decades later, it's very fresh on the minds of the people.”

He spent his weekends exploring the region’s culture through museums like "The Reporting House," which documents the Albanian-Serbian conflict through the eyes of journalists.

To gain a deeper understanding of the region's post-war development, Isla interns visited several NGOs and war memorials, received a private museum tour from a BBC journalist, and participated in many community activities like local cooking classes, documentary screenings, and weekend hiking trips through the Balkan landscape.

The experience has solidified Stokes’ commitment to the field of international relations and governance, and he looks back on his time in Kosovo as a career-defining chapter.

"When someone has done work outside the parameters of their own country, it is an invaluable asset," Stokes said. "Meeting new people and building those connections was the best part of the summer."