From Unexpected Destination to Second Home: My Isla Journey in Kosovo

Environmental Sustainability in Kosovo 

This blog was originally written by Jakob Merkelz, Summer 2023 intern, and is shared here with permission from the author.

In the summer of 2023, I went to Prishtina, Kosovo, to start an internship in environmental sustainability through Isla Internships. Ending up in Kosovo was one of the last things I would have expected, but going there became one of the greatest decisions I have ever made.

My path to Kosovo was not expected. In fact, before I found Isla, I was hoping to do an internship around Slovenia, where my family is from. Once I found Isla and looked through their destinations, I originally hoped to go to Bulgaria. However, the team working on my application told me they thought I would really enjoy Kosovo and that my skills and interests aligned with a few of their partner NGOs there. I decided I would trust their instincts. I am so grateful that I did. In all honesty, the two months I spent in Prishtina with my host organization, with the other interns, and with the many local friends I made were among the best of my entire life. 

My main focus was on environmental issues in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. Some of my most memorable experiences were helping draft a brief for the Kosovo Ministry of the Economy, attending a lunch meeting with some of their representatives, and researching and compiling environmental and energy laws in Kosovo for a project to make them more accessible to businesses and the public. From the amazing work environment and team I got to be part of, to great trips around Kosovo and Albania, to the amazing times I spent exploring Prishtina with the new friends I made, Kosovo was nothing short of a dream for me.

In fact, I loved my time with Isla in Prishtina so much that, around 6 months later, in January 2024, I returned to Prishtina for a second time, spending a semester studying abroad with R.I.T. Kosovo. During that time, I got to reconnect with old colleagues (who I now consider friends) from my Isla program, as well as so many other friends I made during my first time in Kosovo. I also got to experience what living on my own in Kosovo was like, learning how to navigate things like paying bills, setting up accounts, and just being a member of society. I also got to spend a great deal of time exploring more parts of Kosovo. My absolute favorite place was Klina, where I spent a weekend and celebrated Kosovo Independence Day at the house of some great friends, whose family was kind enough to welcome me on admittedly short notice and make me feel like family. Kosovo’s hospitality is unmatched. 

By the end of my semester abroad, I had fully embraced the local community, and I felt fully embraced by it. I learned how to sing lots of great songs, make fli (a traditional dish), play the çifteli (a local instrument), and I was also gifted a plis (traditional hat) from a great friend. I showed love to the people and the country, and they showed me even more love back. 

In all honesty, I have nothing but great things to say about Kosovo. From the amazing beauty of the cities and nature, to the delicious food, to the great music, to the many adventures I found myself on. But nothing compares to the amazing people. It has been over two years since I was last in Kosovo, and I still keep in touch regularly with many of the friends I made there. One day, I will be back- that’s a promise to myself and them, but for now, I just have to say that if anyone has a chance to go with Isla for an internship there, then make sure to go for it! If you can experience anything close to what I did, it will definitely be worth it.