Beyond the Classroom: Fulbright ETAs’ Community Projects in Kosovo

Snapshots from Five USKEB Small Grants Initiatives Implemented, May-June 2025

June 30, 2025 - The English Teaching Assistant (ETA) Program, part of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad, including at Kosovo’s universities, to assist local professors and engage with students. While the program strengthens students’ English language skills, its impact goes beyond the classroom, fostering positive change and cross-cultural understanding in Kosovo’s host communities.  

In May-June 2025, six ETAs placed in various educational institutions in Kosovo designed and implemented a series of community projects: one joint initiative and four individual ones, thanks to support from the USKEB Small Grants. This annual open call provides funding for ETAs to turn their ideas into projects that help their host communities in Kosovo.

Here’s how Abigail Furman (American Corner Pristina), Audra Pesko (University of Mitrovica “Isa Boletini”), David Chmielewski (University of Gjakova “Fehmi Agani”), Lee Sailor (University of Prizren “Ukshin Hoti”), Peyton D’Anthony (University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”), and Phillip Cooper-Ohm (American Advising Center) made an impact through their USKEB Small Grant initiatives. 

Language and Cultural Exchange in Mitrovica  

From left to right: ETAs Peyton D'Anthony and Audra Pesko with two participants during the Paint & Chat event as part of their USKEB Small Grant Initiative

Audra and Peyton established an English language library at the University of Mitrovica "Isa Boletini." The library consists of almost 50 titles in English, spanning classic literature, modern fiction, simplified readers for language learners, and translated Albanian works. There are also books in the library donated by Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria that give a cultural background for their countries, which were secured by Prof. Edita Bekteshi, Audra’s host and point of contact at the university. 

The project included two events: the opening ceremony and a Paint & Chat event for students to make decorations for the library. At the opening ceremony, students and faculty members enjoyed food, music, and dancing while perusing the selection of new books in English. Eight students took out books from the English library at the opening ceremony only. Students enjoyed both events and expressed gratitude for the opportunity and the addition of this new corner at the university. 

Check out this media piece on the success of the Library.

Exploring Kosovo’s Musical Heritage at American Corner Pristina  

Mr. Valdet Hoti, a specialist in crafting Okarinas, guides two participants in making their own as part of Abigail’s USKEB Small Grant Initiative

Abigail organized a seminar for 20 upper high school and university students to meet Mr. Valdet Hoti, a member of the National Library of Kosovo and a specialist in crafting the Okarina - a traditional Kosovan wind instrument. Participants learned about the Okarina’s history, its role in Kosovo’s cultural heritage, and ongoing efforts to preserve it. The seminar concluded with an Okarina workshop at the American Corner Pristina premises, where a total of 11 participants (8 high school students and three music professionals) made their own Okarinas and took them home.  

While the Okarina is found worldwide, the Kosovan version is especially unique in sound, shape, age, and history.  

See this post from the American Corner Pristina about the event.

Youth Connection and Leadership in Prizren 

ETA Lee Sailor and participants during his USKEB Small Grant Initiative at American Corner Prizren

Lee brought together 18 participants (14 college students and four high school students) from multiple communities in Kosovo, including Albanian, Serbian, Turkish, and Bosniak backgrounds, to develop English language skills and strengthen leadership abilities at American Corner Prizren. Through team-building activities and cultural exchange exercises, participants built mutual trust and formed friendships that extended beyond the one-day-long event.  

This was Lee’s second time benefiting from USKEB Small Grants. Last year, while placed at the University of Gjakova, he collaborated with the Gjakova Center for the Blind to purchase and distribute five digital voice recorders for the blind. Read more here. 

Prizren- A City of Languages  

ETA David Chmielewski and participants during his USKEB Small Grant Initiative at American Corner Prizren

David’s project benefited 30 university students representing a mix of first, second, and third-year students to learn about the multilingual society of Prizren, including a visit to the Prizren library, where they learned about many languages in its collection, including Albanian, Turkish, and Bosnian. The event also inclued a visit to the American Corner Prizren to hear more about their English language resources and practice English with some competition in trivia, and a meeting with the staff of the Radio Romano Avazo, a Romani language NGO, where they learned about the organization's  Romani language radio programming, Romani language library, and Romani language theatre. 

Students were grateful for the opportunity to come together and explore what makes the city of Prizren, one of the most visited destinations in Kosovo, so culturally unique. 

Check out this radio piece about David’s USKEB Small Grant event.

STEM Engagement and Opportunity in Prishtina  

High school students participating in the USKEB Small Grant Initiative led by Phillip Cooper-Ohm at American Corner Pristina

Phillip facilitated a one-day intensive STEM workshop in Prishtina, connecting high-school students with local experts, national and international science Olympiad competitors, and volunteer opportunities. The workshop introduced participants to STEM disciplines, encouraged exploration of academic and career pathways, and provided resources to help them apply for national and international higher education programs.

In all, there were a total of 20 participants who, during the event, met with a student from Kosovo studying in the U.S., as well as a three-person panel of some of Kosovo's most successful STEM competitors in national and international Olympiads. The project was inspired by seven Kosovan high-school students who, in a conversation with Phillip, recognized the need for greater exposure to STEM opportunities in the country. 

Each of these projects left a meaningful mark on the communities they served, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of ETAs to Kosovo this September.