The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) Spotlight: Vinita Morina
What is your educational and professional background?
Regarding my educational and professional background, I am currently in my final year as an undergraduate student at the Faculty of Law, University of Prishtina. I am also a former participant of the Change the World Model United Nations program, a prestigious program for young leaders that takes place in New York City. Additionally, I am a Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Scholar, which is a political foundation that is committed to achieving and maintaining peace, freedom and justice through political education. Moreover, I have recently participated in the Polish-European Summer School, an intensive academic summer program held in Poland.
Why did you choose to apply for the UGRAD Program?
There are two main reasons why I decided to apply to the UGRAD Program. Firstly, I always wanted to study for an academic semester in an international setting. Second, I have always been interested in expanding my horizons by discovering and interacting with individuals from different cultures. This would be a great opportunity for me to connect with people from diverse global backgrounds and promote the beauty of Kosovo as well as showcase our unique culture on an international scale.
Tell us about your experience as a student in the U.S.?
The period of time I spent as a student in the United States has had a profound impact on my life. It has significantly contributed to my professional and personal growth. This valuable experience enabled me to thrive academically, meet new people from all over the world, expand my understanding of American culture, volunteer extensively, and promote the beauty of Kosovo. It is with my deepest gratitude that I thank the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Pristina and World Learning for this amazing opportunity.
What is the most valuable component you are gained from the program?
In my opinion, adaptability stands as the most valuable component you are gained from the program. When engaging in academic pursuits in a foreign country, people are most likely to encounter numerous situations that are outside of their comfort zone. Whether it's trying new foods, navigating unfamiliar public transportation, or simply trying to communicate in a different language, you're going to have to adapt to new experiences. Through cultivating adaptability and embracing uncertainty, I have had the opportunity to discover diverse cuisines, rich cultural traditions, and thrive personally as well as professionally.
How did you implement the knowledge gained as a part of the program at your home institution?
In the United States, I gained a lot of knowledge and skills regarding academic research, which I tried to apply and incorporate that into my classes and lectures in my home institution at the University of Prishtina. In addition, I think that while in the United States, I also learned a lot of public speaking skills as well because I gave numerous presentations about Kosovo and tried to showcase my country as much as possible. When I returned to Kosovo, I tried to implement that skill in my home country by actively promoting the Global UGRAD program and encouraging as many students as possible to apply through various public interviews in the media. Furthermore, I have recently became a member of the Kosovo United States Alumni (KUSA) organization. I intend to collaborate with their amazing team and, in the near future, apply for one of the grants that KUSA offers to alumni of U.S. government-funded or sponsored exchange programs in order to execute a project here in Kosovo, specifically in my field of study, law.
How was the application process for you and what tips do you have for the prospective candidates?
I think the application process went quite smoothly for me, however I would advise any prospective candidate thinking of applying to this program to ensure they have a good knowledge of the English language and to be prepared to undertake the TOEFL exam, should they be selected as finalists. In addition, they should have a strategy as to how they intend to implement the information they learn during the course of the program when they return back to their home countries or institutions.
What is the biggest culture shock you are experiencing in the U.S?
I think that the biggest culture shock I experienced in the United States was the food. I had a lot of cravings for Albanian food, but other than that, I did not experience other signs of culture shock when I moved to the United States because I was able to adapt to the new environment very quickly.
What is your favourite place you have visited while participating in the Global UGRAD program?
It is very challenging for me to pick one single favorite destination during my time on the Global UGRAD Program because I loved them all equally. However, I would like to highlight a few places that resonated most strongly with me: Florida, Boston, and Washington D.C.
What is your favorite American dish/food?
My favorite American dish/food is the New York-style Pizza.
The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) brings future leaders to the United States to experience U.S. higher education, gain critical professional skills, and explore new cultures and values.
In order to ease your mind and provide you with an insider’s look into the Global UGRAD experience, we decided to catch up with our alumni.
As we continue our series of questions, let's delve into the experiences of Vinita Morina, our Global UGRAD fellow for 2021-2022, during her time at Castleton University in Vermont.
The Global UGRAD Program competition for the 2024-2025 academic year will be open in November 2023.
To learn more visit: The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) - U.S. Embassy in Kosovo (usembassy.gov)