Fulbright Foreign Student Program (Master’s Degree) Spotlight: Blerim Jashari

Applying and preparing for an opportunity like a Fulbright Scholarship can be a nerve-wracking experience. To ease your mind and provide you with an insider’s look into the Fulbright experience, we decided to catch up with our Fulbright alumni and, asked them to reflect on their Fulbright experience and answer our insightful questions.

We’re continuing our question series with our 2024-2025 Fulbright Foreign (Master’s Degree) alumnus, Blerim Jashari, who pursued a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology at Harvard University. 

What is your educational and professional background?

I’ve always loved science. In high school, I represented Kosovo at international science Olympiads in Kenya, Texas, and New York, including the Genius Olympiad. At Minerva University, I studied Cognitive Science and Biology while living and learning in San Francisco, Berlin, Seoul, and London.

Professionally, I’ve spent several years conducting psychological research and designing learning experiences for educational technology institutions. I just completed my Master’s in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology at Harvard University. This fall, I’m excited to begin my PhD at Harvard at the intersection of Cognitive Sciences and Education.

Why did you choose to apply for the Fulbright Program?

I was drawn to Fulbright’s reputation for academic excellence and its global community of learners and leaders committed to positive change. I saw it as a chance to connect with people from around the world who share my passion for making a difference.

More importantly, Fulbright offered the resources and support I needed to bring new ideas back to Kosovo. I want to use what I learn to strengthen educational opportunities and drive innovation in my home country.

Tell us about your experience as a Fulbrighter in the U.S.

Being a Fulbrighter, with no doubt, has been life-changing. I’ve had the chance to run my own research projects in two different labs at Harvard. I also designed and co-taught a course there, which taught me a lot about teaching and curriculum development.

In the classroom, I learned alongside students from all over the world, each bringing their own perspectives and ideas. Outside of class, I connected with leading professors who’ve become mentors and guided me through my research. I’ve also made friends who had never even heard of Kosovo, and now they’re curious about my home country, and some are planning visits.

What is the most valuable component you have gained from the program?

For me, the greatest gift of the Fulbright has been the sheer breadth of opportunities. As the saying goes, “the world is your oyster,” and that’s exactly how it felt. I was encouraged to push my boundaries and explore ideas in ways I never imagined.

Right before I graduated, I was offered a Learning Design Fellowship at Harvard. In that role, I designed a mandatory summer course on AI for 800 incoming students, an experience that I could never imagine being exposed to.

How are you planning to implement the knowledge gained as part of the program at your home institution?

I’m excited to bring back the hands-on approaches I developed at Harvard. First, I plan to design training programs for educators and students that build both practical and critical AI literacy, and also develop strategies for integrating AI in education.

I am also really interested in creating partnerships between researchers in Kosovo and Harvard. I’m planning events hosted at Harvard in collaboration with a Kosovo-focused center, where we’ll invite speakers from both communities to share research, stories, and best practices.

How was the application process for you, and what advice do you have for prospective candidates?

Applying to Fulbright is exciting but can feel overwhelming and nerve-wracking at times, too. However, a key tip from me is telling your own story clearly and purposefully. Be reflective. Describe moments when you learned something important. Connect the dots. Show how each experience naturally led to the goals you want to achieve.

What is the biggest culture shock you are experiencing in the U.S?

Tipping and tax not included in the price.

What is your favorite place you have visited while participating in the Fulbright program?

My favorite place I’ve visited is Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A peninsula with a mix of open ocean, rolling dunes, and quiet forests. I also loved learning about the Wampanoag people and how their traditions and history have shaped this land.

What is your favorite American dish/food?

Clam Chowder, which is a soup that has deep historical roots in Massachusetts.