Kosovo is a new European country which, in turn, makes me a young European. This is why my country decided to go with a campaign to promote its population as the “young Europeans” some years ago. This sounds great and the ad looks lovely; all those happy faces of youngsters, working hard and looking so optimistic. However, in reality, it’s hard to feel like one young European.
Do I feel like a young European?
However, in reality, it’s hard for us to feel like young Europeans.
Plenty of people I’ve met during my travels have had no idea where Kosovo is located. Many of them put it somewhere in Russia, or even Africa. Another bunch of them had never ever met a Kosovo citizen (I was their “sample”). There are many prejudices I see in people’s faces, how they react when I tell them I’m from Kosovo. The world doesn’t picture us as young Europeans, and to some extent they’re right.
How can we be young Europeans when it’s so difficult for us to visit European countries and get to know their culture and values. For instance, if I want to visit an EU country this month, I should have scheduled a visa appointment in January or February. I don’t have the possibility of just hopping on a bus/train, going to the airport and taking off to someplace. And this makes it harder for us (Kosovo citizens) to feel Europeans and for Europeans to see who we are. There’s a lot of question marks I’ve noticed in people’s heads over things, the situation, culture, religion, language and what now of Kosovo and we should be able to answer those questions ourselves and now have people form their opinions based on what they hear or read in who-knows-what media.
In addition, Kosovo is many times “expelled” when Balkans Tours are organized from different tour companies. So even when tourists visit this part of the planet they are not being shown the whole picture. One of the Lego pieces is missing, hence all the prejudice, hatred, and fear.
Using technology to promote the young European’s country – Kosovo
The best way I’ve found to promote my country and who we are is via social media and this blog. I’m glad I could convince few people so far to visit Kosovo. I’ve shared my recommendations on what to visit and where to stay/eat/drink with them (by emphasizing that Kosovo is safe – which is always a concern of people contacting me).
Read my short guide on what you should know before visiting Kosovo and if you still have questions, shoot me a message!
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I appreciate this post so much! As an American, the knowledge of how Kosovo citizens travel within their own continent is unheard of. Ignorance is not always bliss.
But the country is beautiful!
Thanks Siarra.
Would love to include Kosovo in my next travel to the Balkans. There’s no doubt that Kosovo is a beautiful country to explore. Thanks for promoting Kosovo!
Thanks Joy. Looking forward to hearing from you about your Balkan travels.
Your post opened my eyes to an issue I didn’t even know existed. Thank you. I hate that you have experienced this but I feel through your positive response you will open the eyes of more people. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading my post.
Honestly, I know very little about Kosovo. While I knew it was an Eastern European country, I had no idea it wasn’t recognized the way other countries in the EU are. I can imagine that would be so frustrating for someone who loves to travel outside of their own borders. I’ll be following you on Instagram to learn more!
Thank you, Kristi. It is really frustrating. Can’t plan and can’t make use of offers many times.
Really good idea to promote your country through social media. I know it can be very frustrating to be neglected, but you’re working to change that.. go you!
Thank you, Selam 🙂
I never realized how difficult it is to travel within the European Union. Kosovo looks like a beautiful place and I hope to visit one day soon! I’m glad you are able to promotor through social media!
Hi Christine,
Yeah, it’s a real hassle to travel with a Kosovo passport and lately, even getting a visa proves very difficult.
That is so crazy about not being able to travel freely in the EU – and with the country promoting its European sisterhood so to speak.
Honestly I am not 100% sure where Kosovo is … im going to google now 🙂
It is really crazy. Check out my other posts to learn more about Kosovo 🙂
I have a friend from Georgia who experiences the same long-visa waits when traveling to other countries, especially for an extended period of time. There’s so much talk about millennials traveling constantly, but often they leave out how difficult in can be forr some. Thanks for sharing.
On another note, Kosovo does look like a beautiful country 🙂
Hey Jasmine. Yes, there are privileged people who can just buy a flight ticket to almost anywhere and go. For us, it takes much more than that.
After reading your post it looks like a nice place to visit. I didn’t know much about Kosovo before now and I’m so glad you shared this, because now I have another place to add to my bucket list.
Thanks Nerissa,
Check out my other posts to learn more about Kosovo and hopefully I see you soon here 🙂
From all the pictures I’ve seen (and your picture) Kosovo looks absolutely beautiful. That’s awesome that you are trying to promote your pretty country. Every person I’ve ever met from Kosova has been so nice and welcoming, it must be a great country!
Thank you, Sarah. Yes, Albanians generally are hospitable and would go above and beyond to please guests.