Erasmus Mundus ALUMNI testimonial

The Crossways in European Humanities Erasmus Mundus program, to which I applied, offered a mobility track featuring some of the top universities in Europe. While this was undoubtedly one of the strongest reasons for my application, the program's unique option to design your own mobility by selecting the academic offerings of each participating university was the real draw. I applied to the program with the sense that I was crafting my own experience, and that feeling remained throughout the two years I spent studying in it.

I had completed my studies in Playwriting at the University of Prishtina’s Performing Arts Department and had already gained a few years of experience in the field. I worked as a cultural activist, developing projects that brought children’s social issues theater to remote villages. Additionally, I was engaged as a playwright on projects addressing the (then) recent war, focusing on the experiences of families of the missing. These efforts aimed to bridge the gap between dealing with the past and the medium of theater. I believe it was this distinctive profile I was shaping that made my application stand out.

My interest in arts and dealing with the past, memory and culture.

Academic Growth

I developed a deep interest in gender studies during my two years in the Crossways in European Humanities Erasmus Mundus program. My dissertation focused on a comparative gender study of contemporary French and English theater, exploring the works of key women playwrights. The program greatly enriched and broadened my understanding of gender, feminism, masculinity, and queer theory—areas I continue to explore professionally in both film and theater.

The highlight of my studies in the Erasmus Mundus program was the film studies course I took at St. Andrews University, which focused specifically on the cinema of small nations. It was the first time I encountered the concept, and it resonated with me immediately. The course offered a critical perspective on the cinema of countries in Europe and beyond that lacked fully developed film industries and were heavily invested in producing and supporting auteur cinema. It was an excellent example of how nations without a significant film tradition can stand out by refining their storytelling craft and bringing deeply rooted, local narratives to the screen, something we’re witnessing in Kosovo in the past years.

Cultural Exchange

Since the Erasmus Mundus program is designed for participants from all over the world, not just Europe, the community fostered by my program was incredibly diverse, and although I was studying in Europe, it felt as though I had traveled the globe. I gained valuable insights into distant countries I had never visited, broadening my understanding of cultures and perspectives from around the world.

There were no significant cultural challenges during my experience. However, adjusting to the academic culture did take some time, as it was the complete opposite of what I was used to back home. In Kosovo, we were taught to listen, take notes, and replicate everything we were told with precision. In contrast, the Crossways program encouraged us to develop our own opinions, openly challenge professors and fellow students with well-reasoned arguments, and think critically about everything we studied. The academic landscape in Kosovo has evolved significantly since then, but at the time, the difference between the two systems was startling.

Personal Development

One of the aspects I value most about this experience is the array of friendships I formed with people from all over the world. Some of these connections have lasted to this day.

Recommendations

An international academic experience is one of the greatest lifelong gifts you can give yourself. It offers the chance to broaden your perspectives, and gain a deeper understanding of the world. It opens doors to new opportunities, and a global network of connections that can enrich your life for years to come.