“I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE”!

As a student in the last year of studies in high school, from the research I do on the internet, the most common are those for educational opportunities outside of my country. I think and hope that changes will happen in the next few years, but I don’t know if I’m the one who will celebrate these changes, because as I said before, my dream is to use my abilities elsewhere.

Each and every day, more Kosovar youth are expressing the desire to leave Kosovo because of the lack of opportunities to express their knowledge, talent or abilities in certain fields.

This comes precisely due to an inadequate functioning of employment and education in our country. And now it’s been years since this phenomenon isn’t even considered a main problem by the heads of our country and by the relevant ministries and directorates. While we have young people who have degrees (bachelors, masters and even doctorates) that are just decorations in their houses.

Because of this young men and women are forced to work in professions that they don’t want, professions that aren’t in accordance to their titles of degrees.

The “trend” of being employed abroad is not something new for us. Regardless it’s a situation which continues to grow. States which offer relatively good conditions for Kosovar youth. A report by the Ministry of internal Affairs of Kosovo says that for the period 2013-2017 35 thousand civilians have migrated out of the country. While the Kosovo Agency of Statistics says that during this period around 170 thousand civilians have migrated (including here irregular/illegal migration). According to the experts one of the main reasons of young people’s escape is the lack of job opportunities. Because they don’t have political support they cannot find a job place. Nepotism these days is largely present in Kosovo. Experts agree that in these cases (of migration) there are people of professions differing to what they got a degree for. Their desire to have a better future and “make money” pushes them to take such decisions.

As a result of this, youth is escaping Kosovo, a phenomenon we’ve known in the Balkans for many years. And these western states are those that are profiting the most, because of our labor in fields/professions that youth there simply doesn’t do. And another phenomena that they’re victorious on is the birth rate, because statistics show that in the upcoming years, the average age will be above 60%?.

Precisely because of seeing these actions, I’m also the one who doesn’t see a future in my country. This is a sad truth, but it pushes me to make all of my dreams reality, but not in Kosovo. This comes firstly as a result of nepotism as a factor. Because of this I’ve been aware for some time now that because I don’t have any strong connections or political support, it will impact in my professional aspect in the near future. The State of Kosovo for many years hasn’t worked enough in the field of economic development (which is also a strong reason of the migration), hasn’t created new reforms in education, has employed people (as I mentioned before) with familial or political ties, and not based on meritocracy. Because of the failure of these systems in our country, I’m not motivated to start studying here and much less find a job. This comes as a result of me being aware that my degree will not be represented in my job.

As a student in the last year of studies in high school, from the research I do on the internet, the most common are those for educational opportunities outside of my country. I think and hope that changes will happen in the next few years, but I don’t know if I’m the one who will celebrate these changes, because as I said before, my dream is to use my abilities elsewhere. Somewhere where labor is rewarded. Somewhere where there’s no nepotism.

And as my fellow young peers: “I want to get out of here”!

About the author: Blenda Kurshumliu, 17 years old from Mitrovica, is a high school student.