Ç’kemi, Ç’kemi to everyone! :)

I am Anablava, but it's probably easier for you to call me Ani or Annie. I was born in Shkodra, a northern Albanian city, on a sunny Monday in June, a hot month in degrees and in politics. When I saw the light for the first time, demonstrations were going on both in Albania and Kosovo. There was political unrest in Albania that eventually brought about the tearing down of the then-current regime and there were independence movements in Kosovo as a result of the breakup of Yugoslavia. When I saw the light for the first time, communism in Albania was over, and a new era had begun: that of democracy.

I am proud that something so important for my country, and for many others, began when I was born. This close connection with politics brought me here, where I am now as the first and only student from Albania studying International Politics and History at Jacobs. Other parts of my country's history have affected my life, even without me realizing it at the time. These include the Kosovo War, the immigration problem, an ecstatic love for the USA and big dreams of being a part of NATO and the EU one day. I remember hearing a speech on the radio, and the words that sparked my interest in international relations: Albania needs diplomats. Albania needs people who have studied international politics and international relations. Albania needs diplomacy. This is completely understandable when one keeps in mind that Albania has been secluded from the international arena for more than a dozen years. Presently, Albania is progressing. It is now more than ever a part of Europe culturally, and it is struggling to be accepted into the European Union at any price. Oh, I love to compare my major to a kind of training for how to play with fire in the Balkans.

Until I traveled to Germany, I spent my entire life in the same town. Even though the whole city can be seen on feet in three hours, it is one of the biggest and most important cities in Albania. Shkodra is known as the cradle of culture, and as the source of humor and jokes. The lifestyle of my town is relaxed, positive and full of energy. We are known for our hospitality. You are always welcomed to visit me, and as a saying goes we’ll provide at least “buk e kryp e zemer” (bread, salt and heart). Though I lived with my parents who always inspired me, I spent most of my time with my grandmother, the most important person in my life. Mami Tush, Të du shumë!

After graduation from high school, I was anxious to see the rest of the world. That was when I heard about Jacobs University from a friend. It sounded like the perfect place for me. It had the major I wanted to pursue, and the international aspect that I longed for. Seeking new experiences is a part of who I am, and I would say I'm trying to make out the most out of this chance. I've tried Yoga, Oriental Dance, Soccer, Ballroom Dancing, Martial Arts, Debating Society and much more!

I am also an arts lover. I have been acting since I was a little child, and later also in my city's theater. I also love painting, if I am allowed to give that name to my mixing of colors. However, since I came to Jacobs it became hard to keep up with all of these hobbies. I love learning languages here, and at the moment I am trying to learn German and Spanish. Besides my mother tongue Albanian, I can speak English, Italian and Turkish, and a few words of Cantonese.

By the way, with regard to the languages, my roommate is the biggest help ever. I practice Spanish and German with her. Besides that, she is the funniest and coolest person I have ever lived with. Our apartment is a factory of laughter, and honestly sometimes we get calls to stop laughing! Furthermore, I really enjoy our long talks, our coffee evenings, and our wine drinking times. We even have our cool Latin music that brings such a nice atmosphere. Another really good friend of ours lives across the hallway. Sometimes, we just keep the doors open, and then it feels like the entire floor lives together. Yes indeed, living here is fun. So fun, it's hard to find the time for everything, since Mercator is a huge, living family full of activities, Cheer-ups and CIDs (by the way the Albanian one is on 29th of April ;). Mercator is full of interesting cool people to get to know and spend your time with. I realized that actually once in here, time stops existing. Or better said we stop caring because it flies so fast that there is no way to control it. I really can’t believe that I am already halfway through with my time here. Time flies indeed. But for right now, I am just full of dreams… full of passion to reach them; full of life… after all isn’t that what Jacobs is all about?