AUK

Oladipupo Fasawe
AUK Summer Program
"When I reached the gate of the AUK, Manuela, an AUK alumnus took a minute to reminisce on her time at the university and said, "It's not too big, but it's powerful". After spending 3 months in Kosovo, I believe these words embody my experience at the AUK. During the annual AUK summer program I participated in, I had the opportunity to interact with both AUK students and professors. The students are resourceful and supportive in and out of class. They always ensured I had the necessary materials to prepare for class and never forgot to leave me with one or two handy Albanian words to get around town with. The students and professors share a relationship that makes the classroom experience fluid and enjoyable. The professors orchestrate the classes in a manner that provokes the mind to challenge the societal status quo. AUK has no doubt developed a recipe to cultivate a new generation of students who are ready to shake Kosovo, and the world at large".

Nue Nikolla, (class of 2010)
Operations Manager, Southern Oil Field Operations
AUK has been a place where I put myself to a test, and all four years have been both: a challenge and a wonderful time spent with AUK community. During my studies, I started a small business – a cafeteria – and I've been running it successfully for three years now. Right after AUK, May 2010, I served as a political advisor to the Minister of European Integration. After Central Elections in 2010, I started working as a freelance business consultant for a Kosovo construction company as well as for an American-Iraqi joint venture, where I am currently hired as Operations Manager in support of Southern Oil Field Operations project in Basrah, Iraq. I would describe AUK as a "door opener" to many career opportunities but the ultimate choice lies with the students who are to determine which path they will take, what they want to do with, and how they want to apply the knowledge they gained at AUK. American University in Kosova has a lot to offer – the question is: are you prepared to absorb all of it?!

Arta Koka, (class of 2008)
HR Manager, IPKO Telecommunications
At the very beginning of my studies at AUK I was no longer undecided about my future carrier – during the studies I obtained a clear and important path of my options in a thoughtful and productive way. Teachers were remarkable people! They stimulated my mind and inspired me to become who I wanted to be. I became the Economic advisor for Privatization and Foreign Investments issues of Ministers of Trade and Industry for three years. And now I am managing the Human Resource Department within IPKO Telecommunication Company. The knowledge taken from AUK helped me finished my MBA studies in record time and with great success. Honestly, it's worth investing in AUK as you are investing for your brilliant future!

Carolin Bengi, Germany
Senior
AUK is a great place to study because it does not just offer good teachers and courses, but it gives all of us a great opportunity for making new friends.I've had almost two years of studies there, and I'm looking forward  to the next two years. AUK is a university with reasonable Tuition fees that gives chances to students who cant afford to attend other American universities which have much higher fees.

Flake Sejfullahu, Prizren
Senior
I always wanted to achieve and attend in the University with best learning experience. American University in Kosovo has opened that door to me and changed my mind not to go abroad to study. From the first day that I came at AUK my life has been changed, growing my personality and develop my education level. Know as a sophomore student I can see that my future will be very different from what I had imagined. AUK is not just giving to me the best education experience but also an incredible working opportunity which will help me to explore my career level.

Besnik Vrella, (class of 2009)
Co-founder, SHTEPIAKU
After graduating from AUK I've continued to work on the company (www.shtepiaku.com) that together with my business partners initiated while studying at AUK. As of that time, SHTEPIAKU has experienced constant growth by becoming more professional and by increasing its presence in Kosova' market. Some of the credits for this development go to AUK which gave me the necessary tools to think in a more business-like manner. AUK embodied on me necessary tools to approach business more professionally at the same time with less stress. I would like to thank AUK for giving me opportunity to obtain more than just a Bachelors Degree.

Venera Mjekiqi, (class of 2009)
Advisor, Parliamentary Commission for European Integration in Kosovo Assembly
Studying at AUK has been a great choice of my life as it has not only given me access to high quality education and given me the opportunity to obtain an internationally recognized diploma by studying at home but, it has also been a great venue for making lifetime friends. After leaving AUK, the doors to my education abroad have widely been opened. I have found myself as competitive and competent as my peers in other universities and this is in recognition to AUK's high educational standards and its global environment. Thanks to that, I continue to be as competent in my job today and would strongly encourage everyone to make the choice I made a while ago by studying at AUK.

Vladan Jacimovic, Gjilan
Junior
Interesting experiences of older students, really professional faculty, challenging concentrations, and remarkably well-defined educational system overall are main reasons why I chose to study at AUK. I’ve been listening of great experience concerning this university from my brother who is AUK junior, and it made me decide to come and study here.  All encouraging stories I’ve heard are reality for me now.
I’m very satisfied with my decision.

Zylfije Muqolli, Prishtinë
Junior
Ever since I started AUK, my life somehow changed. I started to know more about American education system and I really like it. I noticed that American education system offers students an enormous variety of subjects and course options. It also offers international students different set of education in the world. I realized that being a student of AUK is the best thing that happened to me. I am very thankful to my parents who managed to get me to this great university and I am so glad I chose to study at AUK and obtain an American education. I would recommend to AUK everyone because is the best choice that they can ever make. Even though Europe has an excellent education system, I still believe that American education is the best. Everyone has a right to a higher education so why not to choose AUK?

Leutrim Blakaj, (class of 2008)
Chief Executive, Entermedia
In my experience, the value of getting an education relies heavily upon its application in real life. From an entrepreneur's perspective, AUK not only provides its students with a solid foundation of business principles and concepts but more importantly, it focuses on establishing the key relationship between the theory and practice of doing business. I have personally been very impressed with the quality of education I have received at AUK and I am grateful for the opportunity to have forged long-lasting relationships with many of the university alumnus and faculty. Highlights from my time spent at AUK include attending insightful and engaging lectures on a broad range of topics, and taking part in many creative student projects. I truly believe that education is not just about what you learn at university but rather what you make of it later in life, so I encourage all prospective students to take advantage of the opportunities AUK has to offer and try to make the most out of their academic and student experience.

Ardian Hasanaj, (class of 2009)
Co-Founder, Be In Kosovo
The benefits of studying at the American University in Kosovo (AUK) include not only understanding the concepts on economy, business development, management, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and public policy but also practicing and applying theories, thus giving insights in both perspectives. AUK has sharpened my appreciation of leadership and team work and I feel it has helped me become a capable, imaginative and reliable leader. Since graduating in 2009, I worked for a year in a World Bank funded project, and that experience left me convinced that working towards helping people build a better life through business, economic, and social development is what I want to do. Currently I am working as Communications, Performance and Research Manager at the USAID Young Entrepreneurs Program. At the same time, I am co-founder and owner of Be In Kosovo (www.beinkosovo.com) which is now a leading private inbound tourism and investment promotion agency in Kosova. ‎"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

Jeta Zagragja, (class of 2010)
Executive Assistant, ProCredit Bank
AUK has been the cornerstone of my ambitions and current-to-future plans. It has given me the work ethic, the discipline, and the skills that embody the principles of a competitive worker in the market. These habits denote the internalization for enduring success and happiness. The puzzle is complete only when I add the four years of professional working experience at American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo and ProCredit Bank Kosovo. After graduation, I continued working as the Executive Assistant in ProCredit Bank with extra responsibilities to manage different projects and working closely with the CEO. Working for ProCredit Bank has helped me gain a sense of responsibility and maturity, while strengthening the communicating and organizing skills. While I'm working to achieve that elusive balancing act between the professional and personal life, graduate business school is waiting down the corner.

Tyler Wetzel, Austin TX
Junior
I am from Austin TX in the United States. One of my main goals after high school was to get out of the city and see the world. So AUK was the perfect opportunity to go abroad and get a quality education. It's been an experience  that I won't soon forget. I got to immerse myself in the Albanian culture while in a friendly authentic atmosphere. AUK has been challenging, but well worth it.

Miguel Adames, West New York, NJ
Senior at RIT, Study Abroad at AUK
I am currently studying abroad here at AUK although I was born in Dominican Republic but reside in the United States. American University in Kosovo has shown me that students can still receive a great American education without actually having to be in the United States. My experiences in Kosovo have been memorable and I have learned a great deal here. When a person is immersed in a different culture, lifestyle and location, one realizes that the things that are seen as insignificant and taken for granted are actually the most important in life. Overall AUK is a school with much quality, a nice atmosphere, and great people.