FELLOWS HANDBOOK Albania 2013

68 Pages·2013·1.46 MB·English

WELCOME
HANDBOOK

FOR FULBRIGHT
and
ENGLISH
LANGUAGE
FELLOWS

IN ALBANIA

2013-2014

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
US EMBASSY
TIRANA, ALBANIA

CONTENTS
MAP OF ALBANIA ..................................................................................................................................... 1
WELCOME! ............................................................................................................................................... 3
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN ALBANIA ................................................................................................... 5
COUNTRY OVERVIEW: ALBANIA AT A GLANCE ........................................................................................ 7
PREPARING TO COME TO ALBANIA ........................................................................................................ 17
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO BRING ........................................................................................................ 17
SHIPPING ................................................................................................................................................... 17
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO PACK...................................................................................................................... 19
PLANNING YOUR ARRIVAL IN ALBANIA ..................................................................................................... 19
LIVING AND WORKING AS A FELLOW IN ALBANIA .................................................................................. 23
HOUSING ................................................................................................................................................... 23
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................................... 23
FOOD ......................................................................................................................................................... 24
MEDICAL CARE .......................................................................................................................................... 24
TRANSPORTATION ..................................................................................................................................... 24
MAIL .......................................................................................................................................................... 24
TELEPHONE ................................................................................................................................................ 25
CARS .......................................................................................................................................................... 25
FAMILIES .................................................................................................................................................... 25
TRAVEL ...................................................................................................................................................... 25
PERSONAL SAFETY ..................................................................................................................................... 26
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................................................... 26
WORK SETTINGS AND ROUTINES .............................................................................................................. 29
LETTERS FROM CURRENT FULBRIGHT AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE FELLOWS ............................................ 31
RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION .................................................................................................. 37
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALBANIA ............................................................................................... 37
CURRENT NEWS SITES/ONLINE ARTICLES ABOUT ALBANIA ...................................................................... 37
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SITES WITH COVERAGE OF ALBANIA .................................................... 38
INFORMATION AND TRAVEL ..................................................................................................................... 38
ALBANIAN LANGUAGE ............................................................................................................................... 38
RECOMMENDED BOOKS ............................................................................................................................ 38
USEFUL CONTACTS ................................................................................................................................. 41
PHOTOS OF ALBANIA ............................................................................................................................. 43
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix A: Packing List ....................................................................................................................... 45
Appendix B: Information on Applying for Residency Permit ................................................................ 49
Appendix C: Local Resources ................................................................................................................ 53

MAP OF ALBANIA

1
2
WELCOME!
Congratulations on your acceptance of the invitation to be a Fulbright or English Language
Fellow in Albania! Fellows have served in Albania since the first moments of the country's
emergence as a new democracy in 1991. Since then, over fifty Fulbright, and about twenty five
English Language Fellows have served the country, conducting such activities as teaching
American Literature and Civilization, English as a Second Language, Finance and Accounting,
Journalism, or researching on topics such as Albanian archeology, police reform, Albanian
language and linguistics, the Muslim community in Albania and more.

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana views these programs as key tools of exchange and capacity building
between Albanians and Americans. Not only do they play a vital role in supporting the
development of skills of Albanian students in universities and Albanian professionals working in
government and other institutions; they also promote important cross-cultural exchange and a
sharing of values and ideas that encourages greater understanding and friendship between our
two countries.

The Public Affairs Office staff looks forward to working with you as you prepare for your arrival
and to supporting you once you are here and begin your position.

Elizabeth Lewis
Public Affairs Officer
3
4