Project Description

Kosovo is a new nation rich in history, cultural diversity, natural beauty, and hospitality. A mountainous country with ample hiking trails and centuries-old cultural heritage sites, Kosovo is home to Albanian, Bosniak, Serb, Turkish, Roma, Askhali, Egyptian, Gorani communities. Peace Corps Volunteers serving in Kosovo are participating in a significant and exciting period of growth and development in this fascinating and complex multicultural nation. Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and its citizens, including its vibrant young population, are working to strengthen and create opportunities for their futures. The people of Kosovo are hospitable towards Americans and the Peace Corps Volunteers who leave lasting impacts on their communities. Since 2014, Volunteers have worked alongside counterparts in public schools and non-governmental organizations across Kosovo. Together, they have inspired students and expanded opportunities for youth and women. Kosovo is a small, emerging nation with tremendous potential and opportunities for creating positive change.

English Education Volunteers work as primary and secondary school English teachers. Volunteers will be paired with a local English language teacher in a co-teaching classroom setting, with a focus on integrating student-centered methodologies, improving lesson planning, and classroom management. In addition to classroom teaching, Volunteers will work with the school administration to identify school needs, share resources, develop teaching materials, and become involved in community and school-based projects. By the end of their service, Volunteers are encouraged to develop a resource toolkit to share with their school for future use. Volunteers are also required to organize and facilitate extracurricular activities to develop life skills among students and youth, which may include clubs and/or camps in their communities.

Volunteer duties consist of the following:
• Co-teach with Kosovar teachers in the classroom;
• Prepare joint lesson plans with other teachers;
• Prepare interactive teaching aids, games, classroom materials using locally available resources;
• Develop English language-centered extra-curricular activities such as English clubs, youth clubs, drama clubs, summer youth camps, and other youth leadership activities that promote volunteerism;
• Co-facilitate school and/or community-based projects;
• Share American traditions and culture with students and colleagues;
• Participate in school events and events connected with Kosovo’s traditions.

Other expectations include:
• Demonstrate independence, self-initiative, flexibility, open-mindedness, and commitment to serve.
• Possess an attitude of humility and curiosity towards other cultures.
• Exhibit adaptability and a willingness to sensitively communicate when confronting challenges.
• Demonstrate empathy and a willingness to view situations from multiple perspectives.

COVID-19 Volunteer Activities

As a Volunteer, you will be trained in how to best protect yourself from COVID-19 exposure and understand the impact of and steps to reduce stigma related to COVID-19. You may also have the opportunity to engage with your community on implementing or enhancing COVID-19 mitigation activities, such as COVID-19 prevention and risk reduction strategies including social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, addressing myths and misconceptions related to these practices, and vaccine hesitancy. Activities will be tailored to address the COVID-19 circumstances in the communities where you will serve.

Required Skills

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English.

Desired Skills

• Experience in early childhood, middle school, or secondary education.
• Experience teaching English and/or English as a foreign language.
• Experience teaching non-formal education to adults.
• Experience planning and organizing non-formal educational activities (clubs, camps, sports activities, etc.) for youth.

Living Conditions

English Education Volunteers will live in villages or small towns (population 500 – 5,000). While some locations in Kosovo have good infrastructure and aspects of modern living, others do not. Homes generally have access to electricity, running water, and modest living conditions. Rooms are furnished with very basic furniture, and not every family member has their own bedroom. Family members, guests and neighbors spend many hours together in the common rooms of the house during the cold winter seasons. In the summer, patios or balconies are common shared spaces. Social and cultural norms, as well as high rates of unemployment, contribute to the frequent and extensive use of shared living areas as sometimes multiple generations live under one roof.

Volunteers live with host families for a minimum of 9 months of service in their communities in order to facilitate community integration, language acquisition, and cultural adaptation, unless COVID mitigation measures require independent or semi-independent housing arrangements. Host families provide living space with a secure, private bedroom with basic furniture, a shared bathroom and kitchen. Volunteers in Kosovo often choose to live with their host families for 27 months as it as an important continuous learning experience that allows deeper understanding of the Kosovar culture. In general, in small communities and even in larger cities, there are few affordable options available for Volunteers to live independently. Integration with a family is important for community engagement. Kosovars generally live together in larger, multi-generational households with typical gender roles and norms. Concepts of privacy and independence in Kosovo are often different from the norms and expectations of most Americans. Most families will expect Volunteers to spend much of their free time with the family.

Spring and fall months are mild with some rainfall, while summers are hot and dry. Winter lasts from November to March with some snowfall, similar to the Mid-Atlantic area of the U.S. However temperatures may feel colder because few homes have central heating. The majority of homes in Kosovo use wood stoves for heating just one room of the house where everyone gathers in during the cold months. Homes, schools, and office buildings typically do not have central heating or air-conditioning. Cigarette smoking inside households is common.

Kosovo is a conservative culture with traditional gender norms. Women may be expected to perform routine domestic chores such as cooking, cleaning, and serving coffee to guests. Men generally work outside the household as the primary breadwinner and perform household repairs. Kosovars are generally tolerant of different religions, but outward displays of religious symbols, such as wearing crosses or hijabs, are discouraged. In smaller communities, there are more conservative views regarding alcohol consumption, sexual orientation, gender identity, dress and social activities. Larger towns and cities may have different views. Kosovars are generally known for their generous hospitality and graciousness and have favorable impressions of United States citizens. However, Volunteers of an American racial, ethnic, or national minority or whose religious or spiritual beliefs differ from the majority of the country of service may experience challenges related to curiosity or unwanted attention. Volunteers are encouraged to use these moments as opportunities to deepen local community members’ understanding of U.S. diversity by sharing their values and experiences. Staff will address these topics during Pre-Service Training and identify support mechanisms for incoming trainees such as various discussion panels with diverse PCVs, Volunteer led committees with focus on diversity and inclusion, peer support networks, etc.

Serving in Kosovo

Learn more about the Volunteer experience in Kosovo: Get detailed information on culture, communications, housing, health, and safety -- including health and crime statistics -- in order to make a well-informed decision about serving.

Couples Information

Peace Corps Kosovo can accommodate couples serving in different sectors (English Education and Community Organizational Development combination). Under special circumstances, a couple where both are serving in TEFL or COD might be able to be accommodated. During Pre-Service Training, couples are offered the option to either live together or live separately. Living separately during training can assist with quicker language acquisition and cultural integration.
Couples -are generally well regarded and treated with respect. They typically encounter fewer integration issues because marriage between a man and a woman is a common convention. Couples live with a host family for at least 9 months of their service (if COVID conditions permit). They may be extended a bit more privacy in the household.
During pre-service training, couples have the option to live with different families or together. During their service as Volunteers, couples are placed with host families, but may have more independent living space (an apartment on a separate floor of a large family home).

Medical Considerations

Before you apply, please review Medical Information for Applicants to learn about the medical clearance process.

---

Does this sound like the position for you?
Get started on your journey.

Apply Now