Skip to main content

Life with Entela

Albanian Cuisine in the UK

Exploring how Albanian students maintain their culinary traditions in the UK, including favorite dishes, recipes, and where to find authentic Albanian cuisine.                                                Byrek A savory pie made with layers of filo pastry and filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. In the UK, Albanian students might attempt to recreate Byrek in shared kitchens or during cultural events. They might also search for local bakeries or specialty shops that offer ready-made or frozen Byrek, providing a taste of home away from home. Byrek holds cultural significance in Albania, often associated with family gatherings, celebrations, and festivals. It's not just a dish but a tradition passed down through generations, with each family having its own recipe and method of preparation.                     ...

Entela's life as an Albanian student in the UK


My name is Entela Haxhiaj and I recently moved to the United Kingdom as an International student from Albania. Moving abroad seem to be very tough in the beginning due to academic and culture challenges. I finished the Bachelor in Foreign Languages in University of Vlora (Albania), since I was getting pretty good and I wanted to pursue my studies at the postgraduate level, I start researching for master's degrees in Marketing that would take me to the United Kingdom. My research led me to choose London as my city of choice and Ulster University, mainly because the University was recognised in Europe and its polices matched what I was looking for. There was also the benefit of professors from different Universities across the world joining to teach at Ulster University.

Some of my friends also recommended travelling and studying in United Kingdom as they had such great experiences. This got me even more excited. Once I was accepted on to the programme, I had to start the visa application right away because I am not a European Union citizen. The process lasted from September to December 2022, mainly because communication with the Albanian consulate was difficult and because the UK government and the Albanian consulate had to authenticate my bachelor’s degree and the official transcript. But at the end, everything was sorted out also with the help of my agent that made the process of  visa application runs more smoothly. 

Before leaving Albanian for United Kingdom, I was understandably nervous. Even though the societies are similar, every aspect of my life was about to change. I had not visited the UK before, and living an entire year in the country was a much bigger challenge. I would say that I adapted quite rapidly, mainly because I speak quite well English, but also because Britain's are welcoming and easy to approach. I would recommend studying in London as an undergraduate or postgraduate student. There are several high-quality Universities with professors who are attentive, knowledgeable and welcoming (from my experience and from stories of friends I met who were also studying before in London). 

Currently, I'm in my second semester and by the end of the next year 2024 I will be graduating for Marketing and I will highly recommend United Kingdom and especially Ulster University for all the Albanian students seeking a great experience and a diploma that is recognised in Europe. Ulster is giving the possibility to the international students to meet with different people and to adopt with a variety of culture, which was a challenge for me in the beginning and now I have made a lot of friends from different countries and backgrounds. 

Comments

  1. Your journey as an Albanian student in the UK is both inspiring and relatable. Thank you for shedding light on this incredible journey.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts