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| Harvard University headquarters |
At the beginning of the year, the list of foreign languages taught at Harvard University added the Albanian language. This came in response to the request of Albanian-American students and with the support of Albanian-American staff at the university's administration, VOA reports.
This is the second semester of offering the Albanian language course at Harvard.
Colleague Burim Goxhuli was in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Harvard University is located, and provides more details about this program.
Albanian, an elective subject in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University, is offered at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced, depending on students' proficiency.
Lecturer Faton Limani says that students who choose the Albanian language not only learn the basics of the language.
"Students learn the language's structure, grammar, and morphology, but also speaking, writing, and reading. Additionally, as a lecturer, besides the basic things students need to learn to speak and write Albanian, I have included the cultural and historical aspect. Each semester, students give a presentation on specific topics, such as the history of the Albanian language's alphabet, the history of Albanians, or folklore, music, and other traditions," says Mr. Limani to Voice of America.
Albanian-American student Edona Çosoviç was the one who submitted the request last summer for the Albanian language to become part of the curriculum at the prestigious American university.
The Political Science student was born in the United States to Albanian parents from Montenegro.
In an interview with Voice of America, Edona says that her desire to learn more about her origin is what prompted her to seek the inclusion of the Albanian language program at Harvard.
"This is an important reason to have this course at Harvard. I have wanted to learn the language; it is essential to me. Both of my parents are Albanian. I want my children to speak Albanian as well. But I also want to have the culture. I want to learn more about the history of Albania. I am Albanian from Montenegro and I don't know all the events in Albania and Kosovo. Now, little by little, in each class, I learn more," she says to Voice of America.
Kevin Dervishi, an Albanian-American student with roots from Tirana, also chose Albanian language classes.
"Maybe I shouldn't say this on television, but I haven't told my family yet because I want to surprise them with better Albanian and to be closer to the Albanian community. One day, when my Albanian is much better, I will tell them what I have learned. I can't wait to surprise them," he says.
Kevin is continuing his doctoral studies in cancer biology at Harvard.
He says that after choosing Albanian language classes, his ability to express himself has significantly improved.
"I am very happy because when I was young, I forgot all of my Albanian. But now, I will practice the language and speak it again," he says.
Edona Çosoviç says that preserving the language is the best way to maintain connections with her family.
"My parents are very proud of me because they have always wanted me to be very close to my culture and my family. When you are more connected to your culture, it is easier to be closer to your family. The Albanian culture is to be closer to your family and to maintain connections with your community. They are very proud of me, even those in Montenegro. They always ask about me. I am very happy," she says.
Edona is one of the leaders of the Albanian-American student association at Harvard.
She says that there are currently 12 Albanian-American students at Harvard.
This network serves as an information source for all young Albanian students who want to study at this university.
"When I first came into this program, I immediately got to know other Albanian students who were a few years ahead of me. I had the opportunity to learn from them. Over the years at the university, I got to know and helped young Albanian students. We are a community that supports each other," says Albanian-American student Kevin Dervishi.
This is the first year that the Albanian language is offered as a subject at Harvard, and currently, there are 5 students, 3 of whom are Albanian-Americans.
Harvard is the only one among the most famous and prestigious American universities that offers the Albanian language.
Besides him, the Albanian language is taught in several other American institutions such as Arizona State University, DePaul University and Mercy College in New York.
"I invite all Albanians, wherever they are in universities in the United States and abroad, to see how they can start an elective course, or an Albanian language course, or even students, for example, in universities different people can start a student club which is organized around the Albanian language and Albanian culture in general", says Mr. Limani.
Mr. Limani adds that his goal is that in the future, as students' interest in the Albanian language increases, a center for Albanian studies will be established at Harvard University.