Kosovo

Fatjona Halimi serving a client in the bakery
The internship helped Fatjona Halimi to discover her field of interest. © HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation & MDA

Fatjona Halimi, seller

“I am Fatjona Halimi from Gjilan (south-west Kosovo). I come from a family of businessmen. My father founded a welding firm and my three brothers work with him. From an early age, my father taught me the importance of the working world and practical work.

I studied Food Technology at the “Arberia” Agriculture School in Gjilan. Most of our lectures were theoretical. The school organised short study visits to some companies but that was not enough to put our knowledge into practice.

Last June I heard about this internship opportunity. Our Internship Coordinator, Mr Nehat Salihu, who is also a school director, informed all senior students about the benefits of the internship programme and about the internship procedures developed in cooperation with the Enhancing Youth Employment (EYE) Project. He also informed us that our school has renewed agreements with some companies who are offering placements for secondary schools students.

I saw an opportunity there, so I immediately filled in the application form. Then the internship coordinator informed me that I had been offered a placement at the “Aroma e Re” bakery in Gjilan.

I was really pleased because the internship placement was related to my field of study and it offered me an opportunity to apply my classroom learning in the workplace, for example preparing different pastries and dealing with customers. After I finished the internship programme, the manager of the bakery offered me a full-time job. Now I serve clients with their orders. 

I must say that the internship programme was very valuable to me as it helped me discover my field of interest. Now I’m sure that I want to advance my knowledge in the field of Food Technology. The internship also provided my first contact with my current employer and I’m really thankful for this opportunity.”    

Corresponding project

Enhancing Youth Empolyability (EYE)