During the last years, the number of Albanian students studying abroad has increased considerably. Thus, every year about 3 000 Albanian students face the decision of starting or continuing their studies in a foreign country. The overall number of Albanians studying abroad is thought to be around 25 000, mainly spread in Western Europe and the US.

According to the statistics of the International Network of Albanian Student Associations ALBSTUDENT, only 28% of these students express the desire of returning to Albania after their studies. This phenomenon is also one of the reasons of the present situation of the country with its innumerable problems. A massive return and the application of the accumulated knowledge in the country of origin would, without doubt, push forward the economic, political and social development of Albania and cause a change of mentality in the Albanian society.

For this reason, ALBSTUDENT is organising the project “Back for a Better Future”, which is a follow-up of the successful projects of last year “Internship 2005” and the student workshop “Return to Albania, a Challenge for Students Studying Abroad”. This year’s project, like its forerunner, aims at providing internships of one or more months near governmental institutions and the biggest private companies in Albania for 50 Albanian students studying abroad. These internships will serve to show the interns the reality of the work place in Albania and to establish contacts with the employers for a possible return of the students after their studies. Thus, one of the main objectives of this and other ALBSTUDENT activities is to motivate Albanian students abroad to return to their home country and provide them with the necessary assistance for reintegration in Albania.

For this initiative, we would like to thank all the institutions and companies that have contributed in helping us develop this project and that have shown interest in our work. It is important to stress this fact also because it shows what great opportunities are offered to students who decide to return to Albania after their studies.

For further information visit us at www.praktika-online.com and www.albstudent.net .

The project staff