AUK

American University in Kosovo
Founded in 2002 by the donations of
the people of Kisovo, through
the Union Fund for the
Reconstruction of Kosova (UFORK)
Dr Bujar Bukoshi, Chairman
and with the strong support of the
Government of Kosovo
Dr Bajram Rexhepi, Prime Minister
This Campus generously donated by
the Municipality of Prishtina, 2004
Buildings renovated through a gift from
MABETEX Group
Mr Behgjet Pacolli, President

My experience at The American University in Kosovo (AUK) has so far been a pleasant one. All the students, faculty and staff have been very friendly and for the most part have all spoken English. Any that could not speak English either tried their best of found someone that could, to translate for them.

In my short time here (6 days)I have learned quite a bit about their culture and the way of life around here. People seem to love Americans and will gladly help out if they can (I think partially due to how much help the US has given in the past but I am still trying to understand.)

Last Wednesday I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Dr. Chris Hall (President of AUK). Aside from our conversation about bring a piece of the Innovation Center to Kosovo and the current projects that are taking place next week with the visiting RIT students (my self included).

I asked him "What would you tell someone that is interested in studying at the AUK, or even someone that doesn't know a thing about Kosovo?"
His response and one of the best I have heard was something like,
Kosovo is a place that you can experience a rich European culture as well as have the opportunity to safely learn about the after effects of war and see first hand a rebuilding country. He also when into how RIT students will grow and learn to be great people that will end up contributing a lot. Here in Kosovo, especially at AUK, students are growing and learning to be the future to this new country.

Inner workings of my place

So if you know me then you would understand my desire to understand the things around me and that i love to tinker and explore everything.

This bring me to what i found in my apartment...


First the circuit breaker. Yeah i know that it is necessary to have one and that this one is particularity nice to look at but why would you say it is over the main door way. I guess its cool if you need someone to come in and look at it.


In the bath room (yes i know i am weird...) the toilet is something very strange to me. Having worked as a plumbing associate at the Home Depot i know my toilets.
First of all it as a very shallow water depth and very small trap. The entire tank is plastic and is connected at the bottom with a plastic (pvc?) pipe system, down into the bowl. Inside the tank has 2 major parts, the fill valve and what looks like a flush valve. The fill valve works similar to one that you would find in America but does not have a float. The flush valve is like nothing i have seen before. It kind of reminds me of a coke bottle with the bottom cut off. (Thicker of course) that covers the hole in the bottom with what seams to be no seals or washers. No handle no chain to fix (I just think it was kind of cool.)


This is the showers hot water heater. I know it was common in Europe and in some other country's, but to have this type of thing in the United States is almost unheard of for some reason. (I think there cool)
About 30 minuets before you take a shower you flip a switch that turns on the hot water. The main reason for this is hot water and that it saves energy by not having to keep the water hot all day. Especially when you do not using the shower all day.
For me its a little weird that it is in the shower with me and that it stands on the shower wall. It is set at a weird height that makes it a "bump-in head experience".

I think that it is not something that would please people because they have to wait to take a shower, when they want it now!


When it comes to hot water now why not get an instant hot water heater for your kitchen sink. Very how water when you want it with no excessive water storage or wasted energy.

Home away from home

So after my arrival we ventured out around and found my apartment. As you can see i was a little scared at the entrance of the place. I walked up the 4 flights of stairs with my luggage and found my door "room 17". After learning how to open the door i walked inside to find a very nice apartment.







The first thing was the kitchen, it was nice and clean and white. I found my bed room, put my stuff down and then started to explore. The rest of the place.










The bathroom to the Living room, every familiar but at the same time a little different from what I am use to. From all the appliances being electric to the look and flow of the place.
Another thing that was a little weird was the warnings that the city turns off the water and sometimes the power in some areas at night to conserve. Luckily I don't lose my power but i do lose my water at night around 11pm.
All and all my apartment is very nice and I could not ask for more.