"Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them" — it's a quote I live by, and one that captures exactly why I applied to the Young Cell Scheme.

The Young Cell Scheme (YCS) is a master's degree scholarships programme co-funded by the EU and the Kosovo Government, designed to support public administration reform in Kosovo and align it with best European practices. Each round, and there were 16 so far, targets specific fields based on institutional needs, and the application process moves through an initial expression of interest, a written exam, and an interview stage.

When I applied, I had graduated with a Bachelor's in Public Administration, Political Science and Diplomacy. I knew I wanted to specialise further — specifically in public and cultural diplomacy — and a master's degree felt like the right next step.

My interest in public diplomacy wasn't purely academic. For nearly half a decade, I had been a Young European Ambassador (YEA), a volunteer initiative established in 2020 as part of the EU Regional Communication Programme for the Western Balkans. Through that experience, I came to understand just how central public diplomacy is to influencing change on a broader scale. It's something I find genuinely remarkable: the European Union shaped my interest in public diplomacy through the YEA network and then, through the YCS, gave me the means to pursue it.

I successfully completed all phases of the selection process and ranked first among all candidates across every sector in my round. This result gave me the freedom to choose any academic programme within the EU — and I chose one of the few universities offering a dedicated Master's in public and cultural diplomacy. In October 2025, I moved to Rome, Italy to begin my studies.

The experience was transformative. I attended lectures by leading experts — people whose names I had encountered in textbooks — visited institutions across the field, and met peers from diverse backgrounds who challenged and expanded my thinking. It was exactly the kind of environment I had been looking for.
What makes the YCS particularly special is what comes after. Upon completing my degree, I returned home and was placed in a role aligned directly with my area of study. Since November 2025, I have been serving as a Senior Officer for Cultural and Sports Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. It is a privilege to bring fresh knowledge and first-hand experience into a role where I know my work contributes to something larger than myself.

Beyond the scholarship itself, the YCS offered continuous support, a community of driven peers, and a clear pathway back into public service. For anyone who feels strongly about pursuing higher education — and who wants that education to translate into meaningful contribution at home — I would recommend this opportunity without hesitation.