SAPS October Newsletter
Përshëndetje,
Welcome to the October edition of our monthly newsletter! As we embrace the fall season, we’re thrilled to share some updates, highlights, and inspiring stories from the SAPS community. This, too, has been a month filled with growth and connection, so here’s what’s new at SAPS:
This month:
Updates on our High School Mentorship Program
Our ongoing initiative, SAPS Scholar Spotlight
Latest on EaglePod
Recommended reads on Albania
Arbanon Magazine
SAPS reminders
1. High School Mentorship Program updates
We’re thrilled to share the impact of our High School Mentorship Program, where over fourty mentors from 33 U.S. institutions are now guiding high school mentees from across the United States, as well as Albania and Kosova. Our program’s growth has exceeded expectations, creating connections and support networks for students preparing for college. Our team at SAPS feels incredibly grateful to see this initiative thrive and we’re dedicated to reaching as many students as possible along their journey to college success. If you know of any students who may benefit, please pass this along — we’d love to expand our reach to your school. (link to interest form ahead)
By nurturing these mentor-mentee relationships, we aim to empower each new generation to achieve their goals, contribute to their communities, and carry forward the values of SAPS. We look forward to continuing to grow this program and supporting students as they work towards their educational goals!
What we offer:
▫️ Free & Accessible – The SAPS Mentorship Program is entirely free for students
▫️ Personalized Mentorship – Receive one-on-one guidance from successful college students across the diaspora
▫️ Tailored College Prep Support – Learn essential strategies for college applications, scholarships, and academic success
▫️ Intentional Strategies to Present Your Best Self – Get advice on showcasing your unique strengths and experiences beyond grades, helping you stand out to U.S. colleges
▫️ Lifelong Connections – Join a network of mentors and peers across the U.S., building a lasting community of support
2. SAPS Scholar Spotlight; Get Featured!
Through one of our ongoing efforts, the SAPS Scholar Spotlight (SSS), we are continuously looking to feature individuals who showcase a commitment to higher education through their academic or professional achievements. If you or another Albanian scholar are involved have kickstarted or are involved in an initiative that is worth highlighting, please fill out the SAPS Scholar Spotlight Form. It is important that we as a community recognize and encourage the work of our brightest students — yourself included.
There are no specific requirements to meet in order to be featured. Simply outline your journey and we will shine a Spotlight on it!
Recent Spotlights:
Ardita Bajraktari from Sacred Heart University in CT
Dion Ibishi from Northeastern University in MA
Era Thaqi from Princeton University in NJ
3. Latest on EaglePod
Our affiliated podcast, hosted by Lorena Culaj, recently featured two remarkable women: Mary Camaj, a Columbia University graduate and cultural advocate, and Arbana Xharra, an award-winning investigative journalist from Kosova.
-Episode 18: Mary Camaj
In this episode, Mary Camaj shares her journey as a Columbia University graduate and cultural advocate, highlighting her deep involvement in the Albanian community alongside her dedication to preserving invaluable traditions.
-Episode 19: Arbana Xharra
On this episode, the renowned investigative journalist from Kosova, discusses her fearless reporting on religious extremism, corruption, and human rights issues, including her experiences as an International Women of Courage Award recipient.
4. Recommended reads on Albania
Our latest Dose Of Albania featured Edith Durham, the fearless British woman who fell in love with Albania’s wild mountains and brave people. Known as the “Queen of the Highlanders,” Edith dedicated her life to exploring and sharing the untold stories of Albanian culture during the early 1900s. Her deep connection with the Albanian people went beyond her travels, as she became their advocate during tough political times.
Here’s a list of Edith Durham's notable works on Albania and the Balkans, where she immortalized her love for Albanians and the region’s untamed spirit:
High Albania (1909) – Durham’s most famous work, detailing her adventurous travels through the rugged Albanian mountains and her deep admiration for the people she met.
The Burden of the Balkans (1905) – A vivid portrayal of Balkan culture and society, capturing the complexities of the region’s politics and conflicts.
Twenty Years of Balkan Tangle (1920) – A reflection on two decades of Durham’s experiences in the Balkans, offering unique perspectives on the area’s turbulent history.
5. Arbanon Magazine
One of our editors, Enri Lala, recently published a new article based on original archival research detailing the surprising link between Enver Hoxha's regime and Southern African anti-colonial movements. It presents a new lens through which to view the notoriously isolationist dictatorship’s role in the broader Cold War order.
5. SAPS Community GroupMe!
We’d like to remind you to join our SAPS Community GroupMe! Our members have used this platform to promote impactful new projects, share music and traditions or to simply discuss what their Albanian identity means to them.
Whatever your interests are, you will find a space and peers to support you here.
As we close out for this month, we would like to take a minute to reflect on the power of mentorship. Since its founding stages, SAPS has been shaped by the dedication of countless mentors – individuals who have guided and supported our mission at every step. We recognize that mentorship is at the forefront of growth and success, and that without our mentors, our community would not enjoy anywhere near the strength it currently holds.We hope that with endeavors such as our mentorship program, we can continue to foster a legacy of learning, guidance, and mutual support that strengthens not only individual students but our entire community as a whole.
Until next time!
Gjithë të mirat,
The SAPS Newsletter Team
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