Brain Drain 1999-2003 by spierzchala@flickr.com

                                                   Author: Angela Velkova

I often dreamt of reaching new horizons, stretching myself to the limit, throwing myself into new challenges, of some organized society with innumerable opportunities for every young person calling upon me…hence, when the opportunity came, I couldn’t resist it. For one academic year I was diligently studying in the USA. The new world I saw and experienced did not let me enter into an emotional crisis. I avow that I did not have time to feel homesick. However, deep down, I harbored a desire to return home, back in my Macedonia. A Country most commonly seen by its citizens as a temporary place of residence where they were “doomed” to be born and witness the harsh implications of a transition era. Country where young people are triggered by the same drive to pursue their happiness abroad; however, the drive to return back in their country of origin never overrides their motives to stay in a foreign land.

Yes, I find the perpetual drain of young brains, or the so-called brain drain process, as the main cause for the poor economic and social progress of my country. Attesting the 20^th independence anniversary of Macedonia, I contemplate about the brief but turbulent history of a country close to my age, country that was maturing along with entire generation of young enthusiasts who are now on the threshold of undertaking their future roles in society. In reality though, what this generation has withstood during its development years are massive job layoffs, high unemployment rate, large-scale corruption, stagnation in the economic growth, low standards of living, ubiquitous poverty, and ethnic conflicts. So I ask myself a question: Should I or anyone else, be surprised about the current situation with lack of competent and motivated young people to stay and create in Macedonia? Should we only blame it on the “relentlessly” ambitious young people who use every single opportunity to “wander around”, or maybe we should first look closely at the myriad of reasons underlying their decisions to depart and never return back?

Brain Drain by what what@flickr.com

Naturally, I shall start with the hidden and not so apparent causes of youth migration with reflection on both past and current economic and political surroundings.  As all politicians prefer to pass the buck on preceding governments and regimes, I hereby aver that I shall not exclude any period from this short synopsis looking far before the Independence Day of 1991.

Namely, more than a century ago, young men from my country were parting from their fiancés or young wives, embarking on an agonizing journey towards a better world away from their motherland. They were forced to depart mainly because of poverty, economic crisis and political instability. Therefore, they were leaving abroad their best years, their health and sometimes even their lives. Many of them never returned to their homeland. The strife for earnings and better life deeply suppressed in them the innate and natural desire to go back to the roots. Driven by this inexhaustible source of inspiration, our national writers put into verse the sorrow of the farewell, the happiness of the reunion and the grief for the forever lost family ties.

While part of the Yugoslav Federation, or as seniors favor to say, in its “golden years”, Macedonia has actually served as a fertile resource center for supplying other member-countries with raw materials further manufactured on their soil. Apparently, however, Macedonians seemed to be fine with acting as farmers as long as they all had their equal portion of the budget pie on the 1^st of the month. For the ones that the former was unacceptable and unfair, they sought their just treatment in the more developed countries within the federation. This has resulted in a steady growth of Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian economies at the expense of Macedonian technological backwardness and economic decline.

Although the example mentioned above might seem remote and dating from socialist times, the current situation is somewhat similar and unaltered. Macedonian exports are still encompassing mainly raw materials that once manufactured abroad are again imported in Macedonia with a significant amount of added value. Recalling Smith’s theory in this particular case, we shall focus our efforts on producing raw materials rather than developing our own technology for manufacturing them. Why would someone “attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy” (Smith 1776)? Unfortunately, Macedonian adhering to this maxim has rated the country as one of the poorest countries in Europe with underdeveloped industry and infrastructure.

Migration By Niels van Hofslot@flickr.com

Inevitably, new trends in both internal and external migration emerge, these being a lot more intense and concerning in the past 20 years of independent Macedonia. Prompted by the opportunity for academic improvement and better conditions for building professional and successful career, Macedonian people are frequently migrating to the Western world. The pool of migrants usually consists of highly qualified young individuals in whom the society has invested and expects this investment to be compensated for a social progress and development. Contrary to all expectations, however, many beautiful villages and towns in my country have become dilapidated and almost wiped off the national map. In many of them, children’s voices have long ceased to be heard. The situation in other regions of Macedonia is, on the other hand, strikingly different. New contemporary housing and building complexes are rapidly emerging as a contrast to the old and abandoned neighborhoods. These are constructed by the Macedonian Diaspora that decided to invest in the country of origin in order to provide improved conditions when prepared to move back home. Their final homecoming is, however, subject to perpetual procrastination. In most cases they return as seniors.

However, we cannot overlook the benefits as well. Macedonian migrants earn a lot more money than they would in their own countries. The country of destination on the other hand, that receives them and provides them with a job, achieves higher GNP growth. A significant amount of the saved earnings is invested back in the country of origin as well. It is important to note however, that what usually happens is an unwise distribution of earnings leading to an unequal regional development. The investments by migrants then result in a widened gap between the regions within Macedonia itself. This is mainly because the migrants from poor rural regions invest only in big cities with developed infrastructure. This process is furthermore accelerated by the steady internal migration from rural into urban centres despite the need of workforce in the rural regions. Forever leave thence the young population compelled to search for personal and professional development in the metropolitan areas. Many of them, together with the young brains coming from every part of the country further decide to build their careers in developed countries; countries that provide a fertile soil for them to create, this adding to the poverty in Macedonia leaving the country perspectiveless and with a considerable developmental lag.

Therefore, the most developed countries are neither the oldest nor the most populated ones. These are the countries and systems that managed to attract and motivate the most skilled cadres from all over the world; cadres that contributed to their highest progress, promoting modern and effective ways of corporate working while nurturing positive business culture.

Brain drain by mag3737 @flickr.com

Nevertheless, I presume I cannot exhaust the list of benefits and negative implications caused by migration. Present-day state of transport and communication transformed the world into big global village making it difficult for national and international communities to acknowledge the side effects of migration and brain drain. I believe it is important then to highlight the benefits of population mobility taken as free flow of people, services and ideas on an international level. Meanwhile it should be stressed that the accumulated knowledge and expertise gained in the developed countries must be brought back in Macedonia after several years of studying and working abroad. Here, in their motherland, in considerably altered conditions and under legally regulated development policies migrants are going to invest in their own businesses thence “investing” in the progress of the community and the economy in general.

Improved conditions and positive business climate, however, will not come out of the blue. The government must take serious steps towards dealing with the harsh bureaucratic paralysis still present in the public sector of our country. It also has the responsibility of controlling the distribution and spending of invested funds. In order to overcome these obstacles or, more importantly, to instill trust in investors, I believe it should start with combating corruption and its negative implications. Namely, the enthusiasm with which entrepreneurs might enter Macedonian business scene can be severely curbed by this modern phenomenon. It jeopardizes and violates the personal integrity as well as the codes of professional deontology. Moreover, it defies the principles of public morality and persistently threatens the freedom of the creative spirit. Very often the corruption sets boundaries between the driving forces of the mind: the endeavor on one hand and the goal to be accomplished on the other hand. However, instead of being perceived as an obstruction and a real threat, the corruption in Macedonia is treated as a common phenomenon, thus as a normal daily behavior. In fact, the corruption is an illusion of success for our society that suffers from severe forms of self-disorganization. Facts show many failed projects and unrealised investments due to meagre mechanisms for fighting corruption and dealing with ineffective administration or a lack of promotion of business ethics and bon-ton. All this leads to an omni-present mistrust in the system resulting in migrants’ preference to stay longer in the country of destination limiting their investments solely to buying personal estates in the country of origin.

In brief, speaking both from my personal experience as a mobile youth and having contemplated about youth migration in general, I hope young people will continue to explore our beautiful Planet and enjoy the benefits each corner of the world has to offer. However, I also hope that these same young people will be willing to return to their homelands, to everyone’s advantage. Therefore, to plow our own fields, to grow our own vegetables, to coil our home steel, to invent our own innovation…. This is what will open new and rich markets; markets that will provide work for armies of diligent and responsible workers, here, in our homeland. Migration will then exist only temporarily without negative repercussions in the long run. Finally, the mobility will be reduced to pleasant and exciting touristic trips.

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

On the 4th of November Mladiinfo celebrated its 3rd birthday in Skopje with a party at the MKC club.
Ivan Radenov from Macedonian idol was in charge of the music together with his band Aquarius and
thanks to them the dance floor was never empty. The peak moment was when the b-day cake was brought and we have never seen such a huge cake been eaten that fast.

Our thanks go out to all the people that celebrated with us, to the whole team and supporters of Mladiinfo, to the participants and speakers on our training and conference, to the band for playing such a good danceable music, to Kanela for the great cake, to MKC for the good service and of course to all our friends that were there to party with us.
Thanks!

PS: Check out more photos here!

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Author: Natasa Stojanoska

The 24-year-old Natasa Stojanoska from Skopje, an English language and literature graduate, tells her experience regarding EVS, after she has spent three months in Estonia, Tallinn. This is her personal view on EVS and her host country…

…I never really felt alone. At the time there was a fellow Macedonian volunteer who introduced me into the volunteers’ community. I met a hoard of experienced (and less experienced) volunteers who were going through the same I was. I had plenty of people I felt I could talk to whenever I needed advice.

People are curious, contradictory beings that avoid definitions. I have always found definitions rather dull… and finite. We are all aware that to live is to change.  I might have been obsessing over the idea of enrolling in art school in my early teenage years, but my first lesson of Italian in the senior year of high school brought a sudden change of heart. My fascination with languages has been growing (and altering) ever since.  If I had to list my major fields of interest, language would be one of them. It carries limitless power. Words glorify and sacralize.  Often, however, they corrupt and destruct. The Great Goe is famous for saying that having no knowledge in foreign languages is having no knowledge of your own, statement I strongly uphold. Language is fascinating in its power of binding us all, or, likewise, separating us.

Previous knowlege about EVS

Tidbits about the European voluntary service first reached me at a Portuguese language and culture workshop held at a Skopje youth organization. The idea enraptured me. Having just graduated from university and having dedicated most of my time to job hunting, I had some amount of time to spare so I did a brief research. Soon after, I got distracted having gotten immersed into translation.

My short-term EVS project was sort of a happy accident. A volunteer-to-be had given up their short-term project so I contacted my sending organization online and applied. The next day they told me I am flying to the Estonian metropolis in three weeks.

Adjusting to the new environment

A lot of enthusiasm and excitement accompanied the preparations. I was going to live on my own for the first time in my life (and abroad!). Culture-shocked and shaken I sure was. In the positive sense of the word, Estonians are the most polite creatures to have ever walked the Earth. Being a keen people watcher, I enjoyed observing Baltic Northerners and comparing them to Balkan Southerners. Estonia, although being a former Soviet state, has a fully European charm to it. I remember putting my headphones on and embarking on adventures, exploring the narrow, cobblestoned alleys of Vana Tallinn. I was taken aback by the neatly trimmed hedges in Kadriorg and the shiny-surfaced streets, a neatness which is, sadly, a rarity at home. Drivers stopping at pedestrian crossings! Now, that’s something which happens once in a blue moon in Skopje.

Being all alone in a foreign country

I never really felt alone. At the time there was a fellow Macedonian volunteer who introduced me into the volunteers’ community. I met a hoard of experienced (and less experienced) volunteers who were going through the same I was. I had plenty of people I felt I could talk to whenever I needed advice. I was already starting to feel at home in the second month of my stay.

Defining EVS

Broad-mindedness and asking questions for me are two words that define EVS. Be curious. Curiosity can lead us to the most interesting places imaginable. And travel. I love the sight of a packed suitcase full of neatly folded clothes and a pair of shined shoes ready for the road. I could go on and on…

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Authors: Natasha Jancheva, Elena Trajanova and Daniel Gjokjeski

“Waves of Democracy”. At first, it might sound a bit too serious and abstract, but the fact this seminar involved young people from seven different countries who were more than eager to share their knowledge, ideas, and culture was assuring enough that this week was going to be an unforgettable one.

“Waves of Democracy” is an annual seminar organized by the International Education Center – IUC (Denmark) and GlobalCitizen in cooperation with European Movement Serbia where young people gather and work together on sharing ideas for possible future projects, policies and networks which might be implemented within Europe… But there is also another subtle purpose of this seminar which is equally important – having people from all over Europe spend one week together is a wonderful way to build bridges among cultures, defy any stereotypes, and eventually build one more coherent Europe.

There were four of us from Macedonia, three of whom were sent by Mladiinfo. Being new to this seminar and chosen by the Mladiinfo team, we didn’t know each other previously; however, the one thing we surely had in common was the zeal to learn and contribute. We left Skopje with mixed feelings, not sure what to expect…but we knew we were about to have one of the greatest weeks in our lives from the first day we got there… What happened?

The first night was intended to be an introduction night where we were supposed to meet everyone. So, at 8:00 pm we went down in the lobby expecting to see a crowd of young exuberant people chit-chatting. And we did see a crowd, a crowd whose age ranged from 30 to 60+…Actually, that was the only crowd, so we had no other option but to assume that this is it – we were about to spend a week with a more “mature” group of people. Fingers crossed, it might even be fun!!! When they started going out of the hotel, we hurried and asked one girl if this is the WoD crew, and when we got affirmative answer we knew we had to follow….After a long walk to Skadarlija, one of the many beautiful places in Belgrade,a  man at the entrance of the restaurant where the group entered made us realize that this actually wasn’t our group…We burst into laughter at how silly we must have looked, and at the same time felt relieved cause we knew our exuberant group of young people was waiting for us in the hotel…

The first part of the seminar involved networking workshops where we were divided into groups and, according to our own experience and networks, had to come up with fictional networks or organizations which would work on improving the life of the European citizens…There were many beautiful ideas that emerged from these workshops: The ENJOY Network (European New Job Opportunity for Youth), Brainbook – a place where people can discuss on any topic and share knowledge, Ideapolis – an online platform for sharing skills and ideas, etc.

The second part of the seminar involved committee work where each participant was delegated to one of the five committees which dealt with different aspects of social life and social welfare. All three of us were in different committees, which was especially useful for we got to share different insights from each committee.

Elena: “Since I am a student at the Faculty of Economics in Skopje, I was more than happy to be part of the City and Social Entrepreneurship Committee…This was first time that I got to discuss the issues that concerned me with people from all over Europe. I was amazed at how much the team work with insightful and inspiring people can generate so many great ideas for starting a new small business…I was especially pleased to see that our idea for 3-Wheeled Meal actually won the first place!!”

Natasha: “I am a senior year student at the Faculty of Philology in Skopje. Nevertheless, through my studies in Macedonia and abroad I developed a strong interest about the issues of social relevance, especially the topics of human rights, minority rights, and social cohesion between different cultural groups living in one society. Therefore, being part of the Between Gentrification and Social Cohesion Committee was an invaluable experience where I got the chance to discuss the issues facing Europe, as well as to deepen my understanding of these topics and what can be done to improve the current situation.”

Daniel: “I am pursuing a Master’s degree at the Law Faculty in Skopje and I was part of the Good Governance and Politics in the City Committee. When one talks about politics it is almost impossible not to have disagreements – they are actually the essence of our work. So, as you would expect, people had many different opinions which produced many prolific discussions…The difference in opinion is what makes a conversation fruitful, and a proof that our work was fruitful were the great project ideas we came up with at the end of the seminar.”

Since the seminar started with networking, we tried to keep that spirit throughout the entire week. Other than the official workshops, we spent equal amount of time in sightseeing, bowling, dancing in the wonderful and famous boat bars on the Danube River and enjoying the view from the Kalemegdan fortress. All those moments we shared working and having fun gave us new friends whom we hope to see again on the “Waves of Democracy” seminar next year in Copenhagen. Cheers!!!

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Authors: Emilija Georgievska & Aneta Dimoska
Photos: YES Incubator, Skopje

Have you ever had a dream or an idea you wanted to pursue, but you still did not have the right means to achieve it? Have you ever noticed that some things in everyday life do not function well for what you have come up with a better solution, yet you did not have the opportunity to share your thoughts about this with the wider audience?  Have you ever wanted to know how the business world functions, what is it like to work under pressure with people you barely know, all having the task to work together in order to accomplish a common goal? Well, if you did come across this kind of situation, how would you feel if one day you see a placard offering you the kind of experience that would fulfill all the above needs – an event which gives one a chance to present an idea, form a team that will work on it, and launch a business! To some of you this concept is probably familiar, but for those who do not have a clue what we are writing about and suddenly, however, felt enlightened by this, let us introduce to you the Startup Weekend event!

A “startup” weekend is about everything we mentioned already – sharing an idea, forming a team, launching a startup business. Participants work constantly for 54 hours, “no talk, all action”, as the slogan of the event proclaims, and at the end the best idea wins a prize (the type of prize depends on the organizers). Anyone can take part and try their luck in the business world.

The first Startup Weekend in the Balkans took place in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, during the weekend of 24-26 June, 2011. The “Mladiinfo” team was at the happening place to witness the event that brought a sense of creativity and innovation to our city. We were there when the participants proposed their ideas with each participant having 60 seconds on his/her disposal to present them. Finally, all the attendees voted for their favorite ideas in order for the best ones to be selected and to be worked on during the weekend.

The range of ideas varied, from creating a register for alternative medicine therapies, or a website that connects you to people travelling to the same destination so that you can share the price, to creating an application that will tell you which kitchen appliances remained switched off or on etc.

After posing their own ideas, not only participants but everyone who was present had the right to vote for its favorite solution.  The voting was conducted in a very interesting and unique fashion. The ideas were glued on the walls in the hallway of FON University (where the Startup Weekend was held) with each of the participants and the guests allowed to vote for only three presented ideas they liked the most.

When the voting process was done the next step was team creating. Those participants with the majority of the votes had a new task. They had to choose people to work with from different fields and branches in order to make a complete business plan strategy. Thus, nine teams were created all with different ideas, plans, views, problems, approaches…..but each one of them with the same goal: TO WIN!.

While these young people were busy working and were pressed by the time that was slowly expiring, we found some of them eager to tell us more information about their team and the idea they were sharing.

The first we came across was Martin. Martin is the CEO of the “CodeWell” company, a student in his final year majoring in informatics … and he is only 25. He is one of the seven members coming from their company, taking part in the Startup Weekend and presenting different ideas. The idea they worked on was called POCKET DISCOUNT, an application that Martin explains “should look as if you are going in a supermarket and you see some product you are interested in but you want to know what its price is in another supermarket – all you have to do is to scan that product and with a specific application on your cell phone you can get this information”.

Another interesting idea was the one presented by Vasja Petkovska. This ambitious young girl is offering a solution for the problem that many Macedonian companies currently face – the design of a well-organized website for only 599 denars (approximately 10 euros). As she said, the idea is almost finished, only the promotion and the marketing part are missing.

These participants are sharing same positive opinions about the Startup Weekend project, about the offered advantages of getting some useful advices by top managers, professors from Macedonia and abroad.

We also had the chance to talk to Natasha Petkova , the project coordinator of YES Foundation and the main organizer of the Startup Weekend in Skopje. As the responsible for the event, Natasha had to be available for everyone from morning up until evening. But, anyways, she is pleasantly surprised by the participants’ turnout at the first Startup Weekend in Macedonia. She also announced the next Startup Weekend which will be held on November 11-13.

So you, young leaders and entrepreneurs, better start working on your business idea because …who knows, maybe there is a comfortable office armchair waiting for you to sit in. Good luck!

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Hidden pearl in the ocean by Ahmed Amir@flickr.com

Author: Linda Poort

Being a student is having a good life. You study a lot, sure, but you also have a summer holiday of a few months. Maybe you will work a bit to earn some money, maybe you will go to a beach and relax after all the hard work you have done. But there are other options – way more interesting ones!

Voluntourism: Travel with a purpose

The word says it all. You combine being a tourist with doing voluntary work. If you love to travel and want to make a difference in the world, this is, of course, a perfect combination. You combine your vacation with a great life experience, while making a difference in the lives of others. Good times!

There are a lot of possibilities all over the world and the easiest way to find a project which suits your needs is to consult one of the major international organizations with offices in different countries.

List of organizations

 

• Service Civil International

• Global Volunteer Network

• International Student Volunteers

• Working Abroad

• International Volunteer Programs Association

• Cross-Cultural Solutions

• Volunteers for Peace

Baner making by SFTHQ@flickr.com

To give an example, I will explain a bit about the first organization. The SCI works with eleven different topics. Every project is assigned to one of those topics. This makes it easier for you to find something you like. But be aware that every organization has its own classifications.

Most camps are usually a mix of volunteers from different countries. Also, the days are a mix of work and relax, often with weekend trips to interesting sights nearby to get the tourist part of voluntourism. For most camps, you do not need any prior education or experience, so you can pick what you want! Just hurry up, because you are not the only one who wants to go. Below I am giving a few examples.

Great Britain – Grayhill Conservation

In the first week, the work involves building an oak roof for farm stables and laying a sandstone roof on it. In the second week, the camp will be holding its annual Living History display for schools. In a period costume, you demonstrate life in the English countryside in 1599.

Iceland – Reykjavík, Green & Fun

The project takes place in a centre for disabled people in Reykjavík. The aim of the centre is not only to increase the people’s competences in the working market by focusing on quality of work, but also creates space for them to develop and use their artistic skills in a workshop.

New Hampshire, US – Teaching and Community Interaction

The primary project will be working with youth who will earn academic credit in Social Studies. Mornings will be semi-formal instruction. Afternoons will feature cooking, games, use of computer laboratory, etc. The school program ends with an evening cultural fair, presentations and dinner.

Student - Studying by Mooby@flickr.com

Do you want to know why you should become a voluntouristeer?

Are you not yet convinced? Want to know more? Well, if you participate in a workcamp abroad, you will:

• Participate in meaningful activities and have a deep impact on a community

• Develop new skills or use the ones you already have for a good cause

• Interact with locals who you would never meet in a hotel or at touristy places

• See and explore places which you would never see on a typical tour or vacation

• Create friendships which will last a lifetime

• Experience true satisfaction from your vacation time

If you want to work less and learn more, maybe the following possibility is something for you.

Summer School: Visit another country and gain knowledge

The word says enough again. You will go to school in summer. Getting goosebumps already? Why?! Summer schools are nowhere near the same as your usual school days! You will be studying a topic you are particularly interested in and you will do this with a summer feeling, in another country, while making new friends. And, of course, there is enough time for sightseeing trips and parties. What more do you want?

To keep it very simple, there are two possibilities:

• Language courses

• Courses which are an extension of the study you are currently doing

For summer schools, there are not a lot of international organizations which offer lists of possibilities. Most universities just have their own programs. It is therefore the best idea to search for summer schools that match your wishes in a search engine like Google. Just type in the desired subject and/or country to find fitting projects. It will be quite a search, but hey, who said everything would be simple?

There is an exception, though. A student organization AEGEE, which has offices in many countries, also offers summer schools. Unfortunately, the application period of the Summer University of AEGEE 2011 is already closed, but you can still write it down in your agenda or phone and apply next year. The projects of AEGEE are cheap and definitely a lot of fun! http://www.projects.aegee.org/suct/su2011/

So, what will your next summer look like?!

PS. We love to hear from readers who participated in voluntourism or summer school. Where did you go, what did you do, how was it, who did you meet, what tips do you have, etc. We also love to hear from people who are going to participate in a workcamp or summer school coming summer. So, do not hesitate and let us know about what you are/were up to!”

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Author: Ivan Shindev

As we walk the path of life we are involved in interactions that shape our personality. Personality that will not only make us who we are, but it will also affect everyone around us. Some people would say that we learn throughout our whole life, but from my point of view our brain is shaped while we are in college. After college we have too much on our mind to try and change who we have become. In the first two years of college almost everybody is interested only in social life. But as we get closer to graduation, professional involvement seems necessary and inevitable.

I am a transfer student at The University of South Florida and this is the place that has been shaping my brain for the past year. In the first week of classes I got an email telling me that I am eligible to rush the National Co-Ed honors fraternity Phi Sigma Pi. (read more about Rush here) Since I did not know anyone at that time, I decided that this will be a good chance to meet people and get involved. As I rushed Phi Sigma Pi I realized that the brothers in the fraternity are one big family. I attended events and slowly integrated into their life. It was not just about the social aspect, but also about the tripod of the fraternity: scholarship, leadership and fellowship. Since I became a brother, I have experienced that tripod, and I now realize that rushing Phi Sigma Pi was the best choice I have made in my life. But it is not only Phi Sigma Pi, there are dozens of other fraternities, sororities and other non Greek organizations[1] on campus all striving to bring together groups of people that share the same interests.

Most of these fraternities and sororities have houses on campus, and they are fully supported by the university. These different types of Greek and non-Greek organizations are the main force in the university. They are responsible for organizing and participating in different types of community service and social events. As a part of these organizations students can take different types of leadership positions that will help them in their professional life. The strongest part about the Greek organizations is that they are nation-wide. This means that you have brothers/sisters in almost every university in almost every state in the USA. There is also a great number of Alumni brothers/sisters that stay involved after graduation, which shows that you are a brother/sister for life.

To get more than 30 best friends in less than one semester is the best feeling in the world. It helped me professionally and mentally and also, it allowed me to become a better person. Let us not underestimate the power of social interaction, as even in a professional environment friendship is highly appreciated. Here is what my Brother Torie Doll has to say about the overall experience of being part in an honorary fraternity:

“I never thought that I would join any kind of Greek organization, but the moment I walked into the informative meeting for Phi Sigma Pi, National Co-Ed Honor Fraternity, I felt like I belonged there. Now in my first semester as a Brother, I look back and see that rushing for Phi Sigma Pi was one of the best choices I could have made for my life. I have met some of my best friends through the Fraternity and I love that my after school life is a lot busier than it use to be. Phi Sigma Pi has changed my life and I’m so glad it did.“

In brief, every university should strive to implement Greek organizations as part of their student life. As stated on the USF Fraternity and Sorority Life website: “Fraternity and Sorority Life will be the community of first choice at the University of South Florida and will holistically develop individuals that are contributors to the global society and engage the university for life.”[2]

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.

Author: Iva Sokolovska, ZOO Skopje Volunteer

Do you love animals? Well, all you need is a positive answer to this one!  I would like to share my experience and inform everyone interested in the opportunity to help animals, to spend some time with new and interesting people and to do something beneficial! Namely, I am a volunteer in the Skopje ZOO, the city zoo in Skopje, Macedonia. And, indeed, it has been one of the best experiences in my life and career so far.

First of all, let me explain “what it’s all about”. About a month ago, I saw an ad calling for volunteers in the Zoo. Being an ecologist and owning all varieties of pets, from rodents to arachnids, I applied right away. Our first meeting was held in the Zoo during one Sunday morning. We were greeted by a group of five young ladies that were the first volunteers to apply and they gave us a tour around the Zoo explaining our duties. And that’s how the story began.

As a volunteer, you can do anything you show talent for or have an interest in if you can find a way to adapt all that to the needs of the Zoo and do something constructive. You can take photographs, plan events, face paint, work with children, help take care of the animals… and everything that is asked from you is to donate at least two hours a week out of your spare time in order to contribute. We are a team of about 50 people and I usually spend there every free hour that I have. If I can’t make it through the week I am there throughout the entire weekend. We do everything from fence painting to birthday parties, we take on duties created by ourselves, we work along with the animal caretakers and, therefore,  keep the living space and facilities clean as well as the animals well fed and healthy; we even have a mentor in taxidermy.

However, one of our most important duties is the Eco-patrol. We divide ourselves up into teams and each team is responsible for a specific area in the ZOO. Within each area we watch out for the animals not to be harmed or fed with candy and chips by the visitors. We try to educate visitors not to give food to animals, not to throw trash or damage the cages. We rotate each 45 minutes not to get bored and be more effective. Being involved in the Eco-patrol teaches you on how to improve your skills, learn to be patient and deal with all kinds of characters. Furthermore, it serves you personally as a lesson on how to learn not to lose it over unimportant issues and bad manners. Of course, we are always polite, nice and welcoming. We can point out if people are doing something wrong or putting themselves in danger and we do get different reactions. Some are nice, some are not so nice, some are not nice at all. The point is not to become impolite, just to be yourself, be nice and try keeping in mind that you are there to help promote and improve the working in the Zoo. But on the bright side, there are a lot of fun people that will apologize and even ask to know something more about the Zoo volunteering. The best thing of this is that it works out and improvements have been made.

And now we come to the making-new-friends part. I know that it might sound as a cliché but I got to meet a bunch of great people and I am having a blast every time I go there. In the Educational Center we get to work with children, entertain them and we are constantly amazed of how much they love and know about animals. We organize theater shows, face-painting events, birthday parties… On special days we organize tree planting, fancy dress contests and tours. Among ourselves, we celebrate each other’s birthdays, we go out, we have fun all the time while working in the ZOO and I am glad to say that we are all becoming very good friends.

Moreover, if the sunny days spent outside, the new friendships established or the given opportunity to educate people is not enough for you, I am sure that the chance to take care of animals will ultimately win you over. We work together with the animal caretakers and help them feed the animals and maintain their health. When you spend some time with animals, they become even more amazing and lovely. And I can’t describe you the feeling when you witness the birth of a baby animal. This month one of our goats gave birth to a healthy little baby goat and we made sure it was safe and not hurt by males. Last week, we welcomed a new baby lemur and six precious yellow baby goslings.

New animals are being brought to our Zoo all the time. We are proud to inform you that we received a young crocodile and two Persian leopards as well as a female gibbon as donations from the ZOO of Orsa, Sweden. We are very excited to announce that a giraffe and an elephant will be delivered in fall.

ZOO Skopje has come a long way since its foundation but it still needs a lot of work. Any help is welcome, any talent is appreciated. ZOO Skopje is definitely a place to show your creativity and your desire to help. In return we promise lots of fun and learning experience like you never had before.

For more information visit the Skopje ZOO webpage; or join our Facebook website.

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Author: Tomas Marcinkievicus

 I suppose if you are reading this portal, you are young, either in heart orin passport. Mladiinfo is about scholarships, grants and exchanges, so you have for sure travelled or you‘re about to do it and you‘re educated way better than 80 percent of people of this world. And while being young, travelling and educated, it‘s really easy to start seeing yourself as obviously free and open-minded, streaming your free will and cool ideas to whatever directions possible, changing thoughts, countries and people with no big regrets.

Myth of Freedom

Well, dear libertarians, I have to disappoint you: you all belong to a sect. Social constructs and organizations with their distinctive philosophies, lists of rules, traditions, initiation and excommunication rituals lead your lives, as well as ours, from the cradle to the grave. Unless you follow the not-so-wise example of that guy from Into the Wild, you are pretty much unable to escape it, so enough with your illusions.

The first sects that you don‘t even choose are your family, state and religious background (atheism is as binding as any other), or, to say it all short and clear, Home. Dream of escaping these three dragons and becoming truly free, expressed by James Joyce, haunts artists and their look-alikes for ages. Sadly enough, it‘s as possible as counting to infinity or finding the actual end of the world, at least until brain transplantations become possible.

„But what after that?“ you might ask, and you might think once you‘re „independent“ from your parents, Republic and Church, you‘re not in any sects anymore. Well what about your work, friends, theatres, cinemas and bars that you visit, sports you engage in, books you read and movies you watch, your political beliefs, pets, sexual life? We‘re social animals, and from neonazis to anarchists, from members of bank boards to drunk bohemians, from Tea Party to flaming homosexuals, from US army men to Salvation Army volunteers, from civil aviation pilots to hitch-hikers, from French bulldog to French Citroen owners, we tend to flock to smaller or bigger sects, and we belong to tens and hundreds of them at the same time.

We follow their statutes of our sects with or without acknowledging it, and sometimes we‘re even ready to sacrifice precious things to gain hierarchy in them. The whole is more than the sum of its parts, and these social organizations are not mere gatherings of their members: traditions and behaviour models turn them into independent creatures, able to live and die, think and manipulate, ready to kill to survive. And love, what about this divine privilege? Well, lovers, as Kurt Vonnegut defined it, „create a state of two“, one of the strongest, most involving, aggressive, militant, suicidal and individuality-limiting sects ever…

Some sects, such as hitch-hikers, punks, volunteers, couchsurfers, drug addicts, casanovas, international youth, artists etc. tend to mask themselves with this illusion of freedom. Actually, they are stronger than any other: statute of open-mindedness, single-serving friends and lovers, not attaching, faithlessness and questioning keeps these social animals in hard frames.

So what?

So you have a scale of choices. Mr Happy P. Idiot stands on one end of the scale, „P“ standing for „Pragmatic“. He is happy about his sects, love them sincerely, crave for belonging to more and more of them and rising in their hierarchy. He is similar to a member of a wolf pack: while the leader wolf is strong and healthy, he acts as a nice friendly puppy, but once the leader‘s feeling of scent betrays his hunting skills, he‘ll be the first one to shout „Le roi est mort!“

We all know people close to this model. There are girls who dream of princes on white horses; workaholics who experience wet dreams of promotion; „local bohemians“ living in the same bar for years and years; social losers who spend their lives smoking marijuana and browsing the internet… Their main advantage is that these people are, as mentioned before, sincerely satisfied: their needs end at the top of Maslow‘s pyramid, they sleep well, no clouds of doubt cover their bright July sun. However, there is a big difference between Sancho Panza and Leonardo da Vinci.

Then, on the other end of the scale, there‘s The Artist. Titles and surnames are too mainstream for him, except maybe for Don Quixote. He doesn‘t go Home, he just changes places, even if this means he will never be content, he refuses to make any choices at all and succumb to any sects, he understands and speaks truths of absurd and chaos, he‘s motherf—ing Tyler Durden himself. Though these creatures are usually real (?) intellectuals and artists, neglecting social norms and natural needs might bring them to their bitter end of loneliness and regret. Also, as said before, sects of those who think they don‘t belong to any sects are usually the fiercest ones.

So? Should we, young travelling educated people, be happy fools or asocial geniuses? Not everything‘s so simple, for sure, but there‘s another way, and it‘s called acrobatics. Combining understanding and feeling, love and independence, safe zones and outskirts, cooperation and resistance is no easy task, probably it‘s even impossible, but, as Buddhists say, it‘s the way that matters, not the destination.

Some say that we are nothing but social constructs, but I‘d never believe that. We all have the choice not to choose, and we can all break our old ways. So name your sects, whether it‘s Evil Corp. or International Community of Loners, and try to escape them just for a little while, just to have fun and to check your love for them. Just do it

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Honors faculty offices by ASU_PCG's photostream@flickr

Author: Anastazija Dimitrova

As a newly-wed to the higher educational system, I decided to write this article as a hopeful search for some answers. You see, as long as you are not in the shoes of the Macedonian students, you truly can not imagine what they are going through. But let’s start from the beginning.

While I was at high school, those who were already at university always shared stories from their university life. You can always hear stories about professors who wouldn’t give you a signature or grade just because that day they weren’t in the mood. It doesn’t matter that it is not your fault they couldn’t find a perfect parking space in the shade or that you have nothing to do with their neighbor’s dog’s decision to pee on their door mat. Today they can’t stand you and that doesn’t require a reason. Often someone tells you about the professor who gives you a harder test because you are blond or you have red nails or perhaps a beard. If you are thinking about ways how to solve this problem, I am sorry to tell you, but there is only one solution: Let it go. At least you will have a nice story to tell to your grandchildren.

You may call it luck or short time at university but I haven’t faced this kind of problems yet. During my one week of university experience I have faced a few different problems which began when I applied to university. I am absolutely sure that I wrote my home address at least seventeen times, as well as my name and date of birth. I have no idea why. They just gave me a pile of documents and told me to fill them in. The fact that I didn’t know what to write in at least half of them was not important. The fact that when I asked the secretary for help and she yelled at me for no reason at all was even less important. I understand it is my fault that I don’t have these documents at home (and they were not cheap, by the way) to practice filling them in day after day. Eventually, somehow I managed to fill everything in and I was able to move to the next stage of my education.

Finally, the D-day came and I went to the university for my first class that was scheduled for 8 a.m. on Monday morning. There we were, 50 people in the amphitheater waiting for our professor for half an hour when a nice lady came and told us that he was on a trip so we wouldn’t have a class that day. But we should not worry. We would have our next class, which was scheduled for 2 p.m.

M.A.D by Arbron@flickr

The transportation can not be neglected as well. Really, when you are on a bus designed for 50 people, but, in fact, there are 78 inside (I have counted), all you can think about is “oh dear God, what have I done to you?” Especially, when some of them wear slippers and socks that have not been washed for a week or when there is a three-month baby on the bus that keeps crying all the way. But nothing can be compared to the end-of the-week bus joy in Skopje. Or, as it is known among us: “Old black Friday”. Friday is the day of the week when the elderly people can use public transport for free. Normally, they wait impatiently for these days so they can go to the green market or to a hospital. Some of them don’t have a specific destination; they just like to go for a ride. On the buses they meet all their friends they haven’t seen for a long time, they find out who is married, who has grandchildren, who has died or who has back problems. Since they are old and they forget things they usually feel guilty because they have forgot to tell something to the sister of the second cousin from the mother side of the husband of their neighbor. But no need to worry, there is always next Friday. Imagine having to go through this every week for at least four years. Is it just our luck, right?

But don’t panic! Eventually, you arrive at the university, so you can have one 2-hour class and then have the next one after a nice gap. The gaps of two or six hours between two classes happen very often here, in Macedonia. Nobody knows why. Is it because those who are responsible for our schedule have no way of contacting each other, today in the 21^st century, or is it just because they are lazy and they think it’s our responsibility to know everything?

During one of these gaps my colleagues and I discussed most of these problems. We all agreed about the downsides and in between we laughed, shared experiences and got to know each other. That was the moment when I realized that the series of unfortunate events were always there for something. Those are the moments you share with a group of people who are so different and who you don’t know yet. These are the people who will be your friends, family, helpers and supporters for the next 4 years. With some of them you will remain friends for a lifetime and one day you will remember all the stuff you had to go through together. For better or for worse, during exams or conflicts – these are the things that will either “kill” or make us stronger. We all live hoping for the second.

This is one of the winning articles of the Mladiinfo Article Writing Contest. The content of the articles does not necessarily represent the view or the position of Mladiinfo.

Please note that Mladiinfo does not give scholarships or any financial support, but only informs about different opportunities. Click on the direct link to the official page above to apply for the program.