On Thursday, April 8th, 2010, 40 students from the University of Vlora were given the unique opportunity to meet with US Ambassador John L. Withers II, confirmed by the US Senate as United States Ambassador to Albania on June 28, 2007.
Students from ENG 263: Studies in the American Culture and ENG 276: Interpretation courses with professor Mrs Erida Prifti met for more than an hour of friendly conversation with Ambassador John Withers II, during which the Ambassador answered student questions about American culture and his everyday collaboration with interpreters.
The two courses that these English language students are taking this Spring semester, Studies in the American Culture and Interpretation, are being enriched with activities aided by members of the Peace Corps Organization living in Albania, especially Ms Amy Fladeboe, who is Vlora's Peace Corps volunteer for English education. Professor Amy Fladeboe taught at UV during the academic year 2008-2009 and is still contributing enormously to the University's academic community. Such activities include inviting guest speakers to share their experiences and points of view as American nationals during class and more notably, helping to coordinate this educational opportunity to meet with Ambassador John Withers II.
The students from the Department of Languages represented the Ismail Qemali University of Vlora with great dignity, admirable skill, and remarkable politeness and civility at the meeting with Ambassador Withers, rendering their dialogue with the Ambassador a pleasant and memorable experience. They asked questions about the key to the Ambassador’s success as a diplomat, about the three aspects of the US culture worthy to be put in a "time box" for the future, about the Ambassadors’ expectations of a good interpreter, and even a request for a word of advice to UV students. The answers received were thoughtful, deep and full of fatherly wisdom by Ambassador Withers.
The students and their professor showed warm appreciation for the Ambassador’s time and the significant imprints he left in the minds and hearts of the students in attendance. The Ambassador graciously accepted the students remarks of gratitude and the symbolic gift they had prepared for him, which contained Ismail Kadare's "Chronicle in Stone" translated into English by the respected writer and translator Arshi Pipa, as well as a piece of hand-made wood art representing our Albanian flag. The students had also put all their signatures on a beautifully framed pergamena with a thank you note written on it. At the end, the Ambassador took the time to take individual pictures with each of the 40 students, as well as the staff members.
The IR Officer Mr. Erald Pelari, who was also accompanying the group of students, on behalf of the Rectorate of the University of Vlora extended to the Ambassador an official invitation to be the honored guest at the UV Graduation Ceremony in July 2010.
E. Prifti
The IR Officer Mr. Erald Pelari, who was also accompanying the group of students, on behalf of the Rectorate of the University of Vlora extended to the Ambassador an official invitation to be the honored guest at the UV Graduation Ceremony in July 2010.
E. Prifti
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