By Medina Pasoma, RTK

Imagine boarding a flight from Prishtina to Dublin—carrying with you stacks of visa documents, all in the hope that the journey will prove more than worthwhile, opening the door to a culture and a world so different from the one you know in the Western Balkans. The moment your feet touch Irish soil, a new horizon unfolds on Europe’s western edge, where a distinct Irish identity meets echoes of a shared history with the United Kingdom. And if I had to name the highlight of it all, it would undoubtedly be the people: warm, smiling, incredibly kind and welcoming… and, of course, the fantastic food.

Even more remarkable was my one-week professional placement at RTÉ. I was welcomed with genuine warmth by two wonderful hosts, Zbyszek Zalinski and Emma Curry, who made the entire experience feel both inspiring and personal. Thanks to them, I had the chance to explore nearly every corner of the institution.

RTÉ feels like the dream destination of any young person whose heart beats for television. Multiple buildings, bustling information desks, studios full of character, and a rich programming landscape across both TV and radio—it is everything I would one day hope to see in RTK. From early morning editorial meetings and story assignments, to gathering information in the newsroom, video editing, publishing fast-paced updates online, creating vibrant social media content, and producing major stories in television studios—I witnessed passion and dedication in every corner. Most striking of all were the working conditions, still far ahead of what we have yet achieved in Kosovo*[1]

I also had the opportunity to witness the importance of valuing audiences and listeners during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the radio show “2FM Afternoon with Tracy Clifford.” The atmosphere was filled with surprises, a live audience, gifts, music, and pure joy. What has kept this show alive and relevant over the years is precisely that strong appreciation for its audience. Another particularly meaningful moment was meeting veteran RTÉ journalist Paul Cunningham, who reported from conflict zones including Kosovo* and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the late 1990s. As someone born after war in 2000, meeting a journalist whose voice once carried the harsh realities of our country to the world was deeply emotional. At the same time, it was a special pleasure to share with him how much Prishtina—and Kosovo* as a whole—has transformed since then. But the journey does not end here… Soon, I will begin the second part of my international mobility experience with a visit to Croatian Radio Television. I can’t wait to embark on this new chapter.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds Program: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie. The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.


[1] * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999.