Chargé d’Affaires Colleen Hyland’s Remarks at the Access Mitrovica Graduation, 18 October 2018
Honored guests, Aferdita, Natasa, students and teachers of the Access program, thank you so very much for having me here today.
Congratulations to the 2018 English Access graduates from Mitrovica!
It really is a serious commitment to spend two years devoted to an extra-curriculum program. Especially for those of you who have obligations at university, at work, and at home. But your perseverance and dedication have helped you master this new skill.
English opens doors. Your possibilities for higher education, or for a better job, are much improved. Whether you want to go into computer science or medicine, or become a teacher, or even work in tourism, you will now have more opportunities.
English also allows you to connect—with more than one and a half billion people across the world who also speak English.English connects people right here in Kosovo.
You, the 2018 Access graduates, understand better than anyone how English can bring people together from different communities.
I encourage you to keep using your English skills to connect with people. Find ways to use the community service and leadership skills
from Access to keep connecting with your neighbors here in Mitrovica.
In addition, connect with other people of Kosovo who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs
by joining KUSA, the Kosovo-U.S. Alumni Network.
To the prospective students here today, I wish you the best of luck. I hope you’ll see from today’s graduation that while Access is a big commitment, it can offer great rewards.
To the friends and family here today, thank you for your support of these students and thank you for your trust in the Access program.
Last but not least to the teachers and administrators at CBM, thank you for all of your hard work.
Congratulations on two fantastic groups of students.You truly are changing lives and building a brighter future for Kosovo.
Congratulations again to the class of 2018.
