“We are heroes of our kind, turning ideas into products”- Elkida Bazaj #UNYTstudent

This is the end of my four-year journey, and I got the opportunity to tell my story. I would be lying if I did not accept that these four years have been both the most beautiful and difficult years of my life. The amount of knowledge and experience I have gained is irreplaceable. It has not always been easy, but everyone can do it as long as you don’t give up.

When I chose to study Computer Science I was not equipped with the full set of programming skills. I often found myself with no answer when asked why I had chosen this field. Sometimes I replied that I had always thought myself in the technology world, but deep down I knew this was a little lie. Other times I just replied: “I don’t know, maybe destiny…” In 2016 I started my studies for Computer Science at UNYT knowing only some HTML. As the years passed, the question began to get an answer. In freshman year I learned the basics of computer science and how to program in C++. I spent hours reading the book the professor had recommended us; I spent my time mostly reading and less practising. I remember how difficult the first assignment seemed (which sounds funny right now), that feeling of panic I would fail the course (and all because of a for loop). Once a student “suggested” me to give up on books because no one can learn programming by reading. He could have been right (although I doubt it), but at that time that was the only option for me. The story certainly had a happy ending; I got an A on my first programming course, which encouraged me more and made me believe I could succeed.

In the second year, I was part of the Erasmus+ Exchange Program and got the right to study one semester abroad at Middle East Technical University (ODTU) in Ankara. I will always remember it as one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Meeting fellow students from around the world, interacting and sharing experiences with them helped me get out of my comfort zone and gain new social skills. METU was a challenging environment; you could spend hours in the library studying and it would not be enough. The experience in METU made me more mature and accept there will always be people who can achieve more, but only because they try harder. After returning from Turkey I did not forget some habits that had already become part of my routine. The long hours in the library were replaced by long sleepless nights in my study room, for the same purpose. Always studying.

When I finished my second year of studies one of my professors suggested me to apply in a software company based in Albania for an internship. After two months as an intern, I got the job as a junior software developer, which lasted during my remaining study years. The more I immersed myself in the world of technology, the more I wanted to learn about other technologies. My greatest success was in 2019 when I took the Java SE Programmer I certificate from Oracle. From that moment on I never doubted my skills, not because I considered myself better than anyone, but because looking back at myself from three years ago I know I have come a long way.

I think about those questions a lot: why did I choose computer science? And I know the answer now. I chose it because it gives me all the tools to change the world. At the end of the semester, one professor in his farewell note stated: “you should be proud of your (future) profession”. We are heroes of our kind, turning ideas into products.

I chose it because it gives me the opportunity to change the development of my country. I have set myself this goal, and I will not stop until I give all the necessary values not only to the Albanian language but to the entire Albanian culture.