Posted 10:26 am Tuesday, May 08, 2012
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Deputy Prime Minister Of Kosovo Tours Brook Hill
BULLARD — Bujar Bukoshi caught a glimpse of Texas education and American history as he toured The Brook Hill School Monday afternoon.
Dressed in casual clothes, the deputy prime minister of Kosovo looked intently at items in the school's American Freedom Museum, which includes documents signed by U.S. presidents, more than 600 artifacts in 15 galleries where people can learn about each war the United States was involved in, beginning with the Revolutionary War. He also traveled the hallways, peeked into classrooms, and took time to visit with fifth graders.
Dressed in casual clothes, the deputy prime minister of Kosovo looked intently at items in the school's American Freedom Museum, which includes documents signed by U.S. presidents, more than 600 artifacts in 15 galleries where people can learn about each war the United States was involved in, beginning with the Revolutionary War. He also traveled the hallways, peeked into classrooms, and took time to visit with fifth graders.
It was his latest stop during his first trip to Texas, where he came to attend the inaugural
Texas-European Union Summit in Austin, and he said his first impression of Brook Hill was “very strong.”
“I'm pleased to see this place. … Usually in my country you cannot find such nice schools with such big space. Our country is small, and everything is smaller, so you feel immediately so relaxed and comfortable,” he said.
Texas-European Union Summit in Austin, and he said his first impression of Brook Hill was “very strong.”
“I'm pleased to see this place. … Usually in my country you cannot find such nice schools with such big space. Our country is small, and everything is smaller, so you feel immediately so relaxed and comfortable,” he said.
He also was pleased that a student from Kosovo graduated from Brook Hill, saying that Kosovo will always be grateful to America, and that he hopes Kosovo residents abroad will gather experiences and education that they can bring back with them.
“In the U.S., we have special emotion because are grateful for help from the U.S. during hard times historically, especially under Serbian oppression, the U.S. had a leading role with taking the necessary role to stop the genocide, the extinction of Albanians from this country. … So we will be so eternally grateful for this and especially when I came to Texas, it was in the same flavor but a different feeling because Texas is something special,” he said.
Additionally, Bukoshi said the trip was good opportunity for him to further develop and promote relationships and trade, among other things.
“In the U.S., we have special emotion because are grateful for help from the U.S. during hard times historically, especially under Serbian oppression, the U.S. had a leading role with taking the necessary role to stop the genocide, the extinction of Albanians from this country. … So we will be so eternally grateful for this and especially when I came to Texas, it was in the same flavor but a different feeling because Texas is something special,” he said.
Additionally, Bukoshi said the trip was good opportunity for him to further develop and promote relationships and trade, among other things.
As a result, he said he sees “new chances and good chances” and would like to take his experience back to Kosovo, a country that has two public and 15 private universities.
“We need assistance of course as well as corporation. … We have to offer something,” Bukoshi said. “Although it's a very small country compared to Texas … we are very rich in resources, mineral resources, and agriculture and well-educated youth with an entrepreneur spirit.”
Therefore, he said Kosovo is highly interested in receiving exchange students.
As far Kosovo's neighbor, Serbia, which is expected to have a presidential runoff, he said his country continues to strive for more than independence.
“We need assistance of course as well as corporation. … We have to offer something,” Bukoshi said. “Although it's a very small country compared to Texas … we are very rich in resources, mineral resources, and agriculture and well-educated youth with an entrepreneur spirit.”
Therefore, he said Kosovo is highly interested in receiving exchange students.
As far Kosovo's neighbor, Serbia, which is expected to have a presidential runoff, he said his country continues to strive for more than independence.
“Although we are independent and recognized by 90 nations, states, we need more. We are attempting to become a member of the United Nation organization and European Union member state. We have problems with Serbia because of Serbia's obstructive policy toward Kosovo, but we are convinced we need patience now, and with the help of the international presence there and again with the help of the United States, we will overpass this situation …” he said.
“We don't want to do anything. We have no motivation territorial or political.”
Bukoshi is slated to go to Houston today and fly home on Wednesday. However, that doesn't mean he won't come back.
“I get in love in Texas, and Austin impressed me very much and Tyler especially, and I met so many people,” Bukoshi said Monday shortly before going through the American Freedom Museum. “I had (a) good time and great hospitality, which we try to compare our Albanian hospitality with Texas. There are some similarities, and it's great to be here.
Although (it's the) first time, I will repeat it and try to come (again). … I'm waiting (for) Texas to visit Kosova.”
“We don't want to do anything. We have no motivation territorial or political.”
Bukoshi is slated to go to Houston today and fly home on Wednesday. However, that doesn't mean he won't come back.
“I get in love in Texas, and Austin impressed me very much and Tyler especially, and I met so many people,” Bukoshi said Monday shortly before going through the American Freedom Museum. “I had (a) good time and great hospitality, which we try to compare our Albanian hospitality with Texas. There are some similarities, and it's great to be here.
Although (it's the) first time, I will repeat it and try to come (again). … I'm waiting (for) Texas to visit Kosova.”
