Ana Petani, young entrepreneur from Albania

09. 09. 2019

Albanian, 22 old Ana Petani is doing an exchange program Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs in Ljubljana. We were talking to Ana about her experience and to Jan Kikelj from hosting company Ljudje Ltd.

Ana, why did you choose Ljubljana?

Last summer I met Jan on vacation in Albania and I wanted to do an internship abroad. He told me about this opportunity and I thought, why not? At the time I worked as a community manager at one creative hub in Albania. This was the beginning of collaboration with Jan.

There were no selections, Jan?

We already had plenty of experiences with Erasmus exchanges, Ana was a good match for us and that was it. We talked a lot with her and as she worked at a place, similar to Poligon. We needed a person with these skills and we had a place at our company, so we made an exchange.

What is Ana doing at your company, Jan?

Ana does a lot of things in our company, but primarily this exchange is about exchanging knowledge. We think of design as a problem solving process, so we try to teach Ana how to approach projects as a step by step process. From research, strategies to design work and testing.

Ana, did you learn a lot in these months?

I really enjoyed it, because it was very different of what I did before, but when started showing me, how it really should happen step by step, I realised it and I must say that I think, now I have some basics.

Have you noticed any differences between Slovenian and Albanian business culture?

Yes, there are a lot of differences, a lot of them in the way people behave and approach things. In every country is different. I think that this experience will really help me in the future, since I see my future abroad and not in Albania.

How do you like Ljubljana?

Well, I love it. I love the nature and the history. The centre is very touristic, but I love it and will continue going there. I travelled also to different parts of Slovenia with my Albanian friends. We all liked Slovenia pretty much.

Jan, you already had some Erasmus exchanges in the past. What are the benefits for you?

We are still a young company and getting as much help as we can, is always a good thing. Also, this kind of exchanges bring a diverse perspective on the field that we work in. People approach projects and problems in a different way, so this is really something that we can learn from a lot. That is basically one of the main reasons why we participate in the Erasmus programs and we just had good experiences till now.

Did you get some help from Technology park Ljubljana, Jan?

Of course! Me and Mojca Cvirn were working for the past 2 or 3 times and she helped us with everything. Everything that we needed, happened really quick. All the paperwork, accommodation, even calls to the embassy.

Ana: From my part in Albania it was very hard to go to this process, because we have this kind of bureaucracy – they are not focused to solve the problem but they find new problems. Technology park Ljubljana helped me really a lot with the place, where I am staying and also with papers. For me it was easy, Technology park helped me also to get a visa. If it wasn`t for them, it would be really hard to come here.

What are the benefits, you got here?

Ana: “Except networking, communication and that stuff, which I think is basic, also learning experience is very beneficial for me. For me is very big step, that I learned it here by doing it. I have got a lot of collaboration skills. I am really grateful for it.”

Jan: “For us is very beneficial. During the exchange we got in touch with like minded people in Albania and we are starting our collaboration with them as we speak.”

What can you advise to future Erasmus young entrepreneurs?

If they really have in mind, what they want to learn, they can surely find a company. I am sure, they can benefit from it. I think that doing an exchange program, is a must for young people.