Diana Satterfield on the Benefits of Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone

Article written by Fulbrighter Diana Satterfield.

The ocean between me, my Fulbright placement, and my comfort zone

An oversized purse, threatening to burst the zipper, is squeezed beneath the seat in front of me leaving no room for my feet. Totaling the flight times, layovers, and taxi, it will take nearly 24 hours to reach the final destination, Prizren, Kosovo. That’s ample time to reflect on the ocean of distance between me and my comfort zone.

While adventures have been sprinkled throughout nearly 30 years of teaching, representing the USA as a Fulbright Specialist is a challenge that even my adventure-seeking DNA isn’t prepared for. It’s my fear of failure. Fulbright projects are unique to the host, location, and institutional goals. Therefore, it is difficult to feel fully prepared. That leaves me 24 hours to marinate in self-doubt.

In reflection, it was an honor to be selected as a Fulbright Specialist with expertise in the fields of Education and Communications. Projects for which a Specialist might be matched are highly competitive and I was fortunate to be matched to a project in Prizren, Kosovo. The project required me to develop workshops that were tailored to the needs of the 40-member governing Assembly (mostly Cabinet Chiefs) and their staff, in areas related to Communications. It was a wildly diverse group that presented a variety of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Therefore, each workshop was carefully modified to address different needs as well as delivered in Albanian, the native language in Kosovo.

While stepping into a new professional realm was challenging, it was also extremely rewarding. I learned tremendously from these highly accomplished adults who were leaders and experts of their Cabinets. The professional collaboration was deeply impactful and immensely satisfying. Moreover, observing Assembly meetings, listening to public feedback and concerns, and seeing how governing actually takes place was a completely new and enlightening experience. I developed new professional muscles by applying my teaching skills and knowledge of communication in a new environment.

As a teacher and student of History, visiting this region of Europe was particularly valuable to me professionally and personally. Located in the Balkan Mountains in Southeastern Europe, Kosovo has faced a difficult path to statehood. While influenced by some of the greatest empires, its culture has also been shaped by 20th Century conflicts such as the World Wars, Communist domination, and hostile neighbors. The 1990s led to the struggle for independence which forged a patriotic identity and pride that is built only through shared struggle. In Prizren, every family has been affected by the war for independence. The sense of pride in achieving this goal is palpable and a key element in the national identity, which I would describe as tapestried. It weaves together Albanian ethnicity, language, Muslim traditions, and European culture into something quite unique.

For example, roughly 25% of women are covered, all others wear Western attire. While no pork is served at restaurants, beer and wine are available at most establishments that include local selections. Cuisine is as tapestried as the culture - pizza shops, ice cream/gelatto, local fresh fish, Greek salads (tomato and cucumber served with every meal), roasted chicken, exquisite sweet shops that allow you to sample before you buy. And then there’s my personal obsession: qebabs, a beef sausage that is grilled. People are very friendly and anyone under 30 speaks English. Also, it is very safe. I found it interesting, however, that I never felt out of place, but somehow, I stand out as a foreigner. In my head, I thought I looked like everyone else.

Specifically, Prizren, my home base, is the second largest city in Kosovo and recognized as the historical and cultural capital. While it has modern conveniences there are visible reminders of its rich history from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. 

From my hotel and office at the “White House” (the affectionate name for the seat of government), I could easily walk to the ancient hilltop fortress that overlooks the city. Cobble-stone streets weave throughout, particularly stunning in the ancient city-center, where the Prizren Bistrica River runs through with cafes, shops, gardens, mosques, and Orthodox churches connected by stone pedestrian bridges. This bustling area is alive with both locals and tourists. It is so deeply charming that I walk to this location daily and spend hours wandering the sites, sampling cafés, and chatting with passersby. After 6 weeks, it would be impossible to count all of my orders of macchiato and qebabs.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is daunting. Leaving home to live in a hotel room in a country you’ve never visited, working in a new capacity, preparing your life, bills, responsibilities, and - oh gosh, leaving the dog for six weeks - is all a little terrifying. But do it. The impact, both personally and professionally would take pages to explain. I am deeply honored to have represented my country in this way. So, if you get the opportunity, take it. Cross the ocean.