After attending the Multicultural fair on campus in 2024, student Elmedina Zekaj felt there was a need to share her Albanian culture on campus. Zekaj is a proud Albanian and this is shared amongst her peers as well. She noticed that many people liked learning about their culture and that’s when Zekaj started the Albanian Eagles club. 

“No one really knew about our culture,”said Zekaj who currently is the president of the club.. She continued that at their first event, many people came and those who were not Albanian still enjoyed themselves and loved learning about their culture. 

However, you don’t have to be Albanian to enjoy this club. Anyone is welcome, there are many different cultures that attend events. 

Students can expect to be welcomed with open arms. 

“Hospitality is taken seriously, it’s embedded into our culture,”said Zekaj, continuing that during war time many cultures would come to Albania and they would welcome them into their homes. 

They want visitors to feel welcomed and comfortable. They share more than just beliefs and want new visitors to be engaged in learning about their culture. 

“It’s more like a social club,” Zekaj continues. They don’t just sit around talking in Albanian. Zekaj wants to engage new visitors to learn and feel a part of the club. 

For other activities sometimes they will introduce a traditional dance from Albania called Valle, dancers hold each other’s hands and dance in a circle. They will serve delicious treats as well such as, byrek a traditional pie that can have spinach or meat and baklava. 

If there is interest in learning more about traditional Albanian food, Atko in Livonia Michigan is a traditional market. 

Zekaj is proud of how far this club has come. 

“I am incredibly proud to be Albanian and deeply honored to be part of Schoolcraft College,”said Zekaj. She continues that they are looking for someone to take her place as president once she graduates. Zekaj hopes that someone can take over the torch and proudly continue to run the club after she graduates. 

You can find the Albanian Club and many other countries at this year’s Multicultural Fair taking place Thursday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the DiPonio Room inside the Vistatech Center. Anyoneinterested in learning more about different cultures, should attend this event.