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On Saturday, October 17, YES Abroad students in Skopje took a day trip to the town of Tetovo, a small city in northwestern Macedonia. The excursion was eye-opening for YES students because it allowed them to see a different side of Macedonia. As Brendan S. explained, “Tetovo has a unique ethnic makeup [because] the city is majority Albanian.” He noted that “the way ethnic groups interact in Tetovo is far different from the way the ethnic groups interact in Skopje. In [Skopje], the ethnic groups tend to separate from each other. However, in Tetovo, this separation is far less distinct.”

Upon arrival, students walked through the local market and met up with Simona Ristovska, an alumna of the YES program. Their morning began with a trip to the local bakery, Burektore Bosnia, which is famous for its traditional Tetovo burek topped with a special cream. Maxwell M. described the burek as, “a meal made with layered filo dough and your choice of meat, cheese, potatoes, spinach, or pizza (this list is not exclusive).” Yum!

The group visited a number of famous historic sites in Tetovo after their breakfast, including the old bazaar, old stone bridge, and Šarena Džamija, otherwise known as “Painted Mosque.” The name comes from its painted exterior and Maxwell M. said, “thirty thousand eggs were used to assist the painters of the mosque in order for the outside paint to be preserved.”

The group continued their journey and went to Lešok Monastery, which was established in 1326 and is located just outside Tetovo. Before leaving the monastery, they stopped at its café. Maxwell M. said, “it was an excellent opportunity for us to bond over coffee and reflect about our [YES Abroad] experience.”

The students then headed off for lunch, where they were able to sample delicious specialties typical of the Tetovo region. The foods, which included shekerpare and nazlifatmi, are made by both Macedonians and Albanians for special occasions and holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and Eid Mubarak. After exploring the main city center, shopping, and a stop at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church, the group headed back to Skopje. As Maxwell M. put it, “the trip was a bittersweet way for us to celebrate our two months of being together. It was an opportunity I hope never to forget.”