u/hipsterreplacement

I try very hard to be respectful. But different cultures have different norms and even sometimes different ideas of how to show respect. Sometimes I do something to show respect, then wonder if what I'm doing is misinterpreted because it means something different here. I worry about this.

What are things you feel foreigners commonly do that you find disrespectful and what is it you feel they should do instead?

(Let us assume that the foreigners are already trying to learn Albanian and speaking the amount of Albanian they are capable of right now...)

Hello. I finished a Masters in Horticulture & Agronomy from a major US land grant university. Unfortunately, I'm trying to do grad school decades after most universities have folded their pomology and botany programs into "plant sciences". Worse, lots of PhDs with funding now seem to me to be about using AI or other heavily computation-driven approaches to plants, to the neglect of in-person observation and hands-on work.

I'm wondering which European (EU is great, but they don't have to be in the EU) programs are left that have any options beyond that. I am unfortunately unable to do lots of fieldwork due to disability. I have experience with plant tissue culture, microscopy, fieldwork in nearby cultivated situations (like a large botanical garden ex vitro collection, germplasm repositories, research farms, and street trees). I have some molecular biology experience as well, but not a ton. I'd love to learn more in an environment that balances molecular with the macro.

I'd like to find a funded PhD and healthy academic environment at an institution that values the macro as well as the micro. An institution that can give me a grounding in botany and/or pomology (whether that's formally through classes or by being mentored by a PI). I have really enjoyed my work in germplasm conservation and would love to end up at an institution like NordGen or other hort/ag gene bank.

I've been poking around PhD announcements for months now, but I'd love to get folks' opinions about programs in Europe (although Canada and NZ are also of interest).

Thought folks might be interested in seeing this. Lots of differences between the situations (Cockroach Janta Party <>Flamingo Revolution) but some similarities as well.

For disability reasons, I cannot ride the kind of bikes that are available for rental at various cities even though it would be more convenient to do so. I have a trike that works for me, but it would be hard for me to simply ride from city to city, especially if there are mountains in-between. A trike that looks like some of the ones on this page: https://www.recumbent.news/category/the-recumbent-bike-gear/trikes/

Even though my trike can fold into a smaller size, I am assuming the furgon buses would not let me bring it with me, even for an extra fee. Do you think there is any kind of transport available that would allow me to bring my trike with me to visit other cities in Albania? I am located in Tirana and would be interested in visiting Shkodër, Pogradec, Durrës, Vlorë, and other cities in the south.

I figured I would at least ask folks before giving up on this dream. I really enjoy riding a cycle and it would allow me to more easily enjoy my destination if I could bring my trike with me.

I know how to drive, but unfortunately I do not have a valid license so I cannot legally rent a car and drive at the moment (and would not want to disobey the law).

Faleminderit

About this channel - which is new to me: "ENTR a unique channel made by young journalists from DW, France Médias Monde and partners all over Europe."

I thought I'd post this as it's good to see coverage still happening, especially when they talk to protestors instead of bringing in journalists who don't usually cover Albania.

Hi. I haven't seen any lumber stores in Tirana and when I search online, I'm only finding very large business-to-business lumber corporations in Albania with websites. Are there any stores in town where you can buy a few pieces of high quality softwood for making a chair, a box, and other practical, but not polished projects?

Is there a word or phrase I should be using for better search results?

This one looks like it *might* sell to non-businesses, but they're all the way in Durrës. https://wood.al/

I'm still looking for a small ongoing Albanian language learning class (for Anglophones). But I found this and thought I'd pass it on in case it fits others' needs. It's a more formal University of Tirana class in the month of September (I've got travel plans in Sept or else I might have tried this.)

https://fhf.edu.al/en/provimi-i-gjuhes-shqipe/

"The Department of Linguistics informs all interested parties that the summer school “Albanian Language Course for Foreigners” will be held from September 1–30, 2026.

This intensive course is offered to students and researchers at levels A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, and includes:

• Language classes structured by proficiency level;
• Lectures on Albanian history, geography, and culture;
• Socio-cultural activities such as museum visits and trips to various cities across Albania...."

Please pardon my ignorance. I'm sure this comes from some difference in banks handling money and mints making it that I'm yet unaware of.

I have noticed for a long time that coins seem very in demand. I like to keep mine for the bus and purchases from very small vendors (or vendors who tend not to give me my change back so I want to pay in exact amount). But sometimes even a chain market like Spar or Big Market that I would figure has a lot of money on hand will look at the change in my hand and instead of taking the money I offer to pay with, will exchange it for the equivalent amount of smaller coins in my hand.

Do the mints not make many coins? Do the banks not give businesses smaller change for their purposes? Can you explain to me what has made coins so coveted by businesses? Thank you.

Which place in Tirana do you like that carries things like a GoPro chest mount or bike helmet mount, a cell phone mount for a bike, 360 cameras, mics etc.?

I know Shpresa carries at least some of these things, but I don't think I've seen GoPro mounts there.

Does anyone have an English-speaking (because my Albanian is coming along, but slowly) tax advisor in Tirana that they can recommend? I should probably consult with one in general, but I also wanted to get a quick consult on a mobility aid I need to import.

I can do a web search, but I'd really like to know of someone people have worked with and recommend.

I'm not on Meta stuff so I tend not to find out about many of the "expat" activities here. When I say "progressive", I'm not talking about political parties in Albania (or any other country) per se. I'm speaking feeling about issues ways that are generally considered progressive like sustainability, biodiversity, affordable housing, good wages & benefits, public health & sanitation, etc.

I'd be happy to meet other foreigners and especially Albanians who have a progressive bent. Are there any coffee chats, events, or cultural centers that might be more conducive to that?