Since 1994, a community partnership comprising several hundred business, education and healthcare professionals from West Michigan have traveled to Albania working with their counterparts on a variety of projects. These projects have been both clinical and non-clinical in focus, from one-on-one training to conferences and workshops, from developing organizational models to setting up teaching programs. At the onset of this endeavor, the US partnership had no understanding of the Albanian culture and our approach was to assess the needs based on our observations and expectations. It became evident early in our association that this approach was not appropriate, as we had not established a true partnership with the people of Albania as defined in the scholarship of engagement. Although the US partners had the best intentions, we did not collaborate with the people who live and work in Albania. For projects to be successful they must be developed in conjunction with the Albanian people and fit within their culture or the outcome of sustainability will be not realized. Another issue is readiness. Although there may be an identified need for a project, the conditions in country or the composition of the US partnership may not be conducive for success. Flexibility and patience are essential. As the scholarship of engagement purports, the benefits to an international partnership are reciprocal. Benefits to the partners in West Michigan have been immeasurable. The team has learned to grow and change as the projects have unfolded. Traveling to and working in Albania with co-workers has generated new trust and support. New friends are made on both sides of the ocean; new opportunities arise along with being enriched by a broader view of world.
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