Youth on the move: What open borders will mean for North Macedonia’s youth

Youth on the move: What open borders mean for North Macedonia’s youth

The youth of North Macedonia have already enjoyed a slice of European freedom through visa-free travel in the Schengen area. The ability to move freely for holidays or cultural activities has made us feel closer to Europe. But full integration into the European Union means something much bigger than tourism or short visits. For us young people, open borders are the gateway to a freer and richer life with opportunities for study, work and personal development. They are the road that connects us not only to European cities and countries, but also to a new way of living where freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.

For many young people in our country, the dream of studying at a foreign university has often been accompanied by bureaucratic obstacles. Currently, although we can travel without a visa, in order to start our studies we have to go through a long process of documents, insurance and residence permits. EU integration will change this reality. A young man from Skopje will have the right to enroll in the University of Vienna under the same conditions as his European peers. A girl from Gostivar can become part of a scientific program in Paris without worrying about additional legal barriers. Student exchange opportunities such as Erasmus+ will broaden our horizons, allowing us to live and learn in different countries and then return home with knowledge and experiences that help modernize education in North Macedonia.

Open borders are not just about books and diplomas. They are also closely linked to the world of work and professional development. Today, many young people from our country look to the EU to build their careers, but face complicated procedures to find a job or to do a professional internship. Full integration means that these barriers will be removed. An information technology student who has just graduated from the faculty in Tetovo will be able to work in an innovative company in Berlin without unnecessary obstacles. A young woman from Kicevo studying visual arts will have the opportunity to do an internship in a gallery in Amsterdam, gaining experience that will turn into valuable capital when she returns to her country. For us young people, this is not just a matter of employment, but a way to understand that our careers can be built at a European level, being part of a large and dynamic market.

Another important aspect that open borders bring is cultural exchange. We need to get to know closely how young people in other countries live, what traditions they have, how they see life and how they face the common challenges of our generation. With integration, this will not be just a short tourist experience, but an opportunity to stay longer, to learn new languages ​​and to share our culture with others. The youth of North Macedonia will become an active part of the European cultural mosaic, showing that our country has music, traditions, art and history that are worth knowing and respecting. At the same time, we will return with a broader understanding of diversity and a stronger European identity that unites everyone without differences.

Tourism is another area where open borders will have a direct impact. Young people who want to work in the tourism sector will have more visitors, more opportunities to open small businesses and develop creative ideas. North Macedonia has extraordinary natural resources, from Lake Ohrid to the Sharr Mountains. When travel becomes easier and the country is part of a single European market, tourists will come more often and for longer. For us young people, this translates into seasonal work, opportunities for internships in tourism management and for developing projects related to eco-tourism and environmental conservation.

But open borders are not just a privilege. They also bring responsibilities. We as young people of North Macedonia will become ambassadors of our country in every city in Europe we go to. Our behavior, the way we present our culture and values, will directly affect the perception others have of our country. This gives us a responsibility to show that we are an open, respectful generation, ready to learn from others, but also to share the best of ourselves.

At the same time, the experience we gain abroad should be turned into a contribution to our country. A young man who has seen how recycling works in Denmark can bring ideas for ecological projects to his city. A girl who worked in a startup in the Netherlands can open a similar business in Skopje. Thus, open borders do not only make us citizens of Europe, but also make us agents of change in our society.

In the end, open borders for the young people of North Macedonia represent more than just an opportunity to cross the border without obstacles. They are a window to a new world of possibilities, a step towards a life where young people can choose more freely where they want to study, work and live. They give us the chance to build strong bridges with young Europeans and to be part of a larger community where shared values ​​connect us more than the borders that divide us. For us as a young generation, this is a dream come true, a chance to live a freer and fuller life, and an opportunity to make North Macedonia an active part of the European family.

***This article was prepared by participants in the activities of the project “With Youth, Art and Journalism – Towards the EU Path”, which is funded by the European Union through ALDA Balkans, Eurothink and BIRC.***