Her academic and professional background and experience is characterized by an interlace of linguistics and Human Rights that have naturally contributed to her primary profession - diplomacy.

She holds a MA degree in Contemporary Diplomacy from the University of Malta while she continues her research in the field of Foreign and Security Policies of emerging states. She is a PhD Candidate at the National University of Public Services, Institute for International Studies in Budapest.

Prior to her appointment in Hungary, Shkendije has worked in the field of Human Rights for nearly a decade. She has a rich experience in working with international organizations in different senior positions. She was also an Associate Lecturer at the University of Pristina in Kosovo.

Shkendije is very passionate about music, she plays piano and guitar. She is married to Tansel Sherifi, and has two children, Nisa and Ene.
 

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived in Hungary in January, 2010. I came here to establish the first Embassy of Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence in 17 February, 2008. Hungary was one of the first states to recognize the independent state of Kosovo, therefore I was so proud and excited to be the first Ambassador in a friendly country such as Hungary.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, but for shorter periods. As a student, I was in Berlin, Germany for six months and later on in Geneva, Switzerland where I did my internship in the United Nations, Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights. I have also had many study visits throughout Europe and US.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The hospitality of Hungarian counterparts in different institutions, they were very supportive and this made me feel at home.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
Budapest offers a lot, it is simply beautiful and impressive. These are the places that I have showed to almost all the friends that have visited Budapest: Parliament, Basilica, Fisherman’s Bastion, Hungarian Opera House, Buda Casle-Royal Palace, Heroes’ Sqaure, Synagoge, House of Terror, Citadela, Margitsziget. I also want to share with you what I recently discovered, it is the Veli Bej Bath, an old bath from the ottoman times but with modern fixtures.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Fisherman’s Soup or as they call it here halászlé that is best made in the city of Szeged.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Cheese and Hungarian salami.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Virág

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Morning macchiato with friends and the optimism and happiness people from this corner of the world carry with them despite of many difficulties.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I have always wanted to become a professional piano player and play the world greatest piano masterpieces.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
I wouldn’t like a job that is office bound with a lot of admin staff.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Turkey, it was a marvelous vacation, seaside combined with sightseeing.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Most probably in Albania, I possess a small apartment in the Adriatic coast, Durres but certainly visiting the beautiful Albanian coast of south is always a must.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I loved Queen, U2, Guns N Roses, Metalica and many, many more.
Film: Rain Man with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise
Hobby: Guitar, this was the time when my brother, a rock guitar player taught me the first chords.

14. Apart of temptation what can't you resist?
Good wine and staying long with old and true friends.

15. Red wine or white?
Red.

16. Book or movie?
Book

17. Morning person or night person?
Definitively a night person, even when I have to write papers, I do it at night, my creativity increases during the night.

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Human Rights, equality, freedom in every sense of the word.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Both :-)

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Love