Welcome to saying goodbye

Tomorrow will be the last working day of my first four weeks at the OSCE Head Quarters. During these four weeks 4 out of 22 people in my division informed me that they would not extend their contract and leave Kosovo this summer. That is more than 18%. More than I have ever experienced before.

Such a turnover rate requires a lot of attention: planning an exit conversation, arranging temporary replacement, making sure that files are handed over correctly, preparing recruitment, organizing a leave party, buying a present and preparing a speech.

Other managers told me that this is one of the characteristics of the OSCE. But this summer it is worse then ever. The main reason is the expected status settlement of Kosovo. Most of the people that are leaving have been here several years. They have contributed to bringing Kosovo from a civil war to the threshold of something new. For them it must feel like a right time to leave.

But it makes me a little sad. I had expected that some of the people that are leaving could have become friends. Now I have come to realize that making friends here is not that easy. All internationals will leave one day. Some earlier than me.

Last week somebody I just met greeted me with "Welcome to saying goodbye..."