How has life changed for you since winning Miss Albania UK?
Life has mainly changed since the participation in Miss Earth. It is a privilege to be able to represent your country in such a pageant and the experiences that I lived during the time I was competing in The Philippines (where Miss Earth 2008 was held) have changed in some ways my life. I met people from all over the world and shared a month of my life with them. Coming back to Europe, I now see things very differently. New opportunities have been given to me and many contacts I have managed to keep. All these have changed the way I plan things for my future. Important to mention here, is the fact that after seeing such a different continent to the one I was born and grow up; made me appreciate my life and realize how lucky I am although I had never really thought about it in this way.

When you're not wearing your crown, what do you do "in real life"?
I do similar things to what I used to do before. I go to the university and study on my coursework, I work part time to cover my own expenses, I go out with my friends and to the gym regularly. I also do my cooking and housekeeping as I live away from my parents.  Shopping is another thing that I very often do and enjoy too.

What went through your mind when you found out you’d won?
That it wasn’t much time left until I go to The Philippines for Miss Earth and that I had soooo many things to prepare!

What’s the best thing that you’ve been able to do since you won?
Representing Albania in Miss Earth 2008 and meeting great people from all over the world.

What does being Albanian mean to you?
Pretty much everything. The way of living my life is connected to the fact that I am an Albanian. Is the way of thinking, the way I see the others around me being different, the life I have and it’s difficulties relate to my origin. You don’t really realize it very much until you live in a different country and then you think that you are different to everyone else mostly because you do things in a different way and have other priorities which to the others they don’t mean much, because you were brought up differently. I believe that who I am today, with my good and bad sides, is mostly because I am an Albanian.

What do you miss most about being away from Albania?
 My parents…I live away from them since I finished school as I came to study in The UK. The Albanians are very close to their families, so for me having my parents away is a hole in my life which is irreplaceable.

What makes you most proud to be Albanian?
If I was to state every single thing that makes me proud, I wouldn’t have finished this interview even in a week, but generally speaking, are the: - Ancient history of my country and its ancestors. -The uniqueness of our nation and its braveness.- Knowing that I am part of a nation who has never fought for attacking other nations but only for defense, peace and freedom. -The countless traditions and their richness in culture. -The unique language I speak and its different dialects. –the beautiful nature and the weather my country has.- the lovely and friendly people that the Albanians are.- the delicious cuisine and finally the great hospitality that you can only enjoy in Albania.

Who do you look up to and why?
The future. Because it is unpredictable. We all live life for a brighter future and that is what I look ahead on.

How will you look back on 2008?
As a challenging year with its ups and downs. The year I graduated from my first degree and the year I decided to study a second one. A year which towards its end gave me the reasons to plan 2009 very differently to the years before.

What are your resolutions for 2009?
To complete my second degree and seriously decide, for my future job.

Tell us a secret about you that no one knows!
If I was to tell you, then that wouldn’t be a secret anymore…so I’d rather not say anything.

Shefdomi.com woud like to Thank Rudina Suti for the interview.
For more photos of Rudina Suti click here