You are already a fourth-year student at IIRPS VU; how did you choose to study at the Institute? What were the most memorable aspects of your studies?

The choice to study at IIRPS VU was very unexpected. Growing up in a family of aeronautical engineers and business administrators, my strongest skills were in mathematics and physics, so there was no doubt in my mind that I would follow in the footsteps of either of my parents. But as I approached the choice, I discovered my creativity and rhetorical skills, an unexpected attraction to politics, qualities that might have been suppressed in other fields of study. So, after long deliberations, sleepless nights, and a reluctance to leave my hometown, Kaunas, I still realized that I would only be able to fulfil myself fully at IIRPS VU.

From the first moment, the IIRPS VU community made me feel fully part of it; joining organisations, events and participating in academic discussions, I have never felt so fulfilled and on the right path. Most surprisingly, mathematical thinking has been a complete asset for me in philosophy, social sciences, and international relations, as I have been able to weave complex approaches and argumentation networks even in my head and tackle some of the biggest political and moral issues of our time with the help of motivating and engaging professors. I have never found such a variety of ideas and a unique connection between lecturers and students anywhere else.

You are currently working on your bachelor’s thesis; if you could pass on a message to first-year student Greta, what would you say to her?

I’m working on my bachelor’s thesis on NGO-government cooperation in the context of the war in Ukraine. The choice of this topic was undoubtedly inspired by my working environment and the people I was working with at the time on the very important issue of aid to Ukraine. I came to the first year with the idea of learning a lot, learning how to do things properly and then working in my profession. But I never thought that studying was not only about knowledge but also about making acquaintances and creating experiences. It’s not for nothing that it’s called the most beautiful stage of human life. So, I would like to remind first-year student Gretutė that People are one of the greatest gifts I will take away from these IIRPS VU studies.

You are currently the head of the IIRPS VU Student Scientific Society (SMD). How did you join this organisation? What have you already achieved? What are your next plans?

I joined IIRPS VU SMD in my second year. It stood out because of its scholarship and commitment to promoting political science. I immediately got involved in transcribing interviews, organising philosophy seminars and events, and started the SMD IIRPS YouTube channel. For many of us, studying at Vilnius University meant moving away from home and close people, so SMD became a second home, and members became friends.

My term as Chair is already halfway through. Thanks to a lot of effort, we have attracted as many as 20 new members. We have great Philosophy Seminars, Movie Nights, and Book Clubs. You will soon be able to read the SMD’s almanack of the Best Writing 2022-2023, and for the second year now, I have been curating the hugely popular lectures on the history of warfare given by Dr. Deividas Šlekys. But there is certainly more to do as we work towards the full institutionalisation of the SMD and work on new projects. For example, I think it was great to be involved in the Annual Lithuanian Political Science Conference, organising the IIRPS VU student session this year. Spring semester events are already in the pipeline, and we are working on joint projects with students from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. SMD is thriving, and I am delighted to be part of such a vibrant organisation.

You worked in the team of Deputy Foreign Minister Jovita Neliupšienė. How did you get on? How did this experience influence your next career steps?

This year, I had the invaluable opportunity to work with one of the world’s most inspiring diplomats and leaders, Deputy Minister Jovita Neliupšienė. Vilnius is sad, and Washington is very lucky to have such a diplomat continue her work in this city. I am grateful to have learned from her and seen the diplomatic world so closely, especially at this difficult time. I think I was able to bring my mathematician’s contribution to the team as well, contributing to the implementation of the EU’s sanctions against Russia at a difficult time. When I started here, I didn’t expect to be welcomed into the team so openly and quickly and to be able to accompany the Deputy Minister on trips to London and Brussels. In addition, I was involved in the NATO Summit, was the liaison officer for the wife of the Greek Prime Minister and contributed to the work of the Protocol Unit. Studying and fully committing to my work simultaneously has not been easy. Still, it has given me many lessons, experiences, invaluable friendships and acquaintances that I will continue to cultivate. This has inspired me to pursue a career in the diplomatic service – I look forward to returning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. With all its difficulties and joys, I can’t imagine a more diverse, unpredictable, vibrant environment for personal growth and work for my country.

You participate in rally racing, how did you discover this activity?

Racing and technology have always been part of our family. I spent some of my childhood evenings in the garage, as my dad was a Lithuanian motorsport racer for many years but took a break from the sport when he started a family. When I reached my teens in 2018, I received an offer to return to motorsport with him. Without any training, we started our team activity with a 3-day race “Ralis aplink Lietuvą” with a retro car VAZ-2106. You could say that I “learned to swim” very quickly when I was thrown into such a sport, or I already had it in my blood because we took second place right away. It only took one time to fall in love with the sport, the lessons, the adrenaline rush and the wonderful bonding and time with my family. Next year, we joined the Lithuanian Mini Rally Championship (LMRČ) and have participated in it for five years. In 2019, I became the first woman to win the championship title in the LMRČ Retro class. And this year, I’m behind the wheel of my own car and taking part in a street race. It gives me a lot of joy, and I’m also an example to the girls that nothing is out of our reach.

What would you like to wish the IIRPS VU community?

During my studies, I realised what an important part of society the IIRPS community is. In my circles, I am often asked to comment on a political process or crisis, suggest better strategies, or dispel uncertainty. We live in a complex period of multidimensional crisis, and as an exemplary and creative community, we should spread rational peace and warmth, communion and mindfulness of one another. So, I wish to see this as an aspiration within our community and within each of us in our environment and family, sharing knowledge and kindness.