What motivated you to study Political Science at IIRPS VU?

I can’t say that I immediately decided that I wanted to study specifically Political Science. I had been thinking about studying philology for a long time. Still, I was undecided whether I wanted to study two foreign languages or just study my mother tongue, Lithuanian. However, my choice to study at IIRPS VU was mostly motivated by my successful history exam and my parents’ recommendation, which made me interested in the diversity of the study programme at IIRPS VU. I am glad that I made this decision because the studies helped me to grow as a person, not only to understand the political context but also to acquire the basics of economics and law and to develop my writing and language skills – after all, written work constantly requires the application of critical thinking, analysing information and relating it to a particular situation or problem, while seminars encourage discussion, listening to others, and reaching a common consensus. I think that if I wanted to go back to language learning after my studies at IIRPS, it would be much easier now.

You are a member of several IIRPS VU student organisations. How does it help you in the institute and your studies? What are your most memorable moments in the organisations?

I believe that the start of a career begins with volunteering and organising because that’s how you build your confidence, contribute to society, gain experience and make connections in the community. Joining the Students’ Scientific Society and the Students’ Representation allowed me to experience the full life of a student at IIRPS – during the day, you study and learn, and in the evening, you have discussions with your peers, organise events, and have a good time. The organisations strengthened the sense of responsibility and curiosity, encouraged teamwork, and gave more self-confidence and motivation to learn and broaden your horizons beyond seminars and lectures. The most enjoyable part of the organisation is the opportunity to spend more time with and get to know the lecturers (for example, on a conference trip, an expedition or discussing a book in a student-organised book club). Therefore, the most memorable moments of the activities in the organisations were the participation in the interdisciplinary scientific student conference “INSOMNIA 2023” in Elektrėnai and the organisation of the Political Science Days. Before the INSOMNIA 2023 conference, I received support and encouragement to attend from both the students and the faculty of the scientific society, so I really appreciate it. It was very interesting to prepare a presentation on the Lithuanian determination to defend Lithuania and the process of preparing for the conference itself – analysing the data collected from the 2022 SMD summer expedition, coding the interviews, and even rehearsing in front of the professors. Well, I don’t need to say much about the organisation of PoDi – every IIRPS student should contribute to its organisation at least once because it is an amazing student experience.

You contributed to the organisation of the “Transparency International” School of Transparency. Tell us what this volunteering experience was like.

Until then, all my activities were oriented towards Lithuania or the university community, and I had not really set foot outside Lithuania, so this volunteering was a difficult but valuable challenge, as it was my first exposure to the international space, a start to step out of my comfort zone and grow: the location is still Vilnius, Lithuania, but the participants are from different countries around the world, and the ways of fighting corruption are particularly relevant to me as a student of political science. The volunteer team was made up of 5 selected people – we were small for an event of this kind, so it was an intense week of preparation and the school itself, but we were extremely understanding of each other, worked efficiently and shared the work. I contributed to Transparency International’s Transparency School in a very important role as the coordinator of the fourth group. I coordinated ten people from different countries around the world – from Sakartvelo, Ukraine, the UK, Mexico, Guatemala, Germany, Moldova, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Netherlands – who also ranged in age from 19 to 40. I also sold Transparency School merchandise and spent a lot of time on site, where I often had to translate between the dormitory wardens and the participants (to get room keys) and answer questions. This volunteering gave me a lot of freedom to contribute to the event itself: greeting guests, conducting introductory activities, and guiding the participants on excursions around Vilnius and Trakai. During the plenary sessions, I also had the opportunity to listen to top anti-corruption and transparency experts from 15 countries on a wide range of topics on corruption and ways to fight it, from illegal landfills in Lithuania to corruption in sports. I think the event went smoothly and successfully, and I gained experience in organising international events, coordinating groups of people, and communicating. Volunteering at the “Transparency International” School of Transparency was a great opportunity to network with experts from different foreign countries and to share mutual experiences on politics and anti-corruption.

In 2023, you participated in the IIRPS VU Students Scientific Societies Summer Scientific Expedition – how was your research? What did you learn that was new or unexpected?

During the IIRPS VU Students Scientific Societies research summer expedition, we delved deeper into the memories and experiences of the post-Soviet transformation period after 1990 of the former employees of Panevėžys “Ekranas”, or the small entrepreneurs at the beginning of the independence. We sought to learn about their everyday life in the context of socioeconomic changes. The main challenge of the expedition was to speak to people who were less inclined to talk and ask simplistic questions about political phenomena to further clarify their views. Surprisingly, the majority of the informants said that they had not felt the impact of the transition in their lives. Nevertheless, I am glad that the trip was well organised and that I had the opportunity to get to know the city of Panevėžys, visit the neighbourhood of “Ekranas”, and in the evening, discuss with lecturers and other students the political future of Lithuania and the impressions from the research.

What would you like to wish for the Institute community?

T – Internationality

S – Integrity

P – Philosophising

M – Motivation

I – Imaginative