“It is almost my 4th year in Lithuania, the country that I initially actually came to for only 6 months. IIRPS VU and my Eastern European and Russian master studies here help me widen my horizons. They do it not only by teaching in classes, but also by giving me “study trip” opportunities. Once a semester I travel to and can observe internal dynamics of countries of the region. Lithuania is in a perfect position geopolitically – it lies between two blocs of different political traditions which enables me to understand and analyze both the EU and Russia in a distinct manner. For the Turkish citizen that I am, the knowledge and skills I am gaining here are indispensable because of its geopolitical and historic uniqueness. I am sure that one day all of it will help me in the future.”