You have completed your Bachelor’s studies at the Institute, and you are currently studying in the Master’s programme of International Relations and Diplomacy; how did you choose to study at the Institute? Which subjects do you like the most? 

I actually wanted to choose a security or military studies programme for my Master’s degree, which was not an option except abroad. I still do not rule it out, and I am still strongly considering it – it would be useful and relevant to gain experience abroad. After deciding that the circumstances were not the best for me to leave for the time being, I decided to continue my studies at my Alma Mater because I really enjoy studying and I really like our Institute. This semester I am in a good mood – the word “security” can be found in almost two-thirds of the titles of the compulsory or elective subjects. I’m joking a bit, but working and living with the National Defence System, not a day goes by without security topics. 

You are currently working for the Ministry of National Defence; what are the most interesting aspects of your job that you come across? Do you often have to apply the knowledge acquired at IIRPS when working in this field?

I will soon be counting my first year in the Ministry of National Defence. It makes me smile now when I think how often people used to tell me that there was nothing much going on in the ministries, no serious changes or innovations. Well, my year was very dynamic and varied, and the word routine was not even an option. I started just a few days after the outbreak of the large-scale war in Ukraine, working on policy development in support of Ukraine, and not too long ago, I changed my field of work to the position of Adviser in the Cybersecurity and Information Technology Policy Group. However, the most interesting thing for me is to work with experts in their field, people who have worked in the National Defence System for many years. You can learn every day, and then I enjoy putting it into practice. And I think that studying at IIRPS will help everyone in the job market, just because of the broad critical thinking that we acquire.   

You are a volunteer in the National Defence Forces; why did you join the volunteer forces, and what does it mean to you?

I started a 3-year Junior Officer Commanders’ Course when I was 18 years old. After spending practically every other weekend of the academic year there, I couldn’t imagine life any other way. So the National Defence Volunteer Force was a natural progression. It is true that nature is quite different, but again, the people are wonderful, motivated, civic and inspiring. I see these weekends as a bit different from leisure time – this is my return to a country that raised me, educated me, and gave me the desire to learn and explore. The least I can give back is being a citizen. And that’s up to each individual to choose their favourite form of citizenship. Starting a weekend morning in the woods in an ambush or sleeping in a moss bed with a gun around you is kind of surreal, but it makes sense in the bigger picture. 

Self-empowerment in the defence sector and love for the state – you highlighted these themes at the Women Empower event, what would be your key messages you would like to share?

The war in Ukraine has given pain to everyone in their own way. We probably all remember the night of the 24th, the dawn. Things that are beyond our common sense. This event, which I attended, I can mentally dedicate to my dear friend Svitlana, who we took into our home in March, fleeing the war, and then she decided to try to continue her life here in Vilnius, pursuing her goals. Almost a year of friendship with a wonderful woman has really inspired me, and I spoke at the event about that inspiration, the will and the ability to keep in mind one’s purpose even in a tragic time. I think the most important message was that we often talk now about the lessons learned during the Russian war against Ukraine. About the homework that we have to do ourselves. However, what is most important are the lessons that every Ukrainian will be able to give us after the war (and can already give us), the lessons that we will want like the air, because they will be our greatest teachers – the men and women of Ukraine. So, when I talked about inspiring the Ukrainian women, I said that they are a great inspiration for me, for us, and that our support will not go anywhere. 

You are involved in sports, photography, how do you keep up and what is your passion? What other activities are you interested in?

I actually discovered sport just before my quarantine. I started doing Crossfit, and then, when the clubs closed, when I needed something to do to keep me from going crazy within the four walls, I started running – first 3, 5, and then 15, 20 kilometres. Sport is now a big part of my life – I do it at least 4, usually 5 times a week. Probably the best hour or two in the day, especially in a Crossfit club, where there is a wonderful community, a helping hand or a helpful tip. I wish everyone could discover their favourite form of movement – you’d be surprised how much your body can do. Maybe it’s because of my fast-paced lifestyle that I love ultra-fast sports so much 😊 Photography has been a great way for me to relax since I was a teenager, especially when I’m taking pictures of close friends.  

What would you like to wish the IIRPS VU community?

A while ago, a colleague said that all of us at IIRPS “have that kind of style”. I remember a moment when I photographed a lady’s bachelorette party, where, of course, there were a lot of girls, some of them talking intensively about current affairs, Lithuania and the world. I had the feeling that the girls were from IIRPS. I went to one of them and asked. She said yes, and was very surprised how I knew. Well, I wish all of us not to lose that ” passionate”, interested, questioning character. For me, IIRPS is first and foremost about very interesting people, and I feel this especially when I sit among journalists, archaeologists or life science graduates during my Master’s studies. Let’s not stop surprising!