European Studies Master Programme students meet Stanford University students

The meeting was held at the European Commission Representation in Latvia, "EU House", and it was organized in the framework of discussion moderated by Romans Putāns, ph.D. candidate, researcher at the Centre for European and Transition Studies (CETS) and graduate of the European Studies Master Programme. During the discussion, issues related to Latvia as a member of the EU as well as education and study process in Latvia were discussed. The opening lecture about Latvia`s economic developments was given by Professor Dr. Tatjana Muravska, director of European Studies Master Programme and head of the CETS at the University of Latvia, followed by interventions from other members of CETS – graduates and researchers Janis Aprāns, Denīze Ponomarjova, lecturer Javier Mendoza, interns Stefano Greco, Simon Agez and Nena Markovic.

Stanford University students and professors were particularly interested in the development of socio-economic situation in Latvian since 2008, when Latvia experienced the sharpest economic downturn among the EU Member States, however, was able to stabilize the economic and financial situation in the country to a level that now has allowed Latvia to apply for the European Monetary Union, i.e., implementation of the single currency – euro. Also the educational process in Latvia, including study process, funding principles and tuition fees, as well as the competitiveness of graduates in the labour market and employment after graduation was discussed among European Studies Master Program and the Stanford University students. Stanford University students and faculty appreciated the high level of employment and the competitiveness of European Studies Master Program graduates at different levels of national, transnational, diplomatic, academic, private and other institutions in Latvian and European Union.

Stanford University in Berlin is one of ten overseas campuses run by the Bing Overseas Studies Program of Stanford University in United States. Stanford in Berlin hosts Stanford students of all majors. Students come to Berlin for periods of 3-9 months of study and optional, subsequent internships. Trips to new and prospective member states of the European Union are part of extracurricular activities, which gives students the opportunity of more practical experiences of different EU dimensions. Group of students from Stanford University in Berlin have already visited Latvia in 2005, when they had a chance to meet president of the Republic of Latvia H.E. Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. During this year, 2013, study visit group of students and faculty members of Stanford University in Berlin are staying in Latvia from 24^th to 27^th of April, having guest lectures and discussions with representatives of the University of Latvia, Bank of Latvia, other institutions, as well as students and members of youth organizations in Latvia.