Alumni dreams #275

Jaroslav Svoboda, a 2025 graduate of the Bachelor’s in International Studies, looks back on his time in the program as a period of exploration, growth, and discovery — both personal and academic.

When choosing a bachelor’s program, Jaroslav was drawn to BA IS for its interdisciplinary approach, combining politics, economics, culture, and history. Like many high school graduates, he wasn’t sure what career he wanted to pursue, but BA IS offered the space to explore a wide range of topics. He chose Europe as his regional focus, feeling both a personal connection to the continent where he grew up and an academic curiosity about its political and cultural complexity. This blend of the familiar and unfamiliar helped him develop a deep interest in European affairs.

His thesis, “Eastern Europe as a Hub of Illiberal Populism? Examining the Attitudes of the Czech Populist Party ANO to LGBT Rights,” examined the idea of an East–West divide in European political discourse. Jaroslav challenged the assumption that populism in Eastern Europe is monolithic. By focusing on ANO, the leading populist party in Czechia, he highlighted how its nuanced positions on issues like LGBT rights differ from more overtly illiberal populist parties in Poland or Hungary.

Throughout his studies, Jaroslav actively sought out opportunities to apply what he was learning in the classroom. He joined the Europe Committee of BASIS, where he served as a project manager and developed leadership and organizational skills. He also mentored first-year students, finding it both personally rewarding and a great way to support new members of the community.

Reflecting on his academic journey, Jaroslav values the critical thinking and analytical skills he gained most. “Sometimes I wish I could turn them off when watching a silly American movie,” he jokes, “but they’ve shaped the way I understand the world and engage with complex issues.”

After completing the core components of the BA IS program, Jaroslav took a well-planned gap year. In the first semester, he stayed affiliated with the university while interning at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy in Prague through Erasmus+. He then interned at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, gaining insight into policymaking at the national level. The rest of his year has been spent travelling through southern Africa, exploring perspectives beyond Europe and broadening his worldview.

From September, Jaroslav will begin a Master’s program in European Politics, either at Sciences Po in Paris or the University of Amsterdam. His gap year gave him valuable professional experience, strengthened his applications, and clarified his academic interests. He’s particularly interested in the intersection of democracy, EU policymaking, and political communication — themes he hopes to explore in depth during his Master’s and future career.

For current and prospective BA IS students, Jaroslav offers some grounded advice: “Don’t stress about knowing exactly what you want to do after graduation. Choose a program that genuinely interests you, and let your direction emerge along the way. Extracurriculars can play a huge role — they’re not just resume-builders, but great ways to meet people, test ideas, and discover your passion.”

We’re excited to see what comes next for Jaroslav as he continues his journey in European politics — combining research, real-world experience, and a commitment to understanding the continent he calls home!

Alumni dreams #280

Roosa chose International Studies after graduating from the International Baccalaureate programme at Ressu IB World School in Helsinki in 2022. By then, she knew that she wanted to study abroad, and the Netherlands, particularly Leiden University, was recommended to her by her high school counsellors because of her interest in European affairs. Choosing Europe as her study region therefore felt like a natural decision. She also chose French as her language, knowing how important it is within the EU institutions.

For her bachelor’s thesis, Roosa explored the role of the European Union in global climate governance in a context of decreasing multilateralism. Climate politics had already been one of her key interests during the IB programme, and this interest grew even stronger throughout her BA studies. Using a postcolonial framework and critical discourse analysis, she examined how global climate governance led by the Global North, and particularly the EU’s top-down approach, can reproduce unequal power structures that reflect those of colonial times. Her thesis argued that the largest contributors to climate change must reflect more deeply on its historical context and take greater responsibility in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

During her time at BA IS, Roosa completed an Erasmus+ exchange semester at the University of Oslo in Norway. There, she further developed her language skills and, with the help of her Swedish language background, learned Norwegian in six months. She was also actively involved in representing the BA IS programme. As a student representative, she participated in open days, experience days, school visits, panel discussions, campus tours, and city tours for prospective students and their parents. In addition, she was a member of the BA IS study association.

One of the most valuable things Roosa took away from International Studies was the strong foundation it gave her in international and European politics. She appreciated that the programme allowed her to keep her studies broad during her bachelor’s degree, rather than narrowing her options too early. Over time, however, it became clear that EU studies was the area she wanted to focus on more specifically. The programme therefore helped her move from broad academic exploration toward a more specialised path. She also highlights the PRINS course as a valuable experience, both academically and professionally, and encourages current students to make the most of it.

After graduating in 2025, Roosa moved back to Finland to pursue a Master’s degree in European and Nordic Studies at the University of Helsinki, with a major in EU studies. The opportunities opened by BAIS made her choice difficult, as she was also considering options such as KU Leuven and Leiden University. However, she may still go on exchange to KU Leuven in autumn 2026 during her Master’s, proving that things often have a way of working out.

Roosa is currently building further experience in EU affairs. With her background in the field, she secured an internship at the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU in Brussels. Alongside this, she is working on her Master’s thesis, which focuses on how the EU balances geopolitical and development cooperation objectives within the Global Gateway strategy, specifically in projects in Africa. She also volunteers at the student-led EPIS Thinktank, participated in the European Student Assembly at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and will soon attend the European Investment Bank Summer School.

To current and prospective BA IS students, Roosa recommends making full use of the opportunities the programme offers, especially experiences such as PRINS. She also encourages students to start building their professional network early, including through LinkedIn, and to strengthen their profile through extracurricular activities such as think tanks, summer schools, and volunteering opportunities.

We are cheering you on as you continue your journey in European affairs, Roosa!