Aiste Litvinaite
Bachelor’s in International Relations and European Politics, graduated in 2025.
Coming from Lithuania, currently working at Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania
interviewed by Michaela Nespěchalová, December 2025
1. When you think back to your time at the Faculty of Social Studies, what moments or experiences immediately come to mind?
Thinking back, I clearly remember cramping for examinations in the library together with friends. We made such great memories in the study rooms as well as in the halls of the faculty. There is nothing better than sharing your common stress, fear or knowledge (as well as notes or snacks) with your course mates. I also remember the sounds of trams that came through almost every window, it either helped to study or made it harder to concentrate but always sounded pleasant and intriguing. To add on, I remember the main hall of the faculty becoming super crowded right before the examinations season and gathering with my friends to hunt for a place to finish projects.
2. What is one skill, perspective, or habit you developed during your studies that you still rely on in your career?
Being surrounded by many people from differing life paths, I found being attentive and taking time to listen to others stuck to me the most and became a useful skill for my job. I clearly remember being interested in other people’s perspectives since we all came from such diverse backgrounds, had different experiences in the past that shaped our opinions and listening attentively made me learn not only about different cultures or habits but in general about people’s personalities. Working in international relations, you must be able to connect with others, become colleagues not only on a working basis but sometimes as friends and that requires you to be a great listener. Moreover, by listening, you allow yourself to hear useful information which not only makes you attentive but also curious and professional – hearing others, often makes me question my opinion and create questions that can fuel discussions, helping me to make the best decisions for my national state.
3. Was there a course, project, or lecturer that truly changed the way you think or work?
I remember being fascinated by two compulsory courses – Energy Politics and Institutions of the EU. The former one made me rethink European politics – the branch of my studies that I was least confident in – because it explained the work the EU in a very realistic matter which is not at all boring or hard. I understood that as soon as you get a grasp of the inside workings and processes of the core agencies of the EU, you can understand the ,,machine” of the EU on a easier note. Nevertheless, it took me a lot of time to read and re-read to understand the reasons behind certain operations of the EU, thankfully, now I am able to use these skills in my every day. Energy Politics introduced me to a topic that I never thought much about – energy. Living in Lithuania, I always heard talks about my state becoming independent from Russian gas or developing new methods to make energy on our own. Sadly, it never occurred to me how important these discussions were. This course completely changed my mind: the topics were fresh and engaging, the professors answered the questions greatly and it really made me appreciate the new knowledge that I gained.
4. Looking back, how did your studies at FSS prepare you for real-world challenges after graduation?
Firstly, I believe that FSS prepared me academically. Studying my master’s degree, I begin to understand how much I appreciate that Masaryk not only gave me theoretical knowledge but also practical exercises, projects and activities that closely related to real life. That is an experience that helps me to look at any academic challenges from a different perspective, I see myself being creative with approaches, outspoken in discussions and applying real life scenarios to the problems. Secondly, my studies contributed to my professional career. Working as a cyber security policy analyst, I come across many projects, initiatives and ideas that might seem distant to anybody who only sees them through very theoretical lens. I think one thing that Masaryk taught me is to be flexible and creative, which is such a great skill when your work dynamics (mostly,technologies) change every day and you are forced to bring about new suggestions and possible ways of international cooperation.
5. What did living and studying in Brno add to your overall university experience?
I absolutely enjoyed Brno! To be honest, Brno reminded me of one of the cities here, in Lithuania – Kaunas: it’s cozy, full of small cafes and friendly people, has great atmosphere and similar architecture. These things made me feel welcomed and warm in a foreign country. It also helped me to deal with the feeling of homesickness. Moreover, Brno is perfect in terms of its location. It is right at the center of Europe which made it easier for me to have my university internships both in Lithuania and in Prague. On top of this, the people that came to study at Masaryk University added even more joy! I was very happy to make friends from different world states and backgrounds, that fulfilled my knowledge of the world and introduced me to new perspectives.
6. If you could speak to your younger self on the first day at FSS — or to today’s students — what would you say?
To begin with, I would tell students not to be afraid to be themselves. University is a place to learn and make mistakes; thus, you should not be scared to ask questions, hold discussions and be curious about every topic. However, realizing that Masaryk University has so many students from different parts of the world, one should consider being respectful and open-minded. Sometimes, being among diverse opinions and cultures can feel like boiling in a pot, but take it courageously, with kindness in your heart and mindset to grow – these principles help me in my today’s career as well. I would also like to remind myself to be attentive and listen – catching important details not only makes you a greater friend to others but also trains your diplomacy skills that will be very useful in the future.