Stanford student Deven Krishna Reddy on research, Riga, and his internship at the RSU China Studies Centre
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) welcomed Deven Krishna Reddy to its campus this summer as part of the Stanford Global Studies Internship Programme. Riga has become one of the more sought-after destinations for Stanford students in this programme, and in recent years RSU has developed a close partnership with Stanford University in the field of China studies. To hear more about Deven’s experience in Riga, we asked him a few questions.
What attracted you to the internship opportunity at the RSU China Studies Centre?
I majored in international relations in college with a primary focus on China. When I came across the internship, I saw it as an opportunity to perform valuable and interesting research on China while being in a unique part of the world that I have never seen before.
What is your research focus and how will your time at RSU help you delve deeper into your area of interest?
During my time at the China Studies Centre, I have been researching the need for NATO to expand its current focus beyond conventional military defense to include economic disruptions, using the 2021 incident between Lithuania and China as a primary case study. Being at RSU and in Europe has undoubtedly helped with this research, as I have been given opportunities to conduct interviews with experts in their field and analyse key sources. I have had the fortune of working under the guidance of Dr. Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, who has helped guide me through my research and assisted in key directional decisions.
Are there any specific things you enjoy about interning in Riga?
Riga is a small, close-knit city with unique traditions and festivals that I was lucky to experience during my internship. Some of my favourite memories are of connecting with friends and fellow interns through activities ranging from Midsummer celebrations to the Baltica folklore festival.
What are some of the opportunities you have taken advantage of while here that you particularly enjoyed?
I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the World Lavian Economics and Innovations Forum at the National Library of Latvia, as well as conduct interviews, such as with Joshua Chia at NATO StratCom, human rights activist Nils Muižnieks, and Tomass Pildegovičs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia. Through these extensive conversations, I gained valuable exposure to work in international affairs and foreign policy.
Why would you recommend others to take part in internship opportunities at the RSU China Studies Centre?
I’d recommend this internship to anyone interested in China and foreign policy who also wants the experience of living and working in a unique, often overlooked part of the world. It’s also a chance to learn directly from leading experts in the field, who are not only knowledgeable but also excellent mentors.
If you are also interested in an internship opportunity in the RSU China Studies Centre, reach out to us by email and make sure to follow us on social media!
