It is always a privilege to speak with our alumni, but it's especially special to welcome them back to our community when they return from abroad to spend their holidays with us.

 

This interview is made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶, who graciously agreed to share her story and experiences with our community.

 

As a lovely reminder of where every journey matures, 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗲’s MA thesis was titled “Stylistic Representation of ‘Self’ and ‘Other’ in Light of Postcolonial Theory: Case Studies from Poetry and Fiction.”

We hope 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗲’s story inspires students considering their own academic and professional journeys in English Studies.

 

Welcome—and enjoy the interview!

 

Did your career develop in the direction you expected when you were studying, or did it take you somewhere unexpected?

 

My career took me somewhere I didn’t quite expect. When I returned to my home country after studying at Vilnius University, I never imagined that I would continue working in connection with Lithuania. Now there is a clear connection between where my studies took place and where I am today. After completing my MA in English Studies at Vilnius University, I now work at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Türkiye. While I didn’t specifically plan to work in a diplomatic mission during my studies, the basic knowledge about Lithuania, skills, perhaps basic knowledge of the language [I took A1 LT courses during our studies], and international perspective I gained at Vilnius University have impacted my career. In short, my education in Lithuania gave me a strong foundation that continues to shape my professional journey.

 

What did your MA studies give you that you only came to appreciate later?

 

There is hardly a day that goes by when I don’t appreciate having studied in this program. The social and theoretical courses I took taught me to look at the world from diverse perspectives and gave me a way of seeing that often allows me to notice meanings, patterns, and truths that might otherwise go unnoticed. Beyond their impact on my career, I am deeply grateful for these theoretical and social science courses, as they have shaped the way I understand people, society, and, ultimately, life itself.

 

What advice would you give to our current MA students who are thinking about their future careers?

 

My advice would be to explore as many opportunities as possible before you find yourself on the job market. Ask yourself: What do people I don't even know actually do? What kinds of jobs are out there that I have never even heard of?

At the same time, stay in the moment and make the most of your programme while you are studying; take as much as you can from the programme. The seminars are truly one-of-a-kind opportunities to exchange eye-opening ideas and challenge yourself. Read as much as you can; "I will read this later when I have time after studies" does not really work. Since graduation, I have never come across another setting that creates the same kind of space for such meaningful intellectual exchange.

So find the balance: stay present and enjoy your studies, while also keeping one eye on the job market and the different career paths available. We often don’t know what we would like to do until we discover what is actually out there.

 

Thank you, 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗲, for sharing your story and taking the time to speak with us!