One of Us - Master's Student Agnese Lukevica
When you learn about the life story of Agnese Lukevica, a student in the master’s program in Applied Text Translation at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, you get the feeling that she has a special talent for seeing countless opportunities in life and seizing them all without fear of taking risks. One such opportunity is studying at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences after a 16-year break. Her studies have fully justified Agnese's courage. Continuing to seize opportunities, Agnese has recently returned from an internship at the EU Council's translation service in Brussels. Read more about her studies at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, her internship in Brussels, and Agnese's diverse career path in the interview.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I grew up in a family where the Latvian language has always been very important, but I decided to study in a field unrelated to linguistics. Immediately after high school, I went to the US, finished high school there again, and later studied at the University of Tampere in Finland as part of an exchange program with the Latvian Academy of Culture. Throughout this time, I tried to learn French because I simply loved it. I used to travel a lot and enjoyed planning my own trips. I sang in choirs and played keyboard instruments – music is still the language I feel most comfortable in. Since starting a family and having a daughter, I have partially moved to the countryside, with a second home in the city. I worked in Riga in the field of European and international affairs, but I spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a car, on trains and buses – I was on the road almost all the time. I didn't notice how this lifestyle had become normal. Perhaps it's because this feeling of being on the road is very important to me, it's also connected with broadening my worldview, with fundamental things. Another such feeling is the vivid moments when I experience something special. Usually, only one question separates people from such moments – is it possible? Thanks to this, I have had many wonderful adventures and memories, such as the opportunity to play the organ played by the world's best organists.
How did you choose to study at VUAS?
It was a coincidence, although this time there was also the question – is it possible? I have been interested in translation for a long time; it has always been present in my everyday life. For a while, I had resigned myself to the fact that I would no longer study, but I am very happy that I had the opportunity to gain knowledge in an academic environment at Ventspils University College and to study remotely. The good reviews about Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and its lecturers were another factor in my decision to return to university after a 16-year break. Of course, my family's support was also very important.
How did you end up doing an internship in Brussels, at the EU Council's translation service?
The idea of doing an internship came to me during my first year, when I attended conferences on translation and terminology. I knew that I would have to do an internship in my third semester. I started looking into where I could do it. First, I was included in the reserve list of the European Parliament's Terminology Coordination Unit in Luxembourg, but that did not necessarily mean that an internship would be secured. Then I received a message from the Council of the European Union that I could go to Brussels for an internship in the fall. It wasn't clear until the last minute whether I would actually go, because it was practically impossible to find a place to live for four months. However, the issue of accommodation was eventually resolved.
How did you spend your time there? What was your biggest gain?
My time in Belgium was both very interesting and intense – on weekdays I participated in the internship program and did real translation work, but on weekends I tried to explore the area.
I lived outside Brussels in the countryside, surrounded by forests, horse stables, and events organized by my neighbours. I also visited other cities – lovely Bruges, beautiful Ghent, the diamond city of Antwerp, and the student paradise of Leuven. Sometimes I spent time in Brussels' old town, with its impressive architecture and gourmet delights – French fries, Liège or Brussels waffles, kramik (bread rolls with sugar and raisins), and, of course, chocolate.
I was an unconventional intern with many years of experience, including working with the Council. However, the advantage of my chosen program is that it is a general program that prepares interns for work in various directorates-general – lots of presentations, general training, seminars, but trainees could tailor the program to their professional needs. A positive aspect is that trainees could see things that employees may never visit or see simply because some institutions are not related to their job duties. The Trainees' Office also organizes study trips. In Strasbourg, we visited the European Parliament, where we gained insight into the work of the European Ombudsman Network, as well as the Council of Europe (human rights organization) and the European Court of Human Rights. We also went to Luxembourg and visited the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, and I had the opportunity to visit the Terminology Coordination Unit of the European Parliament (the same unit with which we implemented the terminology project "Terminology without borders" during our scientific practice in the first year). It was nice to see how the city has changed and developed over the years.
The greatest benefit is personal – a new, refreshing perception of the world, as well as the people I met. The great atmosphere and working environment at the Council must also be mentioned. Another result and continuation of the internship is the work of a terminologist, which I learned about at the Council. This year, while writing my master's thesis, I hope to have a successful collaboration with the European Parliament's Terminology Coordination Unit.
Would you recommend young people to study at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, and why?
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is a fantastic place to study, not only for those interested in translation. This is my second master's degree, and I can only say the best about Ventspils University of Applied Sciences - I am delighted that students are prepared professionally and excellently, they just need to be able to absorb the knowledge that our lecturers provide. Proof of this is the evaluation I received at the end of my internship in Brussels - I was assessed as a well-prepared and fully independent translator. This would certainly not have been possible without an excellent academic foundation, because, as I mentioned, I had previously studied and worked in other fields.
The added value of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is my wonderful classmates - mutual support, encouragement, communication - all of which are essential for a high-quality study process.
Among the interns in Brussels, there were very ambitious young people with a good education, excellently prepared for working life, with excellent language skills - I believe that they will work in EU institutions or elsewhere and achieve their goals. That is why I would like to encourage young people to learn languages and seek opportunities for further education.
I would also like to give special encouragement to those who are at a crossroads in their careers - an internship could be a good start for new ideas.
What would you wish for yourself and others?
Always strive for knowledge and continue to broaden your worldview. Be open but preserve your identity. Move slowly but purposefully. Enjoy opportunities and be grateful for the humanity you encounter. Nothing is impossible, you just must do it.
I remember a situation in Brussels when, during lunch with colleagues from the Latvian language department, we talked about the path to translation, education, life, and work in Brussels. It turned out that we had all been and still are connected to Ventspils University at different times. And that's so great!
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