Alumni dreams #270

Ksenija Ļevčuka chose the program for its holistic and interdisciplinary approach to international relations. The broad foundation in history, politics, economics, and culture allowed her to develop a flexible and nuanced understanding of global affairs. Her decision to specialize in Russia and Eurasia was deeply personal—born in Russia but raised in Latvia, she sought to better understand the historical and political complexities of her heritage. Through BA IS, she was able to critically examine the region and gain insights into the historical context that shaped her own identity.

For her thesis, titled "Russia’s Economic Diversification: Investigating the Relationship Between Urals Crude Oil Prices and Russia’s Economic Performance Indicators", Ksenija explored Russia’s long-standing dependence on energy exports. Her research examined the relationship between oil prices and Russia’s economic performance between 2000 and 2020, arguing that despite economic and environmental incentives for diversification, Russia continues to prioritize its hydrocarbon-based development model for both economic and political reasons.

During her time at BA IS, Ksenija developed key analytical skills, particularly in academic reading and writing. The ability to efficiently extract key insights from complex texts proved invaluable in professional settings, where she had to synthesize large volumes of information into concise policy briefs.

The PRINS project was another crucial experience, as it closely mirrored real-world professional challenges and provided her with a strong foundation for future internships and research work. Additionally, working on group projects throughout her studies honed her teamwork and organizational skills, which have been essential in her professional roles.

After completing BA IS, Ksenija pursued a Master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Amsterdam, specializing in political economy and finance. Alongside her studies, she interned at the World Resources Institute in The Hague, where she collaborated with HSBC on a project exploring private sector investments in Nature-Based Solutions. She later moved to Brussels for a traineeship at the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, focusing on macroeconomic policy, investments, and prudential regulation.

Looking ahead, she is particularly interested in how financial institutions can leverage sustainable investments to mitigate biodiversity loss.

Ksenija credits BA IS for providing her with a strong foundation in politics, economics, and history, which allowed her to specialize further during her master’s studies. She encourages students to focus on developing strong academic reading and writing skills, as these are invaluable for research, policy work, and professional communication.

Additionally, she highlights the importance of group projects and research-based assignments, which closely reflect real-world professional environments.

We look forward to seeing how Ksenija continues to apply her expertise in the fields of political economy and sustainable finance!