I decided to apply for the Economic Program through the CSD internship due to my longstanding interest in Russian politics and foreign affairs. As such, the opportunity to work on various tasks related to Russian foreign influence throughout the continent was a fantastic experience that served to greatly enhance my working knowledge of Central and Eastern Europe. Moreover, thanks to the flexibility offered by the researchers at CSD, I was also able to expand my horizons and undertake tasks in other areas of interest including anticorruption and state capture.

My time at CSD has enabled me to sharpen my research skills and gain competence in evaluating and interpreting data. From conducting data gathering exercises to compiling literature reviews, I have gained valuable experience in carrying out high quality research and analysis. Moreover, I had ample opportunity to gain a first-hand appreciation of working in a think tank on policy issues of international significance.

Furthermore, living and working in Sofia provided me with an unparalleled opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of southeast European culture. Despite the limitations caused by the pandemic, I enjoyed spending most weekends visiting various places across Bulgaria.

Overall, I am confident that my experience at CSD will prove indispensable to my future research and career. As a result, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at CSD for their support and contribution to what was a uniquely fulfilling internship experience.