Laura Spanier: During my internship in Latvia and at the UL Foundation I acquired priceless experience

The internship program “Spend the summer in Latvia” every year enables several dozen young people of Latvian origin living in the diaspora to visit their ancestral homeland. The program gives Latvian descendants the opportunity to get to know the country of their predecessors, Latvian education and the culture of Balts. This unique and exploratory opportunity – to complete an internship in Latvian companies and organizations – is provided by the testamentary will of our compatriot Elmārs Freibergs, the ALA Culture Affairs Office and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia.

“For the third successive year, the University of Latvia Foundation and the American Latvian Association have been cooperating in the internship program. On behalf of the UL Foundation, I would like to extend heartfelt acknowledgement to Līga Ejups for her contribution to our cooperation. Every intern who has been with us at the UL Foundation, has met his or her job responsibilities diligently and enthusiastically. I am delighted that the young Latvians of America give their contribution to Latvia in such a tangible way,” Executive Director of the UL Foundation Laila Kundziņa expresses her satisfaction.

In the summer of 2019, Laura Spanier joined the team of the University of Latvia Foundation. In Latvia, she calls Barkava her home. She is currently studying business and human resources at Rowan University of South New Jersey. Laura gladly shared her brightest impressions of the time spent in Riga, learning the best practices of philanthropy in the UL Foundation and gaining a starting point in improving her future career and strengthening Latvianness.

“This time was a unique opportunity for me to enjoy summer while working. It must be said that this has been the best experience for me not only at work, but also in Latvia. It is a pity that I must leave, - my colleagues were the most understanding people with their jokes and advice,” says Laura.

What did you acquire and learn during this month of internship in Latvia?

Every day I had the opportunity to do something new, unknown, and I learned a lot from it. During the internship month, all the planned works were directed toward specific goals – to gain experience and support the activities of the University of Latvia Foundation. I have gained a good experience in working with spreadsheets, project creation, as well as translation.

This internship has given me very useful skills for a lifetime. Not only now do I have a hands-on experience in all kinds of office work, but also have gained in the aspect of personal growth. During my internship, I have learned to think and act outside my comfort zone, and I have gained valuable overall experience in getting to know the work culture and the international environment. The internship gave me the opportunity to assess my abilities and interests. Thanks to the advice of colleagues, I learned how to spend my free time usefully.

What will be the brightest memories of this journey?

The most dazzling time spent in Latvia certainly includes participation in the Games of University of Latvia employees as a member of the UL Foundation team. The meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Krišjānis Kariņš was very important to me. I will be happy to remember meeting my friends, celebration of Midsummer, which I spent with my grandmother in the countryside. Of course, the shared lunches with colleagues and the beautiful congratulations on the birthday when I received a large, sweet pretzel and everyone sung Daudz baltu dieniņu (“Many White Days”, a Latvian birthday song). There was also a curious mishap – I got lost in the Old Town, got on the wrong tram and thus had an unexpected excursion.

In your opinion, what are the biggest benefits of internship in Latvia? Why would you recommend this opportunity to other young people?

It is a great experience and an opportunity to experience cultural differences. In my opinion, working and communicating in another language is not easy, but after spending 5 weeks in the office among colleagues who speak only Latvian, I really improved my Latvian language proficiency, which I am most happy about. I am also very pleased that after attending the Games, I now have more acquaintances and contacts in Latvia. I made friends who I hope to have for life. Much support was given by colleagues' advice on what to taste, what to visit, what to see, and the like. Thanks to this internship, I got to know Riga and its beautiful architecture.

Going to my internship, I was unfamiliar with Riga public transport system, moreover, I had not traveled in Latvia independently before. I recommend this opportunity to everyone – it is a way to become more self-reliant, independent and to get to know Latvia in person. In my opinion, beyond expanding the work experience, this opportunity also gives a chance to enjoy things that might not otherwise be possible – to meet Latvian friends and make new acquaintances.

How does your family maintain Latvianness while living in the United States? What do you like the most yourself?

My family celebrates almost all Latvian seasonal festivities and traditional holidays – we celebrate name days with a cake and a family dinner, Easter – painting and looking for eggs, as well as attending Latvian church service. We celebrate Midsummer at home by making a bonfire and grilling, or at the New Jersey Latvian Center “Priedaine”, where the Midsummer is celebrated with a big bonfire. My brother Tālivaldis attends Latvian primary school in New Jersey, where he dances and sings. He has also joined the 90^th Scout Unit of Riga, one of its heads is my father Joe. My mother Dace is an accountant for Latvian school. I like to watch children's dances either at the end of the school year or in Midsummer, because it reminds me of my childhood in Latvia.

What is your wish for Latvia and your compatriots?

Latvia is and will always remain my homeland, in my heart I will always be and remain a Latvian. I want Latvia to remain a land I can always return to. I wish my Latvia to keep its independence, but all Latvians – both in their homeland and abroad – to safeguard and strengthen their Latvianness and be welcoming to those who want to get to know Latvia more closely.

I wish Latvia to continue to carry its name forward in the world and remain just as beautiful. I hope that those who have left will return home or support their homeland from afar, because only together can we make Latvia a place where people are happy to live.

About the University of Latvia Foundation

Since 2004, the UL Foundation provides an opportunity to patrons and cooperation partners to support both the University of Latvia and other leading higher education institutions of our country, thereby investing in the future of Latvia. The priorities of the UL Foundation are to support the most outstanding, dedicated students and researchers, to advance creation of a modern study environment, as well as to promote construction and refurbishment of university’s buildings.