My internship at the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science (TSPMI) has allowed me to combine my graduate training with my prior military experience in a substantive research role. Under the guidance of Professors Vytautas Kuok\u0161tis and Ringaile Kuokstyte, I examine the patterns and spatial dynamics of NATO and EU member states\u2019 assistance to Ukraine, seeking to understand how countries\u2019 support decisions are shaped by regional relationships, shared security concerns, and one another\u2019s behavior. I have applied quantitative methods learned at Stanford to developing hypotheses, building datasets, conducting spatial analyses, and interpreting the findings. Drawing on my experience as a military officer, I have also proposed ideas that connect the data with the operational and strategic significance of different forms of military assistance. Most meaningful to me has been the trust of my supervisors, who provide thoughtful guidance while treating my ideas and judgment as those of a developing researcher. Conversations with experts on NATO, hybrid warfare, and Lithuanian defense have further connected my research to the security realities of the Baltic region. This experience has helped me move beyond learning research methods in theory and develop greater depth, confidence, and independence as a researcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My internship at the Vilnius University Institute of International Relations and Political Science (TSPMI) has allowed me to combine my graduate training with my prior military experience in a substantive research role. Under the guidance of Professors Vytautas Kuok\u0161tis and Ringaile Kuokstyte, I examine the patterns and spatial dynamics of NATO and EU member states\u2019 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15889,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-15888","testimonials","type-testimonials","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n