China studies and Baltic adventures: student from Stanford University undergoes enriching summer internship at RSU

This summer, Raina Nelson, a student from Stanford University in the United States, interned at the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) China Studies Centre. Reflecting on her experience, Raina shared, ‘Working with Dr. Bērziņa-Čerenkova provided me with unparalleled opportunities to work on issues of China-EU relations and engage with the Latvian think-tank and foreign policy communities.’

During her internship, Raina authored two significant papers under Dr. Una Bērziņa-Čerenkova’s guidance. These papers, set to be published by the Latvian Institute on International Affairs and the law journal Socrates, explore China’s national security policy and its transnational repression campaigns in Europe. Raina's research involved analysing both English and Mandarin language news publications and government documents, focusing on how China exports its internal regime security strategies to European nations, posing a potential threat to the liberal rules-based international order that Europe embraces.

In addition to her publications, Raina collaborated with Dr. Bērziņa-Čerenkova on the Latvian segment of the 2024-25 European Think Tank Network report on EU-China relations. She also partnered with the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence on a forthcoming report examining Russian and Chinese climate narratives.

Raina expressed her appreciation for the environment at RSU, noting,

‘The China Studies Centre and Rīga Stradiņš University as a whole provided so much support for me in my research.’

Her time in Latvia was not solely spent on academic pursuits; she embraced the opportunity to explore the Baltics extensively. ‘I’ve been incredibly grateful for the chance to live in Riga and explore the Baltics. Through my trips to Liepaja, Tallinn, Tartu, and Vilnius, I’ve been able to immerse myself in Baltic culture, food, and history, which has enriched my understanding of the region,’ Raina reflected.

Particularly impactful were Raina's visits to the Museum of Occupation of Latvia and the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom in Tallinn. These experiences deepened her understanding of the region's complex history and the palpable influence of geopolitics in the Baltics.

Raina's summer at RSU's China Studies Centre was both academically and personally rewarding. She eagerly anticipates her next visit to Riga, saying, ‘I look forward to continuing my work with Dr. Bērziņa-Čerenkova and the China Studies Centre!’