I had the opportunity to follow a five-month internship at the Sociological Program of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) as part of my Bachelor’s degree in European Studies in the Netherlands. I was directly supervised by the head of the program, Alexander Gerganov, as well as the experts Viktoria Bogdanska and Alexander Politov. I am very grateful for the diverse perspectives and the valuable knowledge I gained under their guidance. During the internship, I conducted desk research on topics such as civic engagement in democratic processes and how different social backgrounds influence participation. Moreover, I had the chance to take part in international events and workshops and analyze messages to uncover underlying values and feelings.

CSD is a very welcoming and multicultural organization that offers interns a variety of professional experiences. Interns are encouraged to expand their professional network by attending discussions with ambassadors, ministers and leading experts in the field. Overall, I believe an internship at the organization provides an excellent foundation for anyone seeking to build a career as a European professional.