My internship at CSD offered me a unique opportunity to research organized crime, corruption and hybrid threats within the Security Program, and under the supervision of Dr. Atanas Rusev. Over four months at CSD, I contributed to both applied policy work and longer-term research in a stimulating environment.

During my stay, I worked on a wide range of projects, including the drafting of policy briefs on the use of organized crime by the Kremlin in the Russo-Ukrainian war and on the trafficking of inflatable boats for people smuggling networks. I also co-drafted a research article on the confiscation and social reuse of criminal assets in Bulgaria, while contributing to data analysis on fuel smuggling and investigating the ties between football ultras and organized crime in France.

This experience allowed me to strengthen my analytical and writing skills while adapting to the demands of real-world policy research. I learned to collect and process open-source data quickly, to draft concise yet rigorous recommendations, and to work under tight deadlines. The international setting of CSD also helped me develop intercultural communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of Southeast Europe’s political and security challenges.

Overall, this internship confirmed my interest in the study of organized crime and state-criminal collusion as a career path. It provided me with valuable professional tools and perspectives, and I would recommend the experience to anyone seeking to combine academic research with policy-oriented work in an international environment.