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From Lithuania to Finland: minority studies in Helsinki

Poor interaction between ethnic groups creates tension. Ruta Kazlauskaite, who graduated with a Master’s Degree in political science from Vilnius University, says that Finland and Lithuania resemble one another to the extent to which cultural minorities have been integrated into the mainstream.

"Perhaps Lithuania has deeper problems in this respect. After all, the country was isolated from Europe for such a long time. On the other hand, Vilnius once was a multicultural city where minorities thrived side by side," she says.

Kazlauskaite is a second-year student in the Master’s Degree Programme in Ethnic Relations, Cultural Diversity and Integration (ERI) at the University of Helsinki. The programme is a joint effort between the Swedish School of Social Sciences and the departments of Political Science, Social Psychology and Sociology. The Centre for Research on Ethnic Relations and Nationalism is also an important umbrella organisation for the programme.

When seeking continuing education, Kazlauskaite was guided by the costs and culture: she sought a reasonably priced quality programme in a place where she would feel at home. Her two final alternatives were Finland and Sweden, and she found that the ERI programme would better serve her goals. She is interested in tensions between majorities and minorities: how they are discussed in general, and what stance is taken by the state.

She seems to have made the right choice as she has already set her sights on a dissertation and life in Finland.

"ERI was a true kick-off for my academic career," she says.

Text: Kai Maksimainen
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
Language revision: AAC