ExpREES student story: Karoliina Keskitalo fostered a new interest in Central Asia and now dreams of an international career

Karoliina had heard praise for the programme and was curious about the variety of courses offered. A field trip to Uzbekistan inspired a new academic passion and laid the foundation for her master’s thesis.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up applying to ExpREES.

I am Karoliina Keskitalo, and I study Russian language and culture at the University of Eastern Finland in Joensuu.

I decided to apply to ExpREES because I wanted to broaden my understanding and expertise, particularly regarding Eastern Europe and Ukraine, but also other countries in the region. I knew that the scope of courses included in the programme is extensive, offering courses that are not available at my home university. I had also heard positive feedback from previous students about the quality of the programme.

Additionally, I was excited about the opportunity to receive guidance and feedback on my master’s thesis from researchers at different universities and organizations. 

Tell us more about what ExpREES has given you as an experience.

ExpREES has given me a lot. In the ExpREES programme, I've grown more confident in pursuing an international career and interests, even though the past few years have been challenging on the level of global politics.

Most importantly, the expertise programme has introduced me to new friends from all over Finland who share an interest in the region. I have learned both through the courses and from the experiences of my fellow students.

ExpREES has also sparked a great interest in Central Asian countries, particularly Uzbekistan. Our field trip to Uzbekistan in the spring of 2024 was such an amazing and insightful experience that I now dream of traveling there again. The entire trip was fantastic, and it’s hard to highlight just one specific experience, but I have a fond memory of the warm welcome we received from local organizations.

What is your master’s thesis about? Do you participate in the ExpREES seminars?

My thesis focuses on Russian-language media operating in Uzbekistan. As you can tell, the field trip made such a lasting impression on me and steered my research interests toward Central Asia.

I started working on my thesis and attending seminars in the fall of 2024, and it has been great to hear fellow students present their research topics. The seminar, like the entire ExpREES programme, brings together a people from many different disciplines, which enriches my own research by incorporating perspectives from different fields of study.

What are your plans for life after graduation?

I have slowly started to dream of an international career or at least working abroad. I am interested in various social and cultural issues, so I would like to work in a field related to those topics. The higher education sector has also started to interest me, although I don’t see myself becoming a researcher — at least not yet. We’ll see after I finish my thesis!

What would you say to those considering applying to ExpREES?

I can only warmly recommend applying. ExpREES is a unique opportunity to take courses offered by different universities, meet students, researchers, and professors from various disciplines, and gain interdisciplinary expertise that is difficult to acquire elsewhere.

ExpREES in a nutshell

ExpREES is a master's-level study program coordinated by the Aleksanteri Institute at the University of Helsinki. The ExpREES specialist studies are designed to strengthen multidisciplinary expertise and knowledge related to Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe.

As a ExpREES student, you will receive support for your master's thesis process through in-person or online ExpREES thesis seminars and have a choice of courses from the ExpREES network of universities. The unique nationwide university network enables a diverse selection of courses, with more than 60 courses from various disciplines available each year. Additionally, you have the opportunity to take part in a field trip abroad.