My name is Giulia Bongioni, and I’m from Bergamo, Italy. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Languages, Literature and Cultures, with a specialization in Russian and English. Throughout my bachelor’s studies, I knew I wanted to engage more deeply with contemporary issues: I was eager to explore politics and international relations.
I started studying Russian in high school and later became fascinated by Russian and Eurasian studies after reading Sovietistan and The Border by Erika Fatland. Her travels across Central Asia and the countries bordering Russia opened my eyes to how much there is to learn, especially beyond Russia.
Since I also wanted to pursue my master’s abroad, the MAREEES programme immediately caught my interest. I took a leap of faith by moving to another country for my degree. I won’t lie: it was one of the scariest things I’ve done. But the change in environment and subject matter was exactly what I needed, so I went for it.
I was terrified. Of what, even I don’t know, but I don’t want to sugarcoat it by saying that it was a smooth process. Classes were held in a completely different way compared with the Italian standard. I also had the feeling, common among new students, that there was so much I didn’t know yet.
But after a few weeks, the fear started to fade. I made friends and quickly noticed how supportive everyone is. I had been used to a very hierarchical relationship with professors, which thankfully isn’t the case here in Finland. Everyone called me by my first name, and I was able to engage in open, constructive conversations and receive helpful feedback. At the Aleksanteri Institute, I had the opportunity to share views with professors and more experienced researchers without ever feeling like I didn’t belong.
The open and stimulating discussions with professors! The Aleksanteri Institute, in general, gave me so much. There’s a real sense of community: you get to know everyone who works there, say hi when you bump into each other, attend seminars and events. It made me feel like I truly belong.
Another highlight was the wide variety of courses I could choose from. When I started, I had an idea of what I was most interested in, but above all, I wanted to learn something new. Early on, I developed a passion for Central Asia, and I built my focus around it whenever possible, like when I was choosing perspectives for course essays.
And of course, the annual Aleksanteri Conference stands out. Presenting my thesis plan there during my second year and receiving feedback, advice, and encouragement from so many different people was an experience I’ll always be grateful for. I also really enjoyed moving from panel to panel, listening to discussions on a wide range of topics, and connecting with experts from around the world.
Thank you! So, I’m a huge sports nerd. Even before moving to Finland, I was interested in the politics of sports. Gymnastics are extremely popular, and therefore very political, sports in Russia. Especially after 2022, I felt it was important to examine how Russian sports are used to reinforce state narratives.
I wanted to understand how sport propaganda works in Russia, and that became the core of my thesis. I focused on rhythmic gymnastics and Irina Viner, exploring how they contributed to the Kremlin’s nationalistic propaganda in the post-2022 context both within Russia and abroad.
I chose rhythmic gymnastics because it’s a sport directly funded by the Kremlin. Its main figure, Irina Viner, who is both coach and head of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, has long been involved in politics. The ban on Russian athletes in 2022 also made me curious about how sports were still being used to serve propaganda. I found out that rhythmic gymnastics, already central to Kremlin narratives, continued to function as a showcase for state propaganda, despite the international ban.
The entire thesis process was amazing. Definitely tiring as well, it took basically a year, but writing it was a genuinely fulfilling experience for me. I think choosing a topic I was truly interested in helped a lot. Now that it’s over, I have great memories of writing while rhythmic gymnastics competitions played in the background, which helped me focus. I loved the chance to combine a personal passion with my academic work.
On top of that, working with University Lecturer Katalin Miklóssy as my supervisor helped me greatly. I always received the best feedback and support as my thesis progressed, right to the very end. I’ve heard a lot of people say they don’t have fond memories of writing their thesis, but I’m lucky to say that’s not my case. While it was a bit of a struggle at times, the support and feedback from professors and friends made the whole process smooth and the result something I’m very proud of.
Right now, I’m applying for traineeships and other opportunities, both in Europe and Central Asia. I plan to focus on political propaganda in authoritarian settings. I had the chance to take part in an internship at the Aleksanteri Institute, where we analysed the 2024 election campaign in Russia. That, combined with my thesis, really sparked my interest in propaganda and media monitoring.
At the same time, I’m open to opportunities in different fields that could help broaden my perspective. Finishing your studies can feel overwhelming, since it's such a big turning point, but I think staying positive and open to new opportunities is key. I’m trying to keep that mindset, and I’m optimistic about what comes next.
To future MAREEES students I just want to say: don’t hold yourself back. Feel free to raise your hand in class and express your opinion, even if you end up disagreeing with someone. Engage in constructive discussions, participate in different events, and build your own community.
And if something is bothering you or might impact your wellbeing during your studies, speak up. I’ve appreciated how seriously and openly professors listened to me when I felt concerned or anxious about something. I promise that you’ll be listened to and supported. Finally, be yourself throughout and enjoy your studies to the fullest!