The Insider October 2024

PARTNERS

GENERAL PARTNER

GOLD PARTNERS

Special thanks to

Morten Hansen, Nataļja Točelovska, Elīna Banziņa, Ralfs Jānis Gaigulis, Nora Ķigure, Markuss Baltais, Polina Peškova, Ralfs Kalniņš, Aigars Ruņģis, Dāvis Teteris, Agata Morkāne, Anete Tīkmane, Liliana Sidorova, Odrija Ozoliņa, Elīza Beta Kalve, Danija Līva Jaundzema, Annija Gaile, all the gossipers and all of the 36 Insider associates.

In case of any queries, contact insider@sseriga.edu or eskudra@sseriga.edu (Editor-in-Chief)

Spooky season is almost over, and what happens during this time? Well, spirits come back to life! In other words, October is the month of REVIVALS, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing you — an issue filled with revivals.

One of the best revivals of this decade for student life could be the one initiated by Liliana Sidorova, former Business Committee Chief. Everyone had almost forgotten about THE boat trip until she brought it back. Good old Boat Trip ’23 — that was a fun one! But this year was also pretty fun; check out the recap of Boat Trip ’24 with all the fun pictures students gathered.

That’s not the only look back we have; we also reflect on Backyards ’24, where we give the mic to Dāvis Teteris, the current Sports Committee Chief.

Of course, our dear organizations and committees have also put in some work. The Alumni Committee has gathered some intel on what our recent alumni are doing now; Black Ducky has compiled some marketing campaign oopsies, and IFUND is still bringing you news from the financial world. Thank you, everyone, for keeping us in the loop; it’s much appreciated!

We can’t forget to introduce two very important women featured in this issue: Elīna Banziņa and Nataļja Točelovska. They may be in different fields, but both play crucial roles for our students. You can’t create balance sheets if you don’t know English, right?

Alright, we’ll stop talking and let you get going. There’s a lot of fun revivals to explore, and not to mention some insights about Paris as well...

k bye

THE EDITORIAL

October

08 ALUMNI: NEXT STEPS

Our dear Class of 2024 have recently graduated and joined the big and fun Alumni community, but the big questions is - where did they go off to next? Well, the Alumni Committee have gathered all the info on some of our little ducklings...

C

18 MEET ELĪNA

BEST ACCENT IN SSE RIGA? Walking into class feels like stepping into an American talk show - so yes, probably. Some of you may feel great about your English by the end of the course, but we bet a few might still feel insecure (us included).

26 TOTO WOLFF

Toto Wolff: the man, the myth, the legend or just the guy your friends mention when they want to sound smart about F1. Once a wannabe racing driver with dreams bigger than his bank account, Toto now runs Mercedes like a pro.

MEET NATALJA

Meet the Queen of T accounts. Get your favorite songs ready, cuz during the breaks, Natalja plays the best jams to cool off your heads from accounting! 45 minutes of balance sheets followed by 15 minutes of some Jason Derulo is just perfect.

30 BOAT TRIP REVIVAL

Our beloved boat trip was a distant memory until Liliana, the former Chief of the Business Committee, brought it back. In this article, we chat with her about this epic revival—what sparked it and how she made it happen!

Before glittering vampires took over teen dramas, Dracula was out there crossing oceans of time (and blood types hihi) to find true love. We’re diving into Dracula's most romantic and a three-time award-winning adaptation.

Associates of the Month

Rebeka Rumbēna

Rebeka has consistently stepped up, lending a hand with every task that comes her way. This once again proves that motivation is the key to success!

Davis is my right hand in IT com. He works tirelessly night and day and I could not have asked for a better member. And in the very unlikely event (never going to happen, but i can only hope) that he would go for president, he would have my vote.

Andris Čipāns

Cipans is the right hand in Sportscom. He works tirelessly night and day and I could not have asked for a better associate. And in the very unlikely event (never going to happen, but we can only hope) that he would go for president, he would have the Chiefs vote.

You became an eventcom role model faster than you could have thought

Jānis Klāvs Mūrnieks

Our data genius. Picture the tech whiz from a Bond movie, but real. Need research on 100 alumni in a matter of hours? Easy. Done.

Elza, the creative force behind the Boat Trip '24 poster, has made a strong impression in such a short time. I’m excited to see the great potential she’ll bring to future projects.

Tymur Mikhail Lukavenkau

Tym has been my right hand who has helped me with everything- the interview process, backyards, pubtour & everything in between. Im super glad to have him by my side!

Lūse

The one and only THE managing director of Soulstreet. Without her, this podcast wouldn’t be what it is today. Her support, dedication, and the bond we share—I will be forever grateful.

Romija Roze

Romija ensured that the best committee maintained its high standards, creating and hosting an exceptional teambuilding at her house. She also helped during Backyards and offered assistance wherever SportsCom needed. What's more, they say that she might be aiming for a very big role in SA this year

Roberts Stangainis

Roberts is a great prospect, that recently stepped into this school, he is ready to take a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Rumors have been going around that he will canditate as Vice President of the SA. Btw, he scored a goal against RGSL and did indeed hit an amazing celebration.

Respect to micro chief and co

Ernests Cīrulis

Maybe the oldest guy in Year 1, Ernests is not just into sports and economics, but also a badass musician and a whole lot else. If you need an apartment to have a party, he is your man. If you need some wise advice, he is your man. If you need to be serenaded by the cello, he is your man!!

Rūdis Freipičs

In just a month on the committee, Rudis is already proving his great potential. Educom is in excellent hands!

Thank you for showing your love and dedication from the very start. You are the new sun of the eventcom (P.S respect to everyone taking part in construction foam thingie)

Tomass Vilks "Was very informed this month"

Artis Ķempelis

I want to express my deepest gratitude for always being there! You’ve truly cracked the code of time and effort—huge thanks to the Chess Overlord of Sportscom for organizing the SSE Riga representation at the university chess tournament! Your dedication is unmatched, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Dāvis Teteris

Daniela Martinsone

Elza Pilāne

Emija

Markuss Zvirbulis

Ieva Grundmane

Tomass Vilks

BY MORTEN HANSEN

MINUS

The Insider asked me the following question, and I quote: Which revival / comeback has surprised you the most? (Personal, economic or societal, as you like). So why not present, shortly, one of each.

PERSONAL

As you may know I came to Latvia in 1993. Less known is the fact that I left at the end of 1994 and swore never to come back. I then came back in 1995… But at the end of 1994 I was sick and tired of it here. I had, idealistically but unrealistically, thought that I could create more changes at University of Latvia where I worked at the time, than it turned out that I could. And of course it was naïve of me to think that massive changes to curricula would be accepted just like that. Many vested interests stood in the way. I mean, who wants to be told that what they have been teaching for years just isn’t useful anymore? Only when I looked myself in the mirror and accepted that change is an uphill struggle did I feel comfortable. And from 1997, when I started at SSE Riga, it was a different environment I came to anyway with no Soviet baggage. Life became easier.

2.

3.

SOCIETAL

2008 through 2010 saw the financial crisis cut more than 20% off GDP and unemployment skyrocket to more than 20%. It is not forgotten today and the impact from e.g. migration at the time is still felt but the crisis is long gone. At the time, there was much talk – and fear –regarding a possible devaluation of the lat. That word, “devaluation”, seems to have left the vocabulary –very much helped by the transition to the euro, of course.

Actually, I cannot point at a comeback here and that is a very

positive thing. The space here is way too short to describe all the changes that have happened and that I have witnessed as this country has become, in all sorts of ways, a fully-fledged market economy. Suffice it to say that I don’t hope for a revival of the days when junk food was greasy fries at JackSpot and the wine in my nearby shop was Bulgarian and left a strange purple colour on my tongue….

ADULTING: ADULTING: NEXT STEP NEXT STEP

In this alumni feature, we caught up with some of our freshly graduated SSE Riga alumni to see what life after SSE Riga is like and hear their thoughts on the transition. Let’s hear from them!

Ralfs Kalniņš

What have you been up to after graduation?

I have been working as a Junior Economist at Swedbank, where I am gaining valuable experience in the field of macroeconomics. BUT more importantly, I find immense satisfaction in being able to enjoy my evenings without the stress of preparing for upcoming exams.

Are there any skills or certifications you wish you had pursued while at university?

Markuss Baltais

What do you miss the most about SSE Riga?

Oh, it’s definitely the Narvesen coffee, smokes, and small talk in front of the school. Also, kinda miss the SA room but obviously the old one on the 5th floor

Have you maintained connections with your university peers, and have they influenced your career in any way?

Yeah, KKC, Labietis, and raves have kept me in good contact with my closest friends from SSE Riga. Obviously, the connection with some Lithuanian and Estonian friends has faded a bit but that's what Summer Symposium is for, perkulators. And yes, they have influenced my career if you count having a hangover on Monday morning.

Reflecting on my academic journey, I realize I should have paid more attention to the practical details in each course. Sure, it's tempting to do the bare minimum to get by, but there's a different level of satisfaction in actually understanding the subject matter. If there's an assigned reading, use the time you're given to dive into it, because let’s be honest, later in life you're not likely to revisit that article. You'll be left wondering what hidden gems of knowledge you skipped over, all because you chose to master the art of strategic skimming.

What do you miss the most about SSE Riga?

There’s a certain magic in the atmosphere—something truly special about that building and the people who fill it. It's not just the walls or the hallways; it's the shared experiences, somehow we all belong there together. And ofcourse the library.

What have you been up to after graduation?

I now work for a tech startup called RivalSense, we basically spy on companies and their employees. I joined as the first employee besides the founders, sooo… fun, fun, fun :) Also, funnily enough, I’m still continuing work on my Bachelor’s Thesis because the grind with Talis never stops.

Ralfs Jānis Gaigulis

What have you been up to after graduation?

Been trying to scale some businesses, which has been exciting but harder than I thought (duh). Been working on starting some side projects, which have been even more exciting but also even more challenging. Overall, enjoying the freedom to think and worry about stuff I choose, not have to.

Polīna Karaseva

What’s one thing no one warned you about “adulting” after graduation?

It’s not that no one warned me, but I never thought I’d enjoy having a routine so much—balancing 8 hours of work, exercise, hobbies, as well as time with friends and family, can be really exciting for some reason. Don't get me wrong, I had a routine at SSE too, but this feels like a whole different level.

What do you miss the most about SSE Riga?

I definitely miss the people and the community the most. SSE was my family and a second home for three years, so it’s weird walking by and realizing I won’t be seeing my classmates, lecturers, or friends there anymore. Sometimes I miss the flexible schedule and the studies, but working and having a set routine is pretty cool too.

Nora Ķigure

How have your values shifted or have they stayed the same after leaving SSE Riga?

I realized that I want my life to be less financially driven than I thought during my study years. My mindset has been shifting from chasing a paycheck to chasing a dope life haha. Somebody said that by doing that, the money will come naturally. I dunno, will see, I guess.

What do you miss the most about SSE Riga?

SA and the community. It’s cool to be in a university, have random house parties, catch up with your friends daily, and be involved in random little sidequests. Now, you have to plan lunches and put in more effort for those interactions and experiences.

What have you been up to after graduating from SSE Riga?

After graduation, I jumped right into working life. To be honest, I kind of wish I’d taken a vacation first, but it is what it is. Now, I’m working in M&A, trying to figure out my future career path, applying for an MSc, and at the same time trying to catch my breath after the intense studies at SSE and recharge both physically and mentally.

What have you been up to after graduation?

Working. I am a junior brand strategist at White Label.

What do you believe sets SSE Riga graduates apart in the job market?

For the most part it's those puffer vests. But it is also the work ethics.

What do you miss the most about SSE Riga?

I miss studying.

We, SSE Rigans, are bold, unafraid, and always up for a challenge. That’s why with Soulstreet, we’ve decided to combine the best of both worlds— brilliant students and accomplished alumni. Soulstreet is a revival of the student's voice, bridging generations and proving once again that the SSE Riga community is one of our greatest strengths, no matter the age.

why with we’ve of worlds— brilliant students alumni. Soulstreet is revival of the student's voice, bridging generations and again that the SSE Riga community one our greatest strengths, matter age.

These aren’t just average Q&As—we don’t hold back! We dive deep into how alumni like Māris Simanovičs, the "King of Recycling," turned trash into cash, Henrik Karmo transformed ideas into a groundbreaking new bank in Latvia, and Anastasija Oleinika, CEO of Pritify, shares her insights on intuition and productivity. Each episode delves into personal development and the life wisdom our alumni have gathered. It’s an exciting mix of energy, shared experiences, and the distinct perspectives of our alumni and students.

These aren’t just average Q&As—we don’t hold into how of cash, Henrik Karmo transformed a bank Latvia, and Anastasija CEO of Pritify, her insights intuition and productivity. Each episode delves into personal development and the life wisdom our alumni have gathered. It’s an exciting mix of energy, shared experiences, alumni and students.

Tune in, because we’ve got three more episodes coming, and you definitely won’t want to miss them!

Tune we’ve three you definitely won’t want miss

I remember last year’s Panel Discussion 101 where some Latvian companies CEO’s debated whether more Latvian companies should go public. Fast forward just nine months in, and here we are—Grenardi launched a new 3-year bond at 10% annually, Delfin Group issued 4year bonds at 10%, and the latest news—on October 8th, Eleving Group went public.

But just how much capital has flowed into the Latvian stock and bond market this year?

Delfin Group successfully raised 15 million euros at a fixed interest rate of 10% in a public bond offering. Grenardi raised 5 million euros. BluOr Bank issued 10-year bonds at 10%, raising 20 million euros. Eleving Group IPO raised 33 million euros (this is the largest IPO in Latvian history). Interestingly, the total demand for these bonds was significantly higher than the supply. So, maybe, after all, the Latvian market is not as dead as everyone thought?

Exciting, right? Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this action? You can be, but be cautious about where you invest your money.

Here, I’ll guide you through my thought

process when I see a new offer in the market, especially Latvian ones and every new one is interesting to look at).

This is just my humble opinion as someone who has studied for one year at SSE Riga, didn’t quite get the balance sheet balanced on the exam, and loved the MAF course. (Disclaimer: This is not financial advice.)

For a quick analysis (since we don’t have a report to write here), I usually look into these three metrics: Debt situation, Profitability, and Long-term financial sustainability (this includes not only financial data but also their business strategy and targets). Let’s go through Eleving Group analysis, to understand whether we need to invest in it.

Debt situation is extremely important. Taking on debt can be good for a company’s growth, but sometimes companies take on so much debt that they need to issue more bonds just to repay old ones. For Eleving Group, they are heavily leveraged, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.18, indicating that the company relies significantly more on debt than equity to finance its operations (uuhh this sounds risky). The interest coverage ratio is 0.76, meaning the company currently earns less than is needed to cover interest expenses with its cash reserves, meaning they are reinvesting active cash flow rather than keeping it in the safe.

Next, I check whether the company is actually making money. A high return on equity (ROE) of 37.37% suggests effective utilization of shareholder capital to generate profits, making it attractive for shareholders, albeit with a high risk due to leverage. The EBITDA Margin of 41.39% reflects strong operational profitability, indicating a healthy core business before non-operating costs.

Pro tip:

To better understand these ratios, check industry benchmarks. Sometimes comparing makes even more sense than looking at the numbers in isolation. Use AI chat for fast calculations and use your brain to outweigh the risk.

I also look into long-term financial sustainability and the company’s goals. Eleving Group is planning to expand further into the African market (at least they say so).

Free cash flow (FCF) is positive at €9.19 million, indicating that Eleving Group can generate enough cash from operations to cover capital expenditures, which is a positive sign for meeting debt obligations, reinvestment, and providing value to shareholders (this one is important for us!).

Liquidity ratios (Current ratio of 1.89 and quick ratio of 1.84) indicate a strong ability to meet short-term obligations, suggesting that the company has sufficient liquidity in the short term to handle immediate liabilities.

Overall, Eleving Group’s focus on providing loans, particularly consumer and car loans, partially explains the high level of debt on

their balance sheet. In the financial services sector, especially for companies involved in lending activities, it is common to maintain high leverage.

I cannot advise whether to invest or not, and it is not a full analysis, more like food for thought, always make a decision based on your opinion. For now, let’s wait until September 16, 2024, when we’ll be able to see the stock price on Nasdaq!

Know this—companies rarely (almost never) go public just because they have so much profit that they want to share their wealth with you. They need your money, but the question is— what for? To cover debts, to grow, or to repay other bondholders? Acquiring new businesses, buying diamonds, or creating a monopoly— we’ll only know in time.

Alise Kuzmina

Defense sector has become a huge thing in the past few years, and it’s easy to see why: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East have increased the need for weaponry. Not just because they need the guns and ammunition to fight with, but also because other states see that they need to arm themselves for potential conflicts in the future.

This article will explain some of the ways that you can invest in the defense sector, but will also explore the non-ethical part and how this investment can indirectly contribute to the rising geopolitical tensions. This is not financial advice.

So let's just start with the performance. The SPADE Defense index has been rising by 48%, since the start of Russia's invasion into Ukraine. Companies like RTX and Lockheed Martin have posted revenues of $202 billion and $159 billion, respectively, in the first quarter of 2024. Global military spending has reached a record $2.443 trillion, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous year. All of the projections say that the defense industry will grow even bigger in the upcoming years.

Design by Ieva Grundmane

Investing in the defense sector can, technically, be the same as investing in any other sector. You have individual stocks like RTX (RTX Corp.), GE (GE Aerospace), LMT (Lockheed Martin Corp.), BA (The Boeing Company), and GD (General Dynamics Corp). And you also have ETFs and indexes like SPADE, which was mentioned before.

But you know what, let’s step back for a second and think: If the first thought that comes to your mind when hearing about a new conflict is: “How can I make money from this?”, then you might need to take a second look at your moral compass. Honestly, investing in the defense sector is kind of like selling your soul to the devil for some material gain. Confused? Let me explain:

First of all, when you and many others start investing in defense stocks, it signals strong market demand and confidence in that sector, which will encourage the companies to expand their operations and production capabilities. That can potentially lead to an arms race where other countries feel the must to match these capabilities.

Secondly, you are indirectly supporting the wars being fought right now. You support the production of weapons used in the conflicts where humans die en masse. And although it may seem like numbers and letters on the screen, you are literally giving money to a company to make more guns to kill other people.

And you can obviously forget about any positive ESG factors. If we imagine that the US military is a country, then it would rank as the 47th largest emitter between all of the other nations of the world. And that’s just the US. And the societal impact of the sector is really not great either.

So to sum it up, if you invest in the defense sector, you are selling your future for some short-term gains. Even if “Live fast, die young” is your motto, I don’t think that melting from the heat of a nuclear blast would be the way you want to go.

Well, at least that would be the case if all of the big defense corporations were mostly traded by regular mortals like you and me. Of course, the collective effect of many investors coming together and investing in the company makes an impact, but I also believe that these companies would do just fine and would continue doing whatever they want. We are already in an arms race and have been for a long time, so I don’t think that this sector will slow down anytime soon, especially not in a time of increased government spending on the military. And of course, national security is really important and should not be taken lightly.

I hope this article made you think about how your investments can directly and indirectly affect the future of the world and most importantly your future.

Estonia’s First Retail Government Bond Offering

Estonia, well known for its prudent fiscal policies, has recently taken a significant step in its financial development by issuing government bonds to retail investors for the first time. This marks an important milestone in the country’s financial history, as it invites citizens to actively participate in shaping Estonia’s economic future.

By offering these bonds, Estonia provides its people with a new opportunity for investment, allowing them to directly contribute to national growth and economic resilience.

Andris Čipāns

Picture from the investor presentation of the Estonian Government Bond offering.

Why Estonia Issued Bonds Now

Estonia's decision to issue retail bonds is a strategic response to both immediate economic pressures and long-term fiscal planning. Since early 2022, Estonia has faced a challenging economic environment, with GDP contracting for eight consecutive quarters (Figure 1). By early 2024, the economy had shrunk by 5.7% from its pre-recession peak—one of the longest downturns in Estonia's recent history. Contributing factors include rising energy costs, disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine, and declining demand from key export markets.

Despite these challenges, Estonia's fiscal management has been commendable, with the debt-to-GDP ratio standing at just 23%, significantly lower than the European Union average of over 80%. This discipline has provided Estonia with flexibility during tough times, but rising costs, particularly increases in defense spending (projected at 3.2% of GDP), mean that new funding sources are now necessary. To further bolster national security, Estonia plans to introduce a defense tax in July 2025, which will increase both value-added tax (VAT) and personal income tax rates. These measures, combined with the retail bond offering, are part of a broader strategy to address the budget deficit while continuing to invest in national security and economic stability.

Beyond addressing fiscal needs, the retail bond issuance also seeks to diversify Estonia's funding sources and encourage greater public participation in national finance. By targeting retail investors, the government fosters a sense of ownership among its citizens, offering a stable return on investment while engaging them in the country's economic story. This approach also aims to improve financial literacy and make the general public stakeholders in Estonia's fiscal health and growth.

How Estonia’s Bonds Compare to Its Neighbours

Compared to its Baltic neighbours, Estonia's retail bond yields remain competitive. Currently, Latvia offers 3-year savings bonds with yields of 2.70% per year, while Lithuania's newest defense bonds are being offered at a 2% annual rate. Lithuania's 2023 3-year bond offering had a 3.9% coupon rate, which now trades at around 3%. By comparison, Estonia's two-year bonds offer a 3.3% annual return, reflecting the country's strong fiscal position while offering a yield competitive to its neighbours.

What Comes Next?

The initial €200 million bond issue was oversubscribed fourfold, with total subscriptions reaching €821 million, acting as proof to the success of Estonia's bond offering. This strong demand indicates confidence in the Estonian economy among both professional and retail investors. With the government prioritising local investors over larger institutional buyers, over 7,300 retail investors took part and subscribed to €29 million worth of bonds. This demonstrates that Estonians are eager to play a direct role in supporting the country's financial stability and growth.

The successful issuance of Estonia’s first retail government bonds is a significant milestone in the nation’s financial development. By offering competitive yields and emphasising local participation, these bonds address the country’s fiscal needs while fostering economic engagement among Estonians. As the bonds have begun trading on the Tallinn Stock Exchange, they remain as a secure and stable investment option during a time of global economic uncertainty.

Figure 1. Quarterly GDP Growth (data from Eurostat).

Figure 2. Government Gross Debt % of GDP (data from IMF).

Design by Lenija Liepiņa

INSIDER SPECIAL

by K ā rlis Aleksandrs Strante

As long as there has been civilisation, there has been beer and its brewers. Valmiermuiža being one of such, it had stagnated till the 21st century when our very own Aigars Ruņģis began a revival of the beautiful art that is craft beer with the founding of Valmiermuižas Alus

“ Artists should not stop painting and I should not stop developing new tastes.

Please introduce yourself and your background in SSE Riga. I am graduate of SSE Riga, founder, CEO of Valmiermuiža Brewery for last 15 years and one of very few Diploma Beer Sommeliers in Latvia. My mission is to take national drink of Latvia back on festive tables next to wines, champagnes by brewing local beer to savour.

How did you come to be the CEO of Valmiermuižas Alus?

Beer is in every Latvian DNS for thousand years. Imagine Mid-Summer night! Marketing, Strategy and Anthropology where my most loved courses at SSE Riga with extra “curriculum” at the informal Blue Velvet Club at the Paddy Whelan’s Irish Pub in Riga for students and teachers to meet, discuss and enjoy great beers on Friday nights. I was excited by the variety of beers. Intentionally I got the Summer internship at “Aldaris” – the best local brand 30 years ago. Few years later I became Managing Partner at the marketing communication agency McCann in Latvia. One of our long-term customers was “Aldaris” but our agency was dismissed by their new Marketing Director. I decided to make my own brewery because seeing opportunity in the booming craft beer market. I sold my shares in McCann business and invested all my money in the new brewery at my hometown. I had no idea how to brew beer then. But I was sure that Latvians would love to be proud of their national drink like the French do. I hired very experienced German Brewmaster to build the brewery and created my own local beer recipe. German quality and local Latvian taste. It worked.

Before that you were a part of McCann, could you tell us more?

McCann is the best marketing academy You could dream of. They have slogan for 100 years unchanged – “Truth well told”. I liked most to work with local companies, see their production process, search for their company and product “truth”. I wondered why many companies want to invest so much in sales and advertising and so little in product development. I believed that strong brands taste better. As a result I quit McCann I decided to brew the perfect beer myself.

I don’t know if you have seen, but Riga Neighborhood (An instagram account) were asking what is the locals favorite beer, Valmiemuiža came more than once. What do you think makes Valmiermuiža so unique?

Taste, authenticity and consistency. We have a joke that after visiting Valmiermuiža brewery and seeing how it is crafted and learning how to enjoy beer You will not drink beer ever in Your life again. You will savoir craft beer sip by sip like fine wines. Since day one Valmiermuiža beer is brewed in the old manor of Valmiermuiža. The taste is perfectioned every day. It is my passion and life-style. I am proud to brew national drink that You can find at Riga airport, AirBaltic business class, Kempinski in Riga and a few Michelin star restaurants.

Do you believe Latvian beer brands have potential in western Europe?

We see our beer is very much appreciate in Estonia and see growing appreciation in Finland and Lithuania. I see the Baltic sea region as our market. Our second biggest export market Ireland is an exception because of many Latvians living there. Our beer is not pasteurized to taste better resulting in shorter shelf life.

Be honest, is Valmiermuiža your favourite beer, perhaps there is a specific variety you like most?

Valmiermuiža Amber Lager. It was the first “baby”. The classics and still the bestseller. I have developed every taste of Valmiermuiža and each tastes best in its own way. Artist should not stop painting and I should not stop developing new tastes. And You should never stop exploring.

What piece of advice would you give to the current SSE Riga students that you wish you had known at the time yourself?

There is no universal formula of success that fits all. We all are different and everyone must find their own formula to succeed!

WHEN BRANDS FAIL

article by

As much as we like to say “any publicity is good publicity”, we know full well that is not always the case. As part of Black Ducky agency, we would like to bring you stories of when companies failed to understand, notice or even consider the wider issues they are existing in, yet decided to make advertisements that made everyone not only mad or disgusted, but also laugh about the total incompetence and question – How the hell did we end up here?

Nivea was, and is still, one of the largest personal care brands in the world, yet their cumulative IQ must have been close to that of room temperature when approving this short-sighted ad. The main message was to postulate white as the colour of purity. For advertising bed linens and milk - sure, go wild. When talking about skincare… Yikes. The logic did have some legs while being based on (rather outdated) Western ideals, where in many ways white is seen as the colour of purity and virginity. But, living in the real world, as much as they seemed to think that that would be the only thing people would think of when they saw the ad, it was not. The not-sosubtle racial connotation and insensitivity led to the advertisement being pulled quite quickly and an apology being issued. What made this even worse is the fact that the ad was targeted towards a Middle Eastern audience, being posted on the Middle East Nivea Facebook page.

Imagine you are a marketing exec at Bumble, and your market research says that many young people are taking vows of celibacy, due to the grim dating landscape. Also, you have heard of how young people like to challenge social norms, so in the least subtle way you could, you approve of a big billboard saying: “You know full well a vow of celibacy is not the answer”, to be displayed all over the US. This, you thought, would be perceived as a humorous way of poking fun at how chaotic modern dating tends can be, that way appealing to your core audience. But oh… how wrong you were.

A total Bumble fumble ensued with people being completely shocked at the blatantly tone-deaf advertising of Bumble, at the same time, and alienating many of the women who were using the app. As complaints piled in, Bumble was forced to quickly apologize for what had happened and to stick their tail in between their legs, being much more subtle in their marketing efforts going forward.

But now, imagine you are an executive at Coke and you are rather vexed at the ability of Pepsi to position themselves as the drink for the newer generation (quite honestly the 1984 Michael Jackson ad was very cool). So, perhaps rebranding might be the option?

Yes. Lets position ourselves alongside Pepsi, completely change our brand image and say – New Coke for the new generation.

One problem, CocaCola forgot something rather important - basically their whole identity. As the first soda company of its kind, they had positioned themselves as the obvious and more old-fashioned choice. In essence, they were acting like a teenager trying to fit in - trying to be someone they are not.

Imagine we are in times of war. Shots are being fired overhead, and you don’t know if you will survive the day. Actually this is a completely metaphorical war and instead of the military, it's just 2 soda companies, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, competing for a bigger slice of the market.

After a short stint as New Coke, the company caved and made the executive decision to go back to their original recipe, moving forward with more effective tactics to expand their brand. I would say it proved effective in the end, since the unofficial slogan of Pepsi is now - Is Pepsi Okay?

If we can learn anything from these absolute disasters of advertising campaigns, it is these 2 things – Think before you speak (especially to a global audience), and try not to be something you are not. If you can stick to that, you might not have an award winning campaign, but at least you will not be called a white supremacist.

LOOKBACK AT LOOKBACK AT Day

A WORD FROM DĀVIS TETERIS

“SportsCom kicked off the academic year with its first event, and despite a few bumps along the way, I’d call it a solid success. The weather was good, the energy was high, and the

BACKYARDS '24 BACKYARDS '24 Night

You must have heard the name Torger “Toto” Wolff if you know anything about Formula One; or you may have come across an edit of him on your For You Page despite being clueless about his identity. Coming from a humble background, having a short-lived racing career and working in the investment world for decades, he climbed his way up to the leadership of an F1 team.

Toto first found interest in racing at the age of seventeen. A visit to a friend who was taking part in a race at Nürburgring (Nürburg, Germany) for the German Formula Three Championship was the breaking point for him. When he saw the racing cars and the grid, he knew exactly what he wanted to do in life.

Thirty one years later he did go on to celebrate an F1 Grand Prix race win with Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton at this iconic track, but he had gone through a long way to live that moment. In order to pursue racing, one needs a big financial backup, which Toto Wolff did not have when he discovered his passion. After attending the Walter Lechner Racing School by combining Christmas and birthday presents for a couple of years,

he participated in the SEAT Ibiza Cup; and eventually Wolff attracted a sponsor for Austrian and German Formula Ford racing. He worked as an instructor and drove race cars at the famous Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria for a few years. Surprisingly enough, he was combining racing and education, leading up to him dropping out of the Vienna University Economics and Business.

WOLFF: TOTO BACK IN THE PADDOCK

Subsequently, he did some racing overseas - in New Zealand, although, he confessed in various interviews that he knew he was not as good as others and saw no future in his racing career, right when his sponsor decided to stop investing in the sport and Toto himself due to Ayrton Senna’s fatal incident at Imola in1994. Just like that, his dream of being a racing driver was over. A succeeding event in Wolff’s life was entering the banking industry as a trainee at a bank in Warsaw, Poland; afterwards, he worked as a representative for a steel and paper products company. As a result of spending time in the US to purchase a stake in a customer firm, he witnessed the birth of internet companies. When he returned to Austria, he started looking for internet startups to invest in and ended up founding his own investing business - Marchfifteen.

While his business was flourishing thanks to the “tech boom” era in the 90s, he returned to racing as an amateur driver. I’m sure you won’t be taken aback when I tell you that Toto Wolff ultimately started investing in racing in the 2000s. He has mentioned in numerous interviews that he put money into young talents to give them the opportunities he did not get to have. That was exactly when he first got involved with Mercedes, co-investing into Mercedes

Article by Anna Gogebashvili

NOT VERY GOOD IN SCHOOL, NOT VERY GOOD NOT VERY ATTRACTIVE WITH THE GIRLS AT SPORT,

Junior Programme. After some time, he was given an idea to buy the Mercedes DTM team - HWA. He has revealed in the “F1: Beyond The Grid” podcast that it was quite surprising for him that the team was for sale but he could not reject such an offer. Through that purchase he got closer to the key people in Mercedes, obtaining a special connection with his mentor Hans Werner Aufrecht - the A of the famous Mercedes AMG and the founder of HWA, and yes, it is also named after his initials. It is important to note that Wolff never stopped investing in young talents; in 2002, he proceeded to create a driver management company with a legendary Finnish racer and a two-time F1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen.

In 2009, Toto Wolff finally entered the world of Formula One. He was approached by Williams Racing; Frank Williams believed that Wolff was the person who could help him repay his mortgage. While reminiscing on this decision in his interview for CNBC earlier this year, Toto revealed that he made it with an intention to eventually exit F1 for profit. Anyhow, life had different plans for him. Wolff got to be involved in management of Williams thanks to his executive director post and played the key role in the team’s success - earning their only race win in decades. Following the triumph, he was asked to analyze Mercedes’ F1 team’s performance by the team’s board, which made Toto secure a position of the team’s managing partner and principal, as well as acquiring a 30% stake of it. Since that happened in 2013, Toto Wolff has been occupying three roles in Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team - team principal, CEO, and part-owner. He is responsible for racing activities, commercial aspects, and shareholder and franchise value with partners. Under his remit, Mercedes has won a record-breaking eight consecutive F1 Constructors’ Championships.

One day, the boy, who used to drive around Formula Ford cars at Spielberg, celebrated a 1-2-3-4 finish of his co-owned F1 teams there exactly twenty years after being forced to stop racing. Investment world took Toto Wolff back to where he belonged - the paddock.

Special thanks to Liliana Sidorova

Article by Pavel Zaytsev

Design by Katrina Zingule

GOOD OLD

BOAT TRIP REVIVAL

For three long years, the legendary boat trip — a cherished tradition full of fun, excitement, and unforgettable moments - was nothing but a distant memory. But last year, everything changed. Thanks to Liliana, our former Business Committee Chairperson, the boat trip made a triumphant return, bringing back the joy and energy students had missed. But was it smooth sailing to revive this tradition? We spoke with Liliana to find out. As we prepare for this year’s boat trip (or have already enjoyed it by the time you read this), let’s take a look at how Liliana brought one of our most beloved events back to life!

Liliana, first off, congrats! The boat trip is back, and students are hyped! How does it feel to be known as the one who revived this beloved tradition?

Thank you, Pasha! I can’t believe it's been almost a year since Boat Trip ’23 – it still feels so recent. That time was incredibly stressful, so some of the memories are a bit of a blur. But I remember the moments when students came up to me, thanking me for bringing back this cherished tradition and acknowledging the hard work behind it. Those “thank yous” meant the world to me, but what I’m most proud of is achieving my biggest goal as BusCom Chief. I’m glad to see the new SA Board continuing this tradition.

For students new to the university, can you explain what the boat trip is, share its traditions, and tell us why it was canceled for so long? And most importantly, why was it so important to bring it back?

Boat Trip is one of those events I’d heard about long before becoming a student at SSE Riga –visiting SSE, Drunk Debates and all the crazy stories that you hear after – I was really looking forward to it.

When COVID hit, Boat Trip had to be paused, and then, with Tallink suspending its routes from Riga, previous chiefs were left waiting for any sign of good news. Early attempts to reroute through Riga–Tallinn–Stockholm were too expensive, with quite high prices for buses and ferry tickets. But finally, in 2023, we made it happen. We succeeded in negotiating better prices with Tallink and found the most affordable bus option, making it possible for everyone to be part of this iconic event once again.

LILIANA SIDOROVA

Former Business Committee Chairperson | Maserati Enthusiast | Year 3 Student | Passionate about Business and Entrepreneurship

While some may see it as just three days of partying on a ship, for me, it’s so much more. The visit to our mother university, the Stockholm School of Economics, is truly the heart of the trip. It strengthens the connection between SSE and SSE Riga, giving our students a sense of belonging and opening doors to opportunities, like pursuing a Master’s degree. Of course, the walks around Stockholm and the time spent on the Tallink ferry, either in cabins or attending the parties, are when the best memories are made and where the juiciest gossip begins!

It sounds like quite an adventure to get this trip up and running again after three years. What did it take to bring the tradition back? How did you even start? Any funny or unexpected challenges you faced during the planning process?

I don’t even know where to start, but what scared me the most was how much planning this event needed compared to the usual parties at SSE Riga. There were a lot of details to manage, like collecting personal information, handling payments, assigning cabins, and giving out individual tickets.

I began by gathering advice from previous chiefs, then assembled a team, and that’s when the hard work started. We reserved cabins and buses, created advertisements and promotions. We planned the activities on the ship, and attracted sponsors like SexyStyle and Apollo together with Debate Society and JeJoue. We sent out the registration form and watched the number of sign-ups rise, eventually hitting almost 400 registrations — which both excited and surprised me.

Then came the challenge of assigning cabins, and that’s when things got tricky. Tallink had fewer A-class cabins than students wanted, some people misspelled their names on the form, others signed up five times, and a bunch of other small issues popped up. I also started getting emails with all kinds of questions, from the event schedule to what clothes to pack. But honestly, I forget the tough moments quickly, and now when I look back, most of them just make me smile.

This seems like a massive job. Who helped you the most along the way? Any shout-outs to teammates or other students who were key players?

None of this would have been possible without the team, of course. I’m incredibly grateful to Ralfs Gaigulis for his constant support, to my Business Committee associates at the time who were willing to take part in this, and to the current second-year students who jumped right into their roles and took on responsibilities as soon as they joined the committee. Support from the SA Board and help of other committees was invaluable as well. Honestly, I am grateful to everyone who was there for me, no matter if it was a huge help organizing the buses, for instance, or just some good words to cheer me up.

How did you promote the trip and make it exciting for students, especially for those who had never experienced it before?

Here I want to express gratitude to the Marketing Committee and Sofija. I think the marketing was absolutely top-notch — the poster design, social media presence, photowall, flyers with the schedule, Bingo, and even organizing the filming of the final video. Everything was simple, stylish, and I loved every detail. I still rewatch the video sometimes just to relive that amazing journey.

How did the actual trip go? Any standout moments for you personally?

I definitely didn’t expect the storm to be that intense! I think many of us discovered we get seasick. I also remember a group of friends being late for the ship, so I had to wait for them to hand out their boarding passes, but luckily, everyone made it onboard. Despite a few hiccups and things I’d tweak for next time, I truly think the trip was amazing—the number of stories that came out of it says it all.

My personal highlight has to be dancing with all the students in the main hall, shouting "SSE" and probably shocking everyone around us with our energy. That moment was so powerful, and it was probably the first time I truly felt a sense of relief.

Some key lessons learned: always check if the bottle cap is on before flipping it (or before putting it in your pants), attend TikTok dance classes, don’t forget about the drink discounts, and try to remember where your cabin is. But if you do get lost, don’t worry—the cabin can fit about 30 people. Maybe you’ll try squeezing in even more?

Do you have any hopes or visions for how the boat trip will evolve in the coming years?

My biggest hope now that Boat Trip is back is that this tradition will continue for years to come. But I’d also love to see new traditions grow around it—perhaps more interaction with the students from SSE, beyond just the presentation and campus tour. It would be amazing to build deeper connections and create even more memorable experiences together.

What advice would you give to the next person in charge of organizing this trip? Any dos or don’ts they should know about?

I’d say, first and foremost, stay organized and start planning early – there are so many moving parts, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One big “do” is to assemble a solid team you can rely on and delegate tasks – you can’t do everything alone, and teamwork will be your biggest asset. Also, double-check every detail – the little things make a huge difference.

As for the “don’ts,” don’t assume everything will go perfectly. Expect some chaos, and be ready to think on your feet when issues arise. Another key thing: don’t be too lenient. While it’s important to be approachable, you have to set clear boundaries. Being too flexible can cause things to spiral out of control. And definitely don’t underestimate the amount of communication you’ll need to manage.

Lastly, enjoy the process! Even with the stress, it’s a rewarding experience, and the memories you create with your team will make it all worthwhile.

Thank you very much! Here’s to our community and many more years of cruising, new friendships, epic stories, and memories on the open sea that will last a lifetime!

INOUT IN PARIS

ARTICLE & DESIGN BY DANIJA LIVA JAUNDZEMA

As most people know, Paris is THE fashion capital of the world. Not only is it the home of many famous Haute Couture Maisons such as Dior, Givenchy, Chanel, and Hermes, but it also mirrors its name on the Parisian streets. French people are known for their “casual chic” style or the “messy French girl” aesthetic that we see on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok however, what the influencers wear in Paris is a bit different from what the locals wear. Having said that, I can’t deny that people here are deeeefinitely way more stylish than in the Baltics. After being here for 2 months, seeing how the French dress on the daily, and having experienced also the PFW style, I will give you a couple of insights into what is in & out in terms of fashion in Paris, so that maybe one day Riga can replace Paris he fashion capital of the world (never say never).

INFLUENCERS

TOURISTS

To be fair, most of the outfits worn by influencers are super cute, so if you do want to look like the typical “it-girl” or your favourite influencer, go for oversized blazers, Canadian tuxedo, tall suede boots, oversized knitted sweaters and coats, ballet flats and tiny sunglasses. From what I have noticed, their mindset when choosing an outfit to wear in Paris is “less is more”, so just stick to that and you will look superb!

When you think of Paris and what to wear on your little trip you probably think of the stereotypical things - tweed sets, hair bows, headbands, berets, trench coats; most people will try to look like Blair Waldorf or Jackie Kennedy on steroids. To be honest, that is exactly what influencers and tourists are wearing in Paris which is how you can spot them amongst all the other millions of people you see every day. Now, don’t get me wrong, all those things can be cute but if you overdo them... try again.

LOCALS

This autumn, we see a lot of oversized blazers, micro shorts, everything suede, everything burgundy or dark brown not only on social media but also on runways nevertheless, Parisians don’t care about that too much. On the contrary to influencers, locals’ mindset is the complete opposite of “less is more”. French men (our age) still wear very minimalistic and business casual fits - lots of navy, dark green, gray and brown tones; they wear knitted sweaters, oversized t-shirts, baseball caps, loose jeans, loafers, and leather jackets. Moving on to women, they wear everything you can imagine and make it look super chic. There are two categories - the “Stockholm/French girls” who wear their outfits like school uniforms and the more creative French women.

I’m sure you’ve seen the Stockholm style on TikTok or some other social media platform - flared jeans, short coats, sneakers, etc. When I came to Paris, I was shocked to see that that is the 1:1 uniform that young French girls wear every single day. Let’s go over the essentials - flared denim jeans (gray, dark blue or black), a knitted oversized sweater (gray, navy or black), uggs or any basic white sneakers (not sambas or spezials), a short coat, preferably a bit oversized, and the most important piece - a Balenciaga city bag or any bag that resembles it. I’m not kidding when I say that I see this exact fit just in different colors every day at least 100 times.

THE OF PARIS

FASHIONISTAS

THE TYPICAL FRENCH GIRL

Now let’s move on to my favourite style I see in Paris - the maximalist but still minimalist, super cool, chic-looking style. It is complicated to describe what exactly these women are wearing because it truly is everything but I will try to narrow it down a bit to things I see most often. Starting with shoes - black loafers are a must, mid-knee length cowboy boots, a good pair of heeled black boots, kitten heels, and basic sneakers that look like they’ve been passed down 3 generations. I have noticed that sometimes the pair of shoes the women wear is the whole outfit, it pulls it all together and elevates the whole look. Parisian women wear more pants than skirts or dresses, usually, they choose slim-fit dark denim jeans or wide-leg/flared trousers that are low-waisted.

The bottom part of the outfit is paired with plain tshirts, oversized blouses with frills, bows or fun embroideries and topped off with a GOOD jacket. I have no idea where they get their jackets but I swear, they’re so good - different denim jackets, with fringe, studs, suede jackets, large blazers with sharp shoulders or fun quilted or belted vests. Last thing - the accessories; whether it be belts, earrings, long layered necklaces, bags with so many charms and keychains on them, silk scarves around their necks, thousands of rings and bracelets or a statement pair of sunglasses - Parisian women never make it look too much. Even if the outfits they’re wearing are very simple, they add many accessories and look as cool as one can look.

When I thought about how everyone in Paris always looks so cool, I understood that it is the way they grew up. In Latvia, everyone develops their style and it is usually different from what their parents wear but here, everyone’s relatives look cool, so it comes naturally to them to look effortlessly chic. In Paris, you can put on any outfit, think you look amazing, walk out of your house and wonder how everyone still has a better outfit than you do :D However, to end this on a more positive note, as Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu said in an interview - even though French people always look effortlessly chic, they do put A LOT of effort into every single outfit they wear, so it’s just an illusion :*

N N

ow, it did not make much sense to me, as I was sure that Einstein had passed away a long time before Instagram was even created (to be precise, the two events happened 55 years apart from each other). Having looked into it more, I found out that, indeed, it was no paranormal social media activity but, as stated in the profile’s bio, an “Official Instagram account of the World’s Favorite Genius. Managed by CMG Worldwide, authorized representative of the Albert Einstein Estate” – wow, a mouthful. The same could be said about the profile itself: since March 2015, there have been 2,368 posts made, attracting 1.8 million followers.

GHOSTS OF GHOSTS OF INSTAGRAM INSTAGRAM

Article by Ilze Rasnača Design by Patrīcija Blūmentāle

S S

ome time ago now – as one does – I was scrolling through Instagram, trying to distract myself from more useful, yet boring tasks, as I stumbled upon a post from a profile of a well-known, possibly the best-known, science guy – Albert Einstein (@alberteinstein). Sure, it could have been one of those weird fan accounts, contributing to the fanbase with an astonishing amount of “where in the world did you even get this” content, but not in this case. Much to my surprise, the profile’s username was accompanied by the blue verification symbol, indicating its authenticity, and confirming that this definitely is not just a fan account.

I I

am sure that each one of us has a different perception of social media and the numbers associated with the titles “followers” and “following”. To me, it is a platform for sharing and discovering each other. Kind of a “hey, look what I just saw / achieved / look like / attended” to other people, without having to address them personally. In @alberteinstein’s case, a less personal approach is to be expected, though, nonetheless, CMG Worldwide has been determined, posting something new almost every day.

A A

s I have found out, Einstein is not the only celebrity who has long passed, yet still has an actively running Instagram account in their name. The presence of such star personalities as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and others has not passed, as they appear on the IG feed almost as often as the Kardashian sisters. Still, there is one remarkable difference between the two cases that seems too controversial to surpass – how ethical is it for a third party to overtake the social image of a dead celebrity?

s with other disputable questions, I went on Reddit to see what other people say about this. There, in an open discussion, some had made a good point about the indifference in the upkeep of a celebrity’s social media account, whether they can or cannot have a say in it, because in both cases the output is selectively coordinated by a third person – someone of PR, for example. It is almost as if, once becoming famous enough, the image of you evolves into a whole other entity, to which no personal interest can be tied: it is purely strategic. As if the identity was a product, no longer related to its “source”, an almost material item detached because of the sheer reason of having turned into something conceptually greater than mortality

W W

hilst each of them has made a reputable heritage to human culture, it is important to keep in mind that the brought-out symbols are a result of the world’s perception and not the voices of the celebrities themselves. It has been clearly stated that the Instagram pages often dig deep into the archives, later surfacing unique “never seen before” photos or other remnants. Of course, that is the course of their action, or else they would not be able to upkeep a social media account of someone with no more output to give. I feel the need to return to my definition of the use of Instagram, highlighting how personal the environment should be, which is the complete opposite of the soulless impact such ‘Ghosts of Instagram’ imply.

W W

T T

hat is what the previously mentioned stars have in common – because of their great success and recognizability they have become the faces of specific movements, genres or eras, abstractly conquering the limitations of a human being. Einstein, having made a revolutionary invention in physics, symbolizes “the purity and power of intellectual exploration”. Marilyn Monroe, a woman of legendary beauty, to this day represents different perceptions of womanhood and its challenges, whilst Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were legendary musicians, both having made a difference in the music world as strong personalities with unmatched musical output.

ith this, the ethical inconsistencies remain unanswered. To me, it seems like a stick with two ends – sure, make a change in the world and become a well-known persona, only for the price of giving it (and yourself) to the hands of someone else.

THE LOST ART OF THE LOST ART OF HANDWRITEN NOTES HANDWRITEN NOTES

Article by Kristiana Labanovska Design by Zane Kalnina

In the world where university studies are associated with the ability to take notes digitally, I and many other first-year students were shocked by the strict no technology policy at SSE Riga. Although that quickly changed when the data analysis course began, the first three weeks of studies felt just like high school—with pen and paper being our best friends.

BENEFITS OF NOTE TAKING

Students often disregard handwritten notes because they struggle to organize information coherently. However, some are so used to doing everything digitally that they have forgotten how to write by hand. This is where the motivation to go back to square one and make handwriting cool again comes in. Therefore, I have prepared a list of benefits and even tips on being successful in note taking.

For you analysts out there, it is a great opportunity to explore your identity, as handwriting can be analyzed by writing style, letter size, and curves.

For kinesthetic learners, who need to physically engage with material to fully comprehend it, this is a more effective method, as writing by hand can make it easier to follow along.

Handwritten notes engage different parts of the brain, which can improve understanding, especially in difficult courses

yourIfyouarelookingtounleash notesinnerartist,handwritten canenhancecreativitybyincorporating systematizationwithcolored graphshighlighters,stickers,and

NOTE TAKING TIPS

When in doubt, it is not encouraged to highlight serious topics like “The Holocaust” in pink or adding bows to them, therefore here are some useful tips for efficient handwritten note taking:

Decide the purpose of your note taking: Is it for exam preparation, or just simple lecture notes?

Choose the right type of paper: I recommend using notebooks for regular notes, however in the worst-case scenario, an iPad will do. For exam preparation, something that stands out from your usual notes, like sheets of paper or Post-it notes would be the best option.

Organize the information: Use critical thinking and creativity to highlight what’s important or draw symbols to associate with key information. Do not be afraid to use colors, graphs, tables, and symbols.

Improve your handwriting: The more readable your handwriting is, the easier it is to understand the information you have gathered.

HANDWRITING ANALYSIS

If someone is still not motivated to write by hand, I introduce to you “Handwriting analysis”. There is nothing more fun than psychoanalyzing yourself, and with this method it is possible to understand one’s identity and habits just by judging the way they write. Go ahead and try it out:

1. The roundness of letters often indicates openness and relaxation.

· Round letters and loops suggest creativity, as the writer’s artsy alter ego might be trying to make even their handwriting decorative.

· This style is often perceived as feminine, while sharp letters are seen as more masculine and associated with rational, critical thinking.

2. Another indicator that one might have a creative mind or soul is the dot on “i”

· The further away is the dot, the dreamier is the writer.

· Use of hearts or bubbles instead of a regular dot, however, may indicate a childlike personality or a desire to relive childhood (a little too psychological, don’t you think?).

3. The way one crosses the letter “t” can reveal confidence or low self-esteem, depending on the height of the crossbar.

4. For the people who might struggle with filling an entire page up with text - do not worry – the smaller the letters, the humbler you are.

5. The spacing between letters can indicate loneliness or a desire for solitude, while the spacing between words reflects introversion or extroversion - let me translate it for you: the larger the gaps, the more of a “lone wolf” you are.

There is something special and even romantic in writing by hand. Therefore, let’s beat the misconceptions of it being just a Pinterest girlie hobby and encourage more people to hop on this academic trend that is definitely making a comeback!

BOAT TRIP

TRIP '24

HAS POLITICAL POLARISATION KILLED CENTRISM?

Written by Kārlis Šadris

Designed by Zlata Zajankovska

It doesn't take a great mind to realise that we are living in the midst of significant polarisation both politically and socially. Now perhaps more than ever, individuals are forced to take a stance on almost every issue that is being talked about in the public space of discourse. Whether that be the constant fight between the political right and left, climate change, gender politics, or even artistic expression and sports.

If you do not take a stance on an issue, you are seen as either unintelligent, not opinionated, or a supporter of the regime that both sides allege exists. In this article, I wanted to address this issue and, through various examples, answer the question: Does centrism still exist, and should it even exist?

First, let us get one thing straight: centrists still do exist. There are political parties and people in society that position themselves as centrists. However, this positioning quite often is under the guise of being the “rational mind” that doesn't agree with the radical opinions of either side.

This struggle is as old as modern society itself, there have and always will be radicals and moderates, yet now it feels like more than ever this idea is under threat. There is constant pressure on these people to align themselves with the agendas being pushed by either side; staying neutral is seen as being weak.

What has happened in politics in the last 15 or so years can be described as a development of the “sports team mindset." People are becoming so committed to their political ideology that they have started treating it like supporting a sports tea

Readers might be aware of the almost tribal style people support their football teams all across Europe, with “ultras” and things of that nature. People have become similar when it comes to their opinions on contemporary issues. In football or any other sport, it is very difficult to watch it and not get sucked into supporting a team; similarly, in politics, it is difficult to not align yourself with either side, especially when there is this constant push from the outside.

There are some identified as flag carriers of centrism's look at societal and political issues; one of the most popular ones is computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman. He has always maintained that he is a centrist with a backbone, rather than not taking a stance, he is very adamant that he has a concrete stance: listening to what both sides of an issue have to say. He has had socialists like Bhaskar Sunkara on his podcast, as well as predominant right-wing figures like Donald Trump or Elon Musk. His critics have largely come from the left wing and have said that he predominantly interviews people from the political right and does a very weak job of challenging them on their controversial opinions, but is quite active in challenging of his infrequent left wing guests.

Yet Lex had previously never been very vocal of his own opinions, often acting as a voice of reason and sparking an intellectual debate with all of his guests. Things have started to change for Lex in the last few years, with his critics being even louder in their condemnation for the previously mentioned issues regarding Lex's true political intentions and political stance. He recently tweeted quite cryptically, saying, “I hope this election is a landslide.” to his 3.7 million followers on the site.

This seemingly shows that one of the main centrists in the world has also quite radically changed his stance on politics, but it cannot really be known if it was down to the pressure of society or his own evolving ideals. I do think, however, if you were to ask Lex himself, he would still maintain that he is a centrist, as most people who have shifted to either side of the political spectrum would.

This is one of the main issues. We as people like to think that we are very rational, always come into everything with a neutral perspective, and evaluate everything based on merit. This is one of the main benefits of being a person in the political centre—you can evaluate each separate issue and find out where you stand on it. This is at least in theory, there is no general push from your side of the political spectrum to hold certain opinions.

couldn't be further from the truth. The way social media platforms have designed their algorithms to radicalise us every day, tailoring our feeds to reinforce our current beliefs and building social bubbles around us, creating a situation where people are taking a side on issues without even knowing it. Additionally, we are not these perfect decision-making and information-evaluating machines we perceive ourselves to be; we are susceptible to various biases and are influenced heavily by our closest people and lifestyle. Being a centrist has now become a choice rather than the default option. So, to answer the first part of the question raised in the beginning of the article, centrism isn't completely dead, it has just become much more difficult to maintain, and a lot of the people who consider themselves centrists truly aren't.

onto a part I consider much more interesting: should centrism even exist, and is it morally wrong to not take a stance on pressing issues? I think there is no definitive answer to this question. When it comes to things like war and what we consider fundamental human rights, the problem is that there is some debate to be had about what we consider fundamental human rights. A person should most definitely take a stance. The trick here is that this stance must be backed by the person actually being knowledgeable and expanding their knowledge about these topics.

problem is that there is some debate to be had about what we consider fundamental human rights. Does this include the reproductive rights of women? I believe so, but there are certain people who do not. There are thousands of issues today; there are some grey areas, and debates to be had. The saddest thing is that even in the current day where man has access to more information than ever before, these debates are even more and more influenced by false information, and the quality has gone down drastically. People are very emotional and far too often let emotion control their views; this is not wrong per se, but the reality is that these discussions are inevitably influenced far more by emotion and polarisation than by fact and logical aptitude.

that people are so emotionally driven and susceptible to biases and external pressure, it takes a lot to keep levelheaded. There is plenty of levelheadedness on both sides of the political spectrum (although each side thinks that the other is the crazy one), so it is not mutually exclusive to being a centrist. Some may say that life is too short and volatile to worry about such things, but when it comes to issues that are central to our plight as humans, I believe that taking no stance is not excusable. Each person should be knowledgeable enough regarding these topics to form an opinion.

THIS NOW ANOTHER GIVEN TO

wrap up, centrism is not something that is entirely dead, but it continues to become more difficult to be a centrist, and the idea of centrism has shifted itself. One may argue about the necessity of people that remain neutral on things, but I say when it comes to general politics or issues that are largely discussed in society, every opinion, even a neutral opinion, is crucial.

I thank you for your time, dear reader.

The comeback of physical media

You have definitely noticed that these past few years many retro items have resurfaced back to our everyday. Whether these are film cameras, vinyls, DVDs or CDs with movies or anything else that 20 years ago would have been considered completely normal - people nowadays too seem to be drawn to older items. Though with the convenience of digital photography, online streaming sites filled with various movies and tv shows, and music streaming platforms with new songs coming out every day, why is there still such an appeal for the so-called retro media?

It might be interesting to note why people are surging back to physical media in the first place. And this includes various aspects. A big factor for this peak in popularity is most likely the vintage vibe of using something older and more unique. To watch a 90s tv show on Netflix is one thing, but to then watch this same TV show on a TV from your dad’s childhood is a whole different type of experience. You not only watch a show, you get to, at least for a second, the experience of going back in time - to a simpler world. There is also the nostalgia factor. Most of us grew up watching cassette or DVD movies, thus returning to them brings back a part of our childhood. In addition, typical modern media can create an overwhelming feeling for many people, inspiring them to just disconnect and watch something “the old fashioned way”. Consuming media this way makes it feel less forced and more authentic, limiting unwanted stress factors.

Article by Anete Tikmane Design by Dominika Ignatjeva

Sensory Engagement and Rituals

The appeal of physical media goes beyond just nostalgia, it engages our senses in a way digital media can't replicate. The warmth of a vinyl record’s sound, the tactile satisfaction of loading a DVD or cassette, and the visual appeal of retro packaging all contribute to the overall experience. It turns consuming media into a ritual rather than just another casual activity. This sense of involvement offers a deeper connection to the content, giving it more significance in our lives. Another significant factor of influence is also the various retro films that inspire us, not to mention various TV shows and movies nowadays also being set at an earlier time. Ever wanted to be like the main character of a romcom set in 2004? Or, perhaps, communicate only using the phone at your house?

Collectability and Rarity

For many, the appeal of physical media lies in its collectability. Vinyl records, vintage cameras, and rare DVDs can become highly desired items. Collecting these pieces not only provides a nostalgic rush, but it can also become a long-term hobby or even an investment. But most probably the largest factor that mostly subconsciously affects us is the need to own tangible versions of our favorite media. Platforms like Netflix often remove or switch up the rotation of their content. By owning a physical copy, we can be confident of never losing our favorite masterpieces. Owning something physical just feels more personal and meaningful. Having a large collection of your favorite albums as vinyls can also be a great conversation piece for when your friends come over.

If you too are a fan of physical media, and would like to pursue it further, we compiled a list of places in Riga for all your retro needs!

“Nostaļģija” (Matīsa street 38) - an old school place that sells relatively inexpensive vinyls, cassettes and other forms of physical music copies of your favorite 20th century artists.

“LP music and film store” (Krišjāņa Barona street 37) - a bit more modern, as it has many vinyls and CDs of modern music as well. This place also has a very broad selection of movies in the form of CDs.

“VINNYLLA.lv/plates.lv” (Brīvības street 98) - a cozy shop of, once again, your favorite music vinyls.

The Facebook group “FOTO Tirgus” - the best way to find a vintage digital or film camera to abuse with your friends.

Thrift and charity stores - a very broad location, but if you scour the correct areas, you too might come across the vintage items of your dreams.

Lastly, check with your parents or grandparents, and see what type of retro physical media you might already have in your house. Chances are, they have a subsequent amount from their adolescence as well.

Whether you're looking to relive cherished memories or embark on a new hobby, exploring physical media is a way to slow down and truly savor the music, movies, and photographs you love. So, take a break from the endless scroll, visit one of these local spots, and rediscover the joy of physicality in an increasingly digital world.

WOULD YOU SURVIVE

A DAY IN

Paris WITHOUT GETTING DEYONNA

For this issue, I have been given the chance to write two articles. Since I already told you about the stylish/cool side of Paris, I do have to let you know that the fashionistas are also super annoying, so let me tell you about certain things that annoy me quite often in Paris.

PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO WALK !!!

My biggest pet peeve is slow walkers however in Paris, there are not only slow walkers but also the people who walk two steps and STOP in the middle of the street, right in front of you. One thing is tourists - ok, you see the Opera or the Eiffel Tower, you want to stop and take a picture or look at Google Maps to see if you’re even walking in the right direction or do some other stereotypical tourist thing; but another thing is just random people stopping for random reasons - having to light a cigarette, having to send a text

oui oui baguette

ARTICLE & DESIGN BY DANIJA LIVA JAUNDZEMA

message, tying their shoes, taking something out of their bags, taking a sip of their coffee or anything else. Guys, I also do all of those things but STEP ASIDE. Sometimes I feel like people here have not heard of such a thing as “side of the pavement”, they only know the middle part and that is exactly where they will stop to daydream.

THE METRO AIR VENTS !!!

I’m sure you’ve seen the large metal vents in the middle of the pavement in maaaany many places in Paris that blow out large flows of warm air. The locals know not to walk on them since the metro air is quite nasty, tourists do it and act like Marilyn Monroe but that’s on them. What’s so annoying about these air vents? No matter which side of the vent you choose to walk on, the warm air will always end up on your face; your hair = ruined; your coat = flying in the air & the worst of them all since Paris is very similar to London in terms of weather, if you’re carrying an umbrella - good luck cause the chance of it being flown away or flipped to the other side is preeeeetty big.

THE LONG QUEUES !!!

Saw a cute place on Instagram or TikTok and want to quickly go in for a cup of coffee? - Yeah no, turn around and go home. It doesn’t matter if it’s a coffee shop, a clothing store, a restaurant, or a museum - if it blows up on social media, there will be a long long line to get in. I’m sure most of you know about the famous steak & frites place in Paris (Le Relais de l’Entrecote), if you want to get a table there, go at least 30 minutes before they open. If you want to get the famous pastries made by the pastry chef Cedric Groletprepare to stand in a line for 20-30 minutes. Of course, sometimes you can get lucky but most of the time if a place is either super good, has blown up on social media or both, think of an activity to do for 40 minutes while standing in the line.

SHOPPING !!!

The first thing all SSE Rigans do when arriving in Stockholm during Boat trip - is Uniqlo. In Paris, there is also a Uniqlo, even multiple ones, and let me tell you, if you’re looking for a place to get

overstimulated, go there. Shopping in Paris can be so overwhelming since the stores are HOT, packed with locals and tourists, there are at least 10 people in front of you waiting to try stuff on and it is the most difficult thing to find a person who works there and is not sprinting from one side of the store to another. Again, not all stores are like this but the most popular ones are, especially Uniqlo. In Riga, if you go to a store before it opens, you will most probably be the first person in there, in Paris if you do that, you will be greeted by 30-40 other people who are doing the same thing.

THE WIFI !!!

Would you believe me if I told you that unless I connect to my university’s wifi, I can’t even send a message to anyone because my phone shows “3G” or even “E”? Unfortunately, that is the case, and it is not only at my school; it can happen in a shopping mall, in the park, on the train, the metro, the bus, literally anywhere. I don’t have much to comment on this, I just think it is bizarre how you can’t always be sure that if you take 3 more steps, you will have wifi, so appreciate the connection we have in the Baltic States. I assume you would have expected me to talk about people not knowing English or the city being dirty but I have to tell youthose are all the things people observe when going to the tourist spots. If you take a good walk around Paris, you will quickly learn that there aren’t piles of garbage bags everywhere, the city doesn’t stink, people do know English and there are many more annoying things than those two. INSIDER | 53

THE

UNHAUL DEINFLUENCING & UNDERCONSUMPTION TRENDS IN 2024

Article by Arina Kosmaceva Design by Danija Līva Jaundzema

One of the most memorable trends that reflects anticapitalist attitudes in 2024 is unhauling. As the counter to the once-popular haul videos, where influencers would showcase their large-scale purchases—often of fast fashion, beauty products, or home goods—unhauling encourages people to get rid of the unnecessary items, limit the unstoppable and mindless consumption, and reflect critically on their buying habits.

Haul videos initially thrived on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where influencers paraded new purchases from major brands, feeding into a culture of excess shopping and fast fashion. However, as environmental concerns and critiques of consumerism grew louder, unhauling appeared as an antidote. Rather than glorifying the giant closets and never ending skincare shelves, unhaulers documented their journeys of downsizing, decluttering, and making mindful purchasing decisions. The message was quite clear: happiness and identity should not be tied to the size of the shopping bags and the latest products pushed by corporate giants.

Unhaul embodied a rejection of overconsumption, which has been historically driven by capitalist imperatives, and reflected an intersection of minimalism and anticapitalism, where the reduction of personal consumption becomes a form of political resistance of Gen Z and late Millennials. The trend, as they do, bored people after a few weeks, but was soon to be reborn under a slightly different name.

Consequently, the resurgence of unhauling came into light as deinfluencing. It encouraged netizens to resist the pressure to follow the consumption-driven advice of influencers who promote products and lifestyles that glorify materialism. The trend began as a reaction to the commercialization of social media, where influencers, often paid by brands, present an idealized version of life centered around continuous purchasing.

In contrast to the “fake” influencers, deinfluencers advised their followers to critically evaluate the products they are being sold. Instead of cultivating the idea that happiness and self-worth are attainable through the latest products, deinfluencers advocated for a more sustainable and self-aware approach to spending. They empowered young people to rethink their relationship with money, consumption, and identity in general, highlighting the manipulative tactics used by corporations and influencers to foster a sense of urgency and necessity around nonessential and often expensive goods.

The concept of underconsumption gained popularity around summer of 2024, mirroring broader anti=capitalist sentiments. Underconsumption emphasized buying less, making do with what one already has, and prioritizing quality over quantity. It stood in stark contrast to the capitalist logic of infinite growth. By embracing these principles, people resisted the pressure to continuously upgrade their belongings and participate in the race to keep up with new trends. For many Gen-Zers, underconsumption was not just about personal finance or environmentalism — it was a conscious rejection of the capitalist values that present consumption and fulfillment as equal.

Underconsumption and other trends reflect a desire to step outside the capitalist cycle of buy-use-dispose and to reimagine a way of life that is not dependent on constant purchasing. And what makes anticapitalism particularly interesting in 2024 is its cyclical nature. Every two to five months, social media platforms witness a resurgence of these movements, each time reaching new audiences and sparking fresh debates. While some critics argue that these trends are superficial or performative, there is no denying that they are part of a broader and growing critique of capitalism. This consistent resurgence reflects the persistent tension between capitalism’s push for growth and Gen Z’s growing dissatisfaction with the environmental and social consequences of unchecked consumption, particularly among younger generations.

Article by Madara Šlitke

Design by Paula Vērdi

The fall interview season has been finalised. Some happily find themselves accepted into their dream committees or organisations, others are left puzzled - did I utterly humiliate my entire being just to receive a rejection letter?

Firstly,

I want to clarify - if there is even the slightest glimmer of regret or shame over your unlucky interview, I sincerely hope you forgive yourself without hesitation. We have all done it, we are all cringe (some more than others tho), everything happens for a reason so on, so forth. However, if you have spent some time in the halls during September, chances are you have also heard the shared frustration of your peers. Why does it feel like each organisation is competing for the most uncomfortable candidate? Why do I have to share my kinks to be admitted into an organisation which values responsibility and initiative? Or are my fellow SSE Rigans simply children, hungry for humiliation and gossip, disguised as a test? Yet as we all know, in each SSE Rigan lives the third wolf of absolute wisdom and excellence, so surely it must be something else. To help you narrow down a more reasonable theory, I spoke with our chiefs.

Je Joue

First, it is essential to note that no two Je Joue interviews have ever been the same. Each question we ask is influenced by the energy of the interview and, perhaps, the “mood” of the interviewers on that particular day.

To truly understand why we ask these unusual questions or dares, you need to grasp what Je Joue is really seeking: we look for someone who does not desire to simply fit in. We look for someone with a unique spark, something extraordinary that sets them apart. I believe that by challenging people with unexpected situations is the only way to make people think on their feet and bring out these qualities.

Je question we these fit bring out these qualities.

It is a common misconception that our interviews aim to humiliate. If you have ever experienced a Je Joue interview, you will soon realise that we are not laughing at you. Rather, we are laughing with you, and simply checking if you fit in.

The Event Committee

For us, 15 minutes to find out whether a person is capable of organising events is very little, so we mainly tried to ask questions related to the organisation, experience and our committee, such as hypothetical situations.

Besides that, we also asked people to dance, and to interact with people in the room in different ways, because the participants of the event committee should be able to not only organise and create events, but also hype up people in order to be good compadres. Of course, there were some funny and stupid questions, but to us they are meaningful. Very often, such questions test your creativity and ability to get out of difficult situations, which is an incredibly important aspect of being an event committee associate. As long as the interview tests a person's skills, does not humiliate, force to do something bad or insult themeverything is fine.

Debate Society

As a debater you have to be able to form an opinion on any topic, any side, no matter how much knowledge you have about it or how uncomfortable it makes you, thus these questions show us how creative the candidate is.

The Sports Committee

Black Ducky

We know you are smart, but in this endless world of applications we are not the exception. we have to know how big of an “outside of the box” thinker you actually are. What if we had to make a campaign that requires the essential knowledge about the best p*rn category? Although for the most part we kept our interviews PG13, our portfolio is diverse, you never know what lies ahead, so we have to figure out what you would do in unfamiliar or complex contexts.

The Alumni Committee

Our interviews consisted of two parts, of whom the first was only 5 minutes long. Each candidate could determine themselves how the interview proceeds by showcasing their talents. Then in the rapid questions that followed, we tried to match the candidate’s attitude. If you come to the interview unprepared without having familiarised yourself with the organisation at all, of course, it doesn’t make sense for us to ask you organisation related questions, and some “crazier” ones might emerge. Although it's a pleasure to have a lot of students interested in joining, we do value quality over quantity. If only those applied who had genuine interest in being a part of alumni comm, it would probably be less tiresome to the interviewers, making the experience more enjoyable for both parties.

The “crazier” set of questions were only a certain portion of our interviews, and were used to determine whether the candidate would fit into our group in terms of their personality and sense of humour. They did not ask for any sensitive information, but rather allowed the interviewee to demonstrate their ability to turn the situation around and have fun with their interviewers.

* There may have been mildly “inappropriate” questions in other interviews as well, but I personally did not deem them of great significance.

Dracula and Mina: Love Never

of the most legendary characters ever. He appeared right alongside the birth of cinema, so you can imagine that Dracula is practically as old as the movies themselves. The character's origins reach back to the timeless classic - Bram Stoker's gothic masterpiece Dracula, written by the Irish author in 1897, where the legend of the vampire truly began.

Many films have been directed by well-known filmmakers such as Roman Polanski, Francis Ford Coppola, and Werner Herzog, all of whom have brought their own vision of Count Dracula to the screen. Today, we’re diving into Coppola’s take on Dracula, the most romantic and a threetime award-winning adaptation. Francis Ford Coppola reimagined the terrifying character of Dracula, showing that it’s not just blood that can revive a soulless vampire but something far more powerful. Something that compels us to show compassion, forgiveness, and, at times, even hatred. It’s a force that can take hold of us, making our hearts beat faster - even for those thought to be lifeless. Let us go back to the history of Dracula for a moment.

This fearless warrior, once the leader of an entire army, lost his humanity and became a vampire after a cruel deception by the enemies. The story of Dracula is as symbolic as it is tragic. When his first wife took her life after believing Count Dracula had died, he couldn’t cope with the grief. Dracula chose eternal life to cross oceans of time to find her in any century, any lifetime. The true symbolism of the story lies in the twist of fate that marks the revival of Count Dracula. The movie opens in Transylvania, where Count Dracula lives and is making plans to purchase property in London. Soon after, young attorney Jonathan Harker arrives at his castle to assist with the paperwork for the purchase. By chance, Dracula noticed a medallion Harker carried, illustrating the image of a young lady of indescribable beauty, Harker’s fiancée, Mina. After trapping the attorney in his castle, Dracula leaves Transylvania and makes his way to London with one goal in mind — to find Mina. Why her? Who did he truly see in that picture? What had he remembered - or perhaps never forgotten? In truth, Mina was the exact resemblance of Dracula's long-lost love, Elizabeth, and for this reason exactly, he set off on his trip. Upon arriving in London, a once elderly, pale vampire with unnaturally sharp ears and teeth becomes a young and handsome aristocrat looking to buy some property in the city. This scene is perhaps the most fascinating of all - with his cane in hand and cylinder hat atop,

he strolls around London while radiating charming but at the same time horrifying elegance. With the effortless walk and his signature glance that slips over sunglasses and masks the colorchanging eyes, his glorious charcoal three-piece suit whispers that the devil indeed wears Prada. Don’t get me wrong, Dracula is one of the striking examples of an antihero. Vampires, by nature, are terribly and endlessly selfish. They extend their own lives by taking the lives of others and due to their heartlessness, feel no regret. So how is it that Count Dracula has such an undeniable magnetism, almost compelling us to feel deep empathy and fascination for his character? On the one hand, Dracula was a bloodthirsty and cruel monster, but on the other, a hopeless romantic looking for peace of the soul. The duality between the bright and dark sides of Dracula shows up throughout the movie, leaving us wondering which side will win in the end. Dracula, deeply in love with the gentle and heartful Mina - his Elizabeth - realized that for their lives to truly be connected, she would have to die and spend eternity in darkness with him. But he couldn’t do it because she was the one person he loved more than himself. Mina loved Dracula for who he was, whether a vampire without a reflection, a cursed monster, or a simple mortal. None of that mattered—she fell in love with his soul, a soul that had crossed centuries just to find her. Out of love, she drove the sword fully through Dracula's heart.

Mina revived his humanity and gave him a chance to reunite with his beloved Elizabeth. Coppola didn’t make a film about vampires, he made a movie about love—love that goes beyond time and even death. The moral of the story is not simple, but it shows that the reunion with the lost love was the very motive that revived Dracula's long-buried human feeling - sacrifice in the name of true love. It showed that, despite his sins, Dracula's heart deserved more than to be driven through with a stake, it deserved forgiveness.

Article by Aleksandra Kiopa & Design by Inese Smila

CROCS CROCS

Article by Daniels Krists Dzirnieks & Design by Rebeka Rumbēna

Those chunky, foam clogs that used to be famous in the 2010's are now one of the hottest shoes around, if we don't take Birkenstocks into account. It’s hard to believe, but Crocs have gone from being the joke of the fashion world to the shoe that everyone, from celebrities to fashion lovers to students is wearing.

Crocs were originally made for boaters and people who liked practical, comfy shoes. They weren’t exactly known for their looks. But now, they’ve found their way onto runways, into high fashion, and even onto the feet of stars like Howie Mandel and Stormzy.

How did this happen? How did this happen?

ARE ARE

Well, one reason could be the rise of "ugly fashion," where weird, different-looking things become trendy. People are tired of painful high heels and stiff dress shoes –they want comfort. And Crocs, with their soft, squishy soles, are as comfortable as it gets. It gives the bearer the feeling of walking on clouds, when really, you're on the pavement in Maskačka.

One big part of Crocs’ comeback is the addition of Jibbitz. The small charms that you can stick into the holes of your Crocs to decorate them caused a lot of good fuss around the shoe. Now, wearing Crocs wasn't just about comfort; it was about customizing them. It not only allowed people to express themselves, but it also allowed people to stick LeBron on their creps.

Then, of course, there are the celebrity endorsements. When you see someone like Post Malone or a famous athlete proudly wearing Crocs, it makes you stop and think, “Wait, are Crocs cool now?” Suddenly, what was once embarrassing is now something people are excited to wear. Plus, they’re practical and comfortable, so why not?

So, whether you love them or hate them, Crocs have made a comeback. They’ve proven that fashion is sort of deja vu, and comfort sometimes wins over style. If you’ve got a pair laying somewhere around, or in the trunk of your car, now might be the time to bring them back out!

BACK.

BACK.

GOSSIPS GOSSIPS GOSSIPS

Y1 blonde guy with this kinda little moustache in the ncc was acting up on every girl like a predator… still disgustingly checking out our girls at uni and not hiding it . Please learn boundaries. Literally no one wants to feel your eyes on them or be touched by you.

RR Y1 got lost during Pubtour with exchange student from Sweden

The Sinners was sinnering - as always, the music was pretty mid, the music at NCC was 100% better

L.F. Y1 is a disgusting man, he needs to learn how to behave with women because for now this dumbass only see women as a piece of meat and that’s awful.

In Sinners club I.C. y2 had so much fun that he befriend random guy with whom he took on adventure to explore several girl apartment and might have woken up with someone by his side.

a guy from y5 followed me like a tail. annoying

Sandro the German doesn't drink beer but is very hot

all year 1 boys had a kissing party afterwards

Some y1 should be more humble. Guys do not think of you as Gods, you haven’t even started studying for hard courses.

NCC was a cirque where y1 were animals and y2 & y3 were audience.

Overhearing some y1 flirting with each other was the most traumatic experience this year.....

Kostjas lectures 2 years in a row afte r pubtour hits different

I sleep like a baby at night, knowing that, while R.R. is away, we have M.P., who will hold the fort down and keep the tradition of drinking like there is no tomorrow alive and well. Moreover, the rebound must be studied: when I left, he was swaying more than a drunk sailor in a storm, but in the morning, his sunny smile was brighter than ever. (He might have still been drunk.)

E.P. Y1 bagged an alumni already #gogirl

L.K.S (y2) and O.V.K (y3) is a new power to which nobody can stand against

Is it just me or did the y2s enjoy the pub tour more than the y1s?

many taken y1’s kissing fellow sse rigans during the events, then pretending to not know each other the next days - classic

Guys, just get your balls and talk to the girls!!

the resemblance between the rich y1's and their fathers, cr uising in their Mercedes with other chicks while og toothpick blondie waits at home

With all due respect to some of the year 2's, W32 is a small auditorium and scents move through the room easily that is why I kindly remind of personal hygiene. Showers and deodorants are our friends

:)

RK from y1 locking lips with a EM from y2, what does his girlfriend think about that?

Georgian guys isn’t impressed. We need more wildness!!!!

K.P. really be drunk on power while sending out ugly emails

y2s & y3s are so desperate trying to make out with y1s

For how long have LS and PP Y3s been together???

To the year 1s who stayed in school to drink and party in the lobby, you could not be more stupid. Pray that you wont get expelled and thanks for cancelling the interviews

Drinking in the lobb y is just disrespectful, how did these children get admitted even

Never seen vp so pissed, y1 really fucked up

Please Y1, shut the f up in the R lectures and go home if you want to just play video games, you're not in high school anymore

After interviews, one thing I can say is that we have a few sexists and homophobes in this house

When did we as a society agree that chin puff beards are okay

Ladies ladies ladies... R.J. Y2 really is a catch I must say

Y1 R.S. and R.J. have such hittable faces

Let's eliminate the birkenstocks, keep the dogs in a pair of sneakers

I hear there is great tension in the black ducky organisation... can someone please defuse the situation?

R.J. (Y2) might be the best looking guy in Y2

I heard that many Y1's left sports com interviews spooked shaken, and intimidated

A.Ķ.(Y2) is such a biteable piece of machinery

I heard that there's this guy in Y1 that benches 97.5 kg for reps.. I wanna see him arm wrestle I.C.

KB (Y1) was a legend in pub tour, got a big ass Jack Daniels bottle and was up for all the Bingo challenges

Heard that R.P. one of compadres for pub tour took the "alas" jug

RP (Y1) s wore to overthrow debate society board

Sports committee chief might be my new crush

Y1's have been saying that KP (y2), the math TA, has the best explanations and is overall really successful in explaining concepts (and he also has the best eyes)

I hope AP (Y2) will return when R assignments come knocking.

Some exchange students in pub tour were really cool, props to them

On the surface Black Ducky seems extrem ely cool, but I have heard some rumours that some people don't get along that well

I think this one guy is really cute, but he is Y3, should I rizz him? ( I am Y1...)

Who the fuck broke a toilet seat in Sinners?

I choked on a carrot

G’s buzz cut looks a little bit like urine

G in year one is acting though for no reason

I feel so stupid, I want to approach the guy from Y2 (usually wearing a black polo knitwear and bootcut jeans) but I'm too scared. He is soooo fine! XOXO

those people who apply to multiple organisations/associations and rank them each time differently in the interviews, stop sucking up to the interviewers

fyi for the newbies, we don’t drink out in the open and bla st music in the lobby

Some Y1’s are so disrespectful and cannot keep their mouth shut at math seminars, poor TA’s, they are doing their best

You know who you are. How is it that you manage to show up late to every lecture— not just slightly late, but always right when the class has settled in, disrupting the flow? Please, have the decency to show some respect for your fellow students and show up on time. I t’s not that hard.

Why did Varis send a video of himself sweating in a sauna to the group chat with a caption "spicy just for you "?

Is Alumni chief single?

I feel like M.P. (Y2) has the toughest liver, he carries the legacy of sports com

RGSL had their fair share of talent in volleyball, props to them… if only DT hadn’t been 10 beers deep, we can only speculate

sad to see so few y1s at backyards

Jordan just doesn’t miss

sse team, maybe don’t drink till blackout if you have to play volleyball?

there is something special about I.K. (Y2) getting drunk at Mezrozes. Such a vibe

J.J. (Y2) was walking around before the party and learning Latvian essentials. What a lad!

SportCom has once again proven its the best association out there

Backyards had a very good dj, dance floor was full till the end

It is funny that sob er RGSL were competing against drunk SSE Riga.

A.Ķ (y2) is mf mental at football, sad that no bones were broken for RGSL

DT going crazy at the backyards, still wondering how he didn’t have a blackout

This one girl was having A LOT of fun. Kissing one guy, but when he disappeared found a sub. Somehow the first guy didn't mind, bc after returning they went to eating each others faces again..

Y1s going wild, g irls climbing guys like trees to suck face

not a gossip, but guys volleyball against RGSL was the most interesting game of the day

some people really showed their true colors during the mixed team games, and not in a friendly competitive way

dkd who was that girl next to the toitois? u really gotta find jesus...

SportsCom definitely the hottest committee

I've been completely captivated by DKD, the most stunn ing person in school, whose radiant smile and enchanting presence leave me breathless. I find myself daydreaming about every word he says, hoping for a moment of serendipity where I can reveal my feelings. Who knows, maybe love will blossom in the most unexpected way!

Boat trip marketing sucks (if there is something that can suck). buscom and marketing chiefs stop embarrassing the schools and start doing your job! one deadline has passed but we still haven't seen anything

I want to talk to that really tall guy in year 2 but I am kind of scared

Apparently alumni chief and KP are dating. So many Y1s broken hearts..

Spotted: Two pairs getting extra flirty— but wait, it seems that Y1’s not-so-single girl and boy have forgotten about their significant others. We see the glances and the sneaky flirting. The risk? All yours. But don’t think you can fool our eyes that easily.

Xoxo,

Gossip Girl

I want to bury my head in the sand when I see guys with bare feet in their shoes

Are we aware that birkenstock season is over?

Mini Tuskens is really freaking me out, the resemblance is uncanny

Je Joue seems like a club for lonely and desperate weirdos

The G.G. guy is really not the top G he says he is, let's tone it down a bit

A guy from Tornkalns was known for his unfunny "your mother" jokes. One evening, he made the mistake of joking with a group of Italian tourists, unaware they were linked to the mafia. Offended by his disrespect, they demanded he make amends through various tasks. Realizi ng his error, this guy complied, learning about cultural sensitivity and respect along the way. Eventually, he earned their forgiveness and developed a more respectful sense of humor, turning a potential disaster into a lesson on the power of words.

K.G.Z didn't know you are this wild... you go girl

Petro rizzing all the girls on the dance floor

ZZ was walking without her galkotkas at 3 am in the corridor

D.T. digging his claws into R.R. … Interesting to see how long it will take before he gets bored of her

T for concom chief? The way he fixed ceiling panels on the boat with his fists shows the right attitude

Some say some y1’s tried to get a feel of a woman’s s touch, sadly they were not so successful in that aspect, not even a wingman can help.

Why so many people were banished from their cabins just because someone wanted to get freaky. Shame yall nasty

Some men who are clearly in relationships can’t keep their hands off of the grannies on the baltic queen :(

K.P. Was about to cry when the lead singer seductively looked at him and started to sing Dua Li pa

Got scared for the girlies which all got picked up on the dance floor by some guy and tried to take them away. Can’t trust men after diddy case

next time need to book a seperate room for all the lucky ones who got kicked of their rooms because of some activities happening in there

The security guys definitely enjoyed all the nepatikshanas we created

The debate society chose the undebatable topics

y2 K.S. is a proficient latvian speaker how much weight can tallink beds hold?

HOROSCOPES HOROSCOPES

Text that person you had a thing with in October. The fling is there for the taking. You are young and it is time to capitalize on every little opportunity for fun that life throws you

It takes n+1 wipes to understand that you only needed n wipes. That is a little life lesson that shows that you should be quite sure that you really want to do something before doing it. Keep that in mind this month.

Scorpio Scorpio Scorpio Saggitarius Saggitarius Saggitarius

You will find true peace this month. Life is a ruthless rollercoaster, but this month you will be a person that is unfazed by that. You will be the maker of your own peace.

Capricorn Capricorn Capricorn

How can you know that the people around you are really the right ones? There is no sure fire way. This month you should think about the people you surround yourself with and evaluate what each of them bring to the table.

Pisces Pisces Pisces

Your screen time has been unacceptable this past month. It is time to change that. Go on walks, reconnect with the people around you and your family. Not everything in your life should be centered around your screen.

Aquarius Aquarius Aquarius

It is time to forget all you know about responsible financial decisions and invest all of your money into crypto. You are only young once and there will never be a chance to absolutely ruin your future quite like now.

Aries Aries Aries

It has been a tough few months to start the academic year, right? Feeling absolutely locked out and sleeping in instead of going to morning lectures?

Don’t worry - it will get better, the stars are saying that this state of underperforming is over and November will be your most successful month in years.

It is time to uninstall LinkedIn. What is the actual value of this app? The stars say that for you the value is zero. Who actually cares about the fact that you gained valuable insights from a course or started an unpaid internship? No one.

You need to start thinking about the future more. Your actions lately have been myopic and do not reflect well on your ambitions. Be mindful of the large decisions you’ll have to make this month.

Cancer

Take some time for self reflection this month. You have been through a lot in the past months and now is the time to look back at it and understand where you stand mentally.

The stars already said Brat summer was over in the August issue, but now they say that it is time for Verka Serduchka autumn - crazy outfits and endless artistic expression await you this month.

Life can be a garden of shit sometimes, but it is important to remain calm during the storm. No one has more control over your life than you and it is important to understand that you are sometimes the one who digs your own grave and sometimes the one who lays the path to victory.

Libra Libra Libra

WHAT'S A TREND YOU'D

REBEKA designer

DANIELA designer

GUNTA writer

Playing tag in between lessons ARĪNA writer Tie-dye

DOMINIKA designer

ELZA gossip supervisor

ANNA writer "Social media seriously harms your mental health" phone cases

MADARA writer chockers

KRISTIĀNA writer

editing instagram photos with Retrica app

ANNA writer

OSKARS writer

RENĀRS writer

Barselona winning champions league fidget spinners

TIMURS designer

PAULA designer

ZLATA designer

PATRĪCIJA designer

pink button flip phones

Pliz bring back geocaching!

MARTA writer & designer

ILZE writer & designer

Alise writer & designer