The Insider August 2025 by The Insider

Special thanks to

Nicolas Gavoille, Xavier Landes, Dzintars Dreibergs, Raimonds Vilcāns, Roberts Kamols, Mareks Ulmanis, Moldir Anuarbek, Rūdolfs Miks Jordans, Elza Pilāne, Daniela Martinsone, Ilze Rasnača, Krišjānis Tamužs, Anna Gogebashvili, Anna Marta Ozare, Lotte Tonupart, Alikhan Daulet, Adomas Cvilikas, Ieva Grundmane, Paula Kovaļevska, Romija Roze, Roberts Stangainis, all the gossipers ;) and the beloved team of Insiders.

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

Welcome back, SSE Rigans! What a summer it s been - some of you tanned on office terraces, others swam through endless pools of data hopefully not drowning in Excel Either way, we hope you ’ ve recharged your batteries, because this academic year promises plenty of adventures, opportunities, and (yes) achievements

So, what’s in this issue? As tradition goes, August is dedicated to our confused, but dear Year 1s We see you - standing at the edge of a brand-new chapter, figuring out who you ll be That s why the theme this time is BLANK CANVAS: a fresh page waiting for whatever splashes, scribbles, or masterpieces you decide to create

What will I be reading, you ask? Inside, you’ll find survival tips for early lectures, a guide to Friday night hangouts, and a lookback at the Riga Contemporary Art Fair, organized by SSE Riga alumnibecause we are creative too For those curious about the Student Association, we ’ ve got a matchmaker quiz to pair you with your perfect committee or organization But for the rebels, an article on How to (Not) Get Into Committees

But that s not all Expect open and vulnerable confessions, alternative career paths, introductions to beloved professors, and even an exclusive playlist curated by them (yes, really) But if you want to prove you ’ re smarter than your coursemates, a crossword puzzle is waiting for you

Don’t forget to check out the memes, gossips and horoscopes, and if we intrigued you - good news THE INSIDER IS HIRING, so join the fun! We wish you a joyful academic year and may your canvas never be blank :)

xoxo, The Insider

T H E

E D I T O R I A L

A u g u s t

10 RIGA CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR

When art meets business, sparks fly This July, SSE Riga alumni and students stepped into the world of contemporary art at Riga Contemporary Art Fair, where 12,000 visitors and 85 artists turned Riga into a buzzing hub of ideas, creativity, and connection

18 LOOKBACK AT NCC

Well, well, well, the first party of the academic year What a camp right? Although we hope that all of you remember these moments, we have prepared a photo collage with the highlights of the event, just in case :)

24

At SSE Riga, excellence is the norm, but what if failing, suspensions, and silly LinkedIn posts are the real acts of courage? This is a shout-out from Madara to the loud about their regrets, because sometimes admitting you ’ ve stumbled is braver than pretending you never did

so why are young people lonelier than ever? From less sex and fewer relationships to chasing "the one " that may not exist On this

Šadris encourages talking honestly about what we really want

TIt is totally okay to be overwhelmed by the many options for student activities 8 committees and 8 organizations, but where do I belong? Don’t overthink it - fill out the quiz and find out where you belong!

They say that how you start the semester is how the semester goes So what’s a better way to warm up for the intense academic year than a fun game? Test your knowledge of SSE Riga and send your answers to insider@sseriga edu!

by Mor ten Hansen

T O M M Y K N O C K E R STHE

That is a weird title for a column But that is the title of the main book I read this summer, and it was a re-read of the ver y first book in English I chose to read myself (and wasn’t told to do so in school)

Originally, I chose it to strengthen my English This may sound strange to you who are subjected to English all over the place: at school, on YouTube, the internet in general, the smar tphone etc But the three latter ones did not exist then, back in the 1980s, when I star ted reading Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers And although my university education used textbooks in English, lectures were in Danish Yes, times have changed

A small digression: One of the benefits of retirement for me is that I don’t have to think about how to implement what is positive about AI in our education and at the same time tr y to keep out the negative effects AI will change the learning process, but I am sure (and cer tainly hope) that the ability to read will continue to be an asset I read horror stories in the Danish press about school kids who, even in their teens, still can’t read or understand a text (you are star ting to see why I am quite happy about retirement, right?)

But we do still have to be able to read to understand stuff and, besides that, it is also fun (OK, not always – I still haven’t met someone who used the word “fun” when characterizing his or her experience when reading about consumer surplus), so please keep up your reading skills At times, I have seen some of you actually reading a book during breaks in Soros – so nice!

But why did I re-read The Tommyknockers? Stephen King is known as the Master of Horror. Unfor tunately, his newer books are less about horror, which to me makes them quite horrible (!).

And that ’ s why I have star ted re-reading King’s The Dark Half where the bad guy, Alexis Machine, is a truly bad guy…. Delicious, in other words!

Have a great and hopefully not horrible autumn semester!

Looking Back :

Ar t and business have always been more connected than they seem It ’ s where ideas are exchanged, networks are built, and bold decisions take place

For that reason, from 10 July to 13 July Zane Čulkstēna ‘03 and the Alumni Association invited all ar t enthusiasts, SSE Riga students and alumni to Riga Contemporar y Ar t Fair, organized by KIM?

The ar t fair took place at Hanzas Perons and Zuzeum, and also featured a series of panel discussions on contemporar y ar t.

You might ask - what even is contemporar y ar t? It is ar t made by ar tists living today, which reflects the issues of our current world One famous example of contemporar y ar t is the ar tworks created by Banksy, for instance, “Girl With Balloon”.

Over the four days, the ar t fair gathered more than 12 thousand visitors, out of whom almost 20% were internationals, who had an oppor tunity to see works by over 85 ar tists from Tokyo, London, Milan, New York and other contemporar y ar t galleries all over the world.

Riga Contemporar y Ar t Fair also included a special programme dedicated to SSE Riga. On July 12, Zane Čulkstēna ‘03, founder of KIM?, led a private tour for our students and alumni through the ar t fair and gave insights about the ar tworks It was an exclusive oppor tunity to see the world of contemporar y ar t and even meet some well-known SSE Riga alumni.

After the event, Zane Čulkstēna ‘03 reflected:”It was the incredible team, bold gallerists, amazing ar tists, inspiring speakers, and dedicated par tners who believed in the idea of a Baltic-rooted, globally relevant contemporar y ar t platform and made it real.”

Cook with

Ingredient list

300–350 g cooked chicken (or any pre-cooked meat)

2 fresh tomatoes

1 red onion

20 g fresh coriander

1 tsp taco seasoning

Juice of 1 fresh lime

20 ml cooking oil

Fresh chili pepper to taste

1 pack of tortillas

CHICKEN TORTILLA RECIPE

Starting uni? Welcome to your new life – which means cooking for yourself (yes, instant noodles don’t count). Good food not only fuels your brain and body to exceed in studies but also makes life taste better. To make things easier, “Maxima Latvija” and Chef Lauris Aleksejevs bring you this simple tortilla recipe while also taking you on an exciting journey together with “Maxima Latvija” team, allowing to peek behind the curtain and see how a whole team or inspiring professionals work together to bring the best shopping and living experience closer to people.

How to make it

1. Shred or dice the cooked chicken.

2. Heat oil in a pan, add the chicken, taco seasoning, ﬁnely chopped tomatoes, red onion, chili pepper, and chopped coriander stems.

3. Once everything is nicely cooked, remove from heat and add lime juice, chopped coriander leaves, and some fresh chopped onion.

4. Warm the tortillas in a pan or oven until soft (don’t make them crispy yet).

5. Fill the warm tortillas with the chicken mixture and roll them up.

6. Pan-fry the rolled tortillas on both sides until they get a light, crispy crust.

Pro tip for students: is works with beef, or even veggie ﬁllings – so it’s the perfect go-to recipe for busy study days.

MAXIMA DEPARTMENTS, THAT MADE

THIS RECIPE POSSIBLE

Category management and purchasing department

Makes sure the right products end up in MAXIMA stores, so customers can always ﬁnd everything they need in one place — aligned with their needs and the latest trends, including local and high-quality items at a ordable prices.

Legal, security, quality and production departments

Ensures the food is safe, high quality, and meets all requirements – from farms and factories to shelves.

Corporate a airs department

Connects Maxima with the wider community, making sure you hear about cool ideas like sharing this recipe in your student magazine.

Marketing department

Turns great products and services into ideas and something you'll want to try — by using market research to understand what really resonates with customers and ﬁnding the best approach to reach their hearts, for example, by pairing tasty recipes with student life tips.

Real estate development and construction department

Makes sure there are modern, convenient Maxima stores near you, so you’re never far from fresh tortilla ingredients.

Supply Chain department

e behind-the-scenes mastermind making sure ingredients travel quickly and safely from suppliers to store shelves.

Trade department

Keeps all Maxima stores running smoothly so your grocery shopping is quick, easy, and stress-free.

Finance department

Keeps the numbers in check, so prices stay student-budget-friendly. far from fresh tortilla ingredients.

IT department

Makes sure Maxima’s tech – from self-checkouts to app – works perfectly, so your shopping is fast and hassle-free.

Human Resources department

Finds and supports the friendly people who help you in Maxima stores every day.

FLYING TAXFREE:

On July 27, EU President von der Leyen and US President Trump negotiated a trade deal that, among other things, set the US tariff on EU expor ts at 15% While the agreement remains subject to change and isn’t legally binding, exper ts almost unanimously view it as a capitulation to the EU; French Prime Minister Bayrou called it “resigning to submission,” and Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán commented that “Donald Trump ate von der Leyen for breakfast ” Interestingly, one of the few tariff exemptions covers aerospace – aircraft and their par ts – and this was heavily lobbied for by Airbus and Boeing, whose rivalr y once sparked one of the largest corporate trade disputes This raises the question: how and why this deal was struck, and what can other industries learn from it?

A quick over view – the aerospace industr y has one of the most famous duopolies: Airbus, a joint venture between France, Germany and Spain, and Boeing – a historic American conglomerate And together they control more than 95% of the commercial aircraft market – with a roughly 50 to 45 split While currently Boeing, relative to Airbus, is facing much more difficulties, given that they are losing money and facing major labor strikes, the market cap and revenue of Boeing is still larger than Airbus, largely propped up by defense contracts Never theless, they fight for the same market and usually are bitter rivals

In 1992, as Airbus star ted to become a larger player, the US and the EU signed a bilateral agreement that capped the total subsidies each government could provide to its businesses and fixed a zero-tariff regime This continued until 2004, when the US and the EU (prompted by the companies) on the exact same date launched complaints with the World Trade Organization This launched an epic, decades-long corporate battle, with billions spent on administrative and legal costs.

TARIFFS

Article by Rūdis Freipičs Design by Elīna Bībere

The first punch was to the EU – WTO ruled that the EU had actually implemented illegal subsidies, and was forced to restructure financing for some projects. But while this was under appeal, the WTO ruled that tax breaks for Boeing were also illegal. Altogether, this cost billions for both companies in lost subsidies. But they were not done In 2019, finally, after many appeals, the WTO found that the EU had violated even more provisions of the agreement and allowed the US to levy a $7.5 billion tariff. The only problem – they did not want to impose a ver y high tariff on the EU because many American airlines use planes and par ts from EU companies, so they came up with a clever solution: they put a 25 % tariff on French wine, Italian cheeses, and Scottish whiskey. This “holding of hostages” escalated when the EU was finally allowed to levy a $4.1 billion tariff and held bourbon, peanut butter, motorcycles, and many other items hostage This madness finally ended in 2021, when both par ties agreed to “release the hostages” and temporarily suspend most of the tariffs. This was again mainly due to the fact that the US buys so many aircraft par ts and related equipment from the Europeans, that it simply did not make economic sense to put up these tariffs, as it also hur ts them The same justification was made when, in 2025, both companies lobbied to keep and fix the zero-tariff regime.

While the stor y is interesting, there is a deeper lesson beyond simply “free trade is good.” In the past, a company like Boeing would have celebrated seeing its main rival punished without any real consequences However, this long dispute and the resulting agreement reveal that, over time, American firms also bear the cost Obviously, some sectors, such as the US car industr y, have asked for more tariffs, but because supply chains are closely inter twined and production processes so complex, the dangers of tariffs often outweigh their benefits –especially in advanced manufacturing fields like semiconductors, even when there is no immediate retaliation As negotiations continue, we may see companies forming cross-border par tnerships and lobbying their governments to establish a permanent zero-tariff framework. This marks a shift from the old protectionist mindset and must be taken into account for future trade policy by both the EU and the US.

Article by Ralf Aron Rebane Design by Elīna Bībere

In the span of a year, nuclear has gone from an overlooked corner of the US energy mix to one of the market ’ s hottest stories. Looking at the market, plenty of US-listed companies tied to nuclear, uranium, or reactor tech have had a huge run this year The Global X Uranium ETF (URA) is up about 49% year-to-date, and individual names have doubled or even tripled YTD. But what ’ s driving the rally? It really comes down to two big drivers: AI infrastructure and national security.

THE PHENOMENAL DATA CENTERS AND AI NUCLEAR SECTOR

AI runs on massive data centers that need round-the-clock power That demand is already big and climbing fast. Conser vative outlooks show global data-center electricity use roughly doubling by 2030, with AI as the primar y driver One of the best ways to meet this demand is with nuclear energy. It provides reliable, 24/7 baseload power with extremely low carbon emissions. Unlike solar or wind, nuclear doesn’t rely on weather conditions and offers long-term price stability.

Modern advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), though not yet operational in the US, are in development and could eventually be built near data centers to provide scalable, stable power They can range from tens to hundreds of megawatts and help meet AI’s energy appetite Big Tech is already buying into this future. Microsoft signed a fusion power deal with Helion, Bill Gates’ TerraPower is developing next-gen reactors in Wyoming, and Google has par tnered with Kairos Power on advanced nuclear projects. These companies are signing contracts for reactors not yet operational, just to lock in future energy.

Private capital has caught on too A lot of money is flowing into US nuclear businesses Anticipating future demand, investors have bid nuclear stocks up significantly. Most of the recent gains haven’t come from increased earnings, but from valuation multiples expanding across the board In shor t: stock prices have doubled while profits haven’t, a classic sign of speculative momentum

RETURNS OF THE U.S.

The US has essentially neglected nuclear energy since the Cold War While the domestic industr y stagnated, Russia and China steadily built up their capabilities, both in energy and militar y applications. It ’ s now at the point where the US relies heavily on allies and Russia for much of its nuclear fuel cycle. Today, Russia and China supply roughly 60% of the world’s enriched uranium, with Russia providing about 45% and China around 15% (WNA) Outside of small pilot HALEU runs by Centrus Energy, there’s no fully US-owned commercial-scale enrichment (HALEU, or HighAssay Low-Enriched Uranium, which is a nextgeneration reactor fuel enriched to between 5% and 20% uranium-235, needed for many advanced reactors including SMRs). There’s also Urenco USA, which operates in New Mexico, but is owned by the Dutch, UK, and German governments

There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though. The US has finally realized it can’t depend on adversaries for critical energy infrastructure and is star ting to rebuild its domestic nuclear fuel capabilities Programs like the Depar tment of Energy's HALEU initiative and public-private par tnerships are slowly getting off the ground. This shift is also being reflected in the stock market, with the biggest gainers being fuel-cycle specialists: companies that enrich uranium, fabricate fuel, or handle nuclear supply chains

SO IS THE SECTOR OVERPRICED, OR IS THERE MORE ROOM TO GROW?

That ’s the million-dollar question.

Valuations today are high by almost any metric Most stocks in space are trading at steep multiples relative to their current earnings. But considering that the AI boom is still in its early stages, and the US nuclear infrastructure remains largely underdeveloped, there’s a solid argument for longer-term upside In the near term, expect volatility These are hypedriven, policy-sensitive names with limited operating revenue. But if nuclear gains real deployment momentum, especially through SMRs or government contracts, today’s valuations end up being justified. Nuclear ’ s comeback isn’t just about climate, it ’ s about powering AI and securing America’s energy independence The rally might pause, but the shift in how the sector is viewed is permanent.

NEWCOMERS

CAMP 2025

XAVIER LANDES

ENDEARING MEMORIES AND STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

I remeber Xavier once mentioning that he likes to get a glass of wine at Tallinas Kvartāls

Even though its harsh to understand his accent, its his passion for the subject that keeps you wide awake during his lectures

Him saying “uzveselību”

You can tell, Xavier genuinely enjoys teaching

“Basically” -- Xavier

Me quoting Xavier on ASCT exam paper. He commented “I have never said that”

Lithuania, cʼest top in the Baltics

During one of lectures, I counted that he said “basically” about 51 times

I learned the French accent “Remember to take notes”

Article by Kristiāna Labanovska Design by Elīna Bībere

404 BRAIN NOT FOUND.

AT TENDING 8 A.M. LECTURES LIKE A PRO.

CTURES

Let ’ s be real, waking up early gets the best of us - even the productive morning people look a little tired after a full week of 8:15 am lectures. But while we are using most of the Soros auditorium’s capacity, the Insider is here to help with a cheat code for sur viving early mornings.

Me, a failure

My studies are not paralleled by my promising star tup. Professors don’t know me by name for being inquisitive during lectures or selflessly contributing as a TA. After my internship, my accomplishments were not celebrated on my company ’ s LinkedIn Even worse, I am going on suspension for failing to meet the academic requirements. The worst nightmare of SSE Riga. I love it!

After the first epic humbling experience in high school, I began to let the academic dream a bit looser. Where my ego once thrived on intellect and achievement, I unconsciously redirected it towards more social pursuits. Evident as day, SSE Riga is one of, if not the per fect mix of ambition and a general tendency to be kind, cool, and fun. However, sometimes life gets in the way (for justifiable reasons or not) and it returns to being a question of trade-offs.

You look to your left and right: the same people studying in the lobby until eleven p m Ever y Single Day All of them have their personal lives filled with ups and downs, but they treat their studies with admirable persistence. And what a loser am I, to skip an exam because I am in a foggy par t of my life… What kind of privileged “snowflake” excuse is that? But it ’ s here, and it ’ s real.

Ar ticle and design by Madara Slitke

I think we often forget that we see only what is allowed to be seen. In the majority of cases, it ’ s the exaggerated wins, and you think you ’ re aware, yet it creeps up on you at your worst, a painful splash of envy and sorrow. So today I’d like to give a shout-out to all the smar t, fun people who proudly state their losses! Shout-out to the people who openly hate their internships Shoutout to those crafting silly LinkedIn posts—you hold a special, dear place in my hear t Shout-out to those who pick on each unjustifiably inwoven tendency in SSE Riga and break it down into bits that can be challenged.

I believe at SSE Riga, it has become almost the norm to step up at each oppor tunity, to lead, to speak in front of large crowds, to build par tnerships with large corporations But since we are all, to some extent, doing all that, even the scar y path taken together becomes average. And then the opposite becomes the exception, perhaps even a sign of braver y - to be openly not catching up, to fail, to regret.

It ’ s a bit unfor tunate that I have never ever heard of somebody going on suspension without a grand reason. It ’ s always something that makes you nod and say, “Oh yeah… that makes sense. ” And while it is often truly the case, that people experience unfor tunate circumstances which freeze their ability to study, sometimes you just get tangled in your ego, you make poor decisions, you forget why you did it in the first place, or perhaps something or someone distracts you blindly. Arguably foolish reasons to underper form, but it happens, and perhaps for the better.

I myself am incredibly hesitant to admit that I was simply lazy. Even at this exact moment, I actively refuse to accept that laziness may thrive in me with no valid precondition. But it happened. I want to believe it simply had to, and now I must swallow my shame and give it another, much more fruitful, go.

I remember all the brilliant people who admitted their failures, their wor thless jobs, or the doubts that lingered And I think of how they made it so much easier for me not to get tangled up in unproductive guilt, because I felt genuine respect towards them and for that I am deeply grateful.

All in all: keep rocking on, do your studies, but bring along some humility. We may be in the same space, pursuing the same knowledge, but each of us has an utterly unique outcome we wish to take away at the end of it all, and none of them are necessarily better than the other.

My greatest thanks again for all the failures heard and seen!

INSIDER SPECIAL with Dzintars Dreibergs

I am Dzintars Dreibergs, and I graduated in 2002. I came from Secondary School No. 64 in Riga, and I passed Finance on my first attempt.

THE INSIDER

In-between your last Insider interview and right now, you’ve directed Blizzard of Souls (original title “Dvēseļu Putenis”) and now the upcoming Escape Net (original title “Tīklā. TTT Leģendas Dzimšana”) film. What’s the biggest shift for you – personally or professionally – since that first conversation?

DZINTARS

Blizzard of Souls was my debut full-length fiction film, and it had a tremendous impact – fi rst and foremost – on my own belief in myself. I felt a very strong responsibility to tell such an important story for Latvia, for the riflemen who fought for our independence and were never recognized during Soviet times. If the film had turned out to be a flop, something unnecessary for the audience, or if I had felt that my lack of skill betrayed the cause, I would not have continued as a filmmaker. M aking a film is a very lengthy process – it takes at least six years, with no guarantee of being paid, since everything depends heavily on viewership. But even beyond the risk, the main reason is this: I simply could not allow myself to spoil another important subject. Without enough self-confidence, I would not dare to take on the responsibility of another film. However, the film did well – it broke all national viewership records, was shown in more than 50 countries, and was even dubbed into over a dozen languages. It helped many people realize our roots and understand that we do not come from nowhere.

The main shift for me was gaining trust in myself – trust that with hard work I can tell a story. I am currently finishing my second film, which will be in cinem as this November, and I constantly remind myself that effort, combined with the right friends and a bit of luck, can bring important stories to life.

Escape Net (original title Tīklā. TTT Leģendas Dzimšana) tells the story of the first years of the occupation, when basketball player Dzidra Kamiševa screwed the USSR by playing basketball. She gave hope to all of Latvia and was part of TTT, the most successful team in the history of women’s basketball. I hope it will be an inspiring story during the celebration of our Independence Day. One of the main roles in the film is played by Rūdolfs Kārlis Pastors, a 2025 graduate of SSE Riga.

THE INSIDER

Take us back to your days at SSE Riga. What was student life at SSE Riga like for you? Any favorite SA events or wild memories from those days?

DZINTARS

Lots of crazy stuff happened… Once we organized a performance of Bohemian Rhapsody for the full Soros auditorium, where I directed and even sang – despite having absolutely no singing voice I also organized a course on Harmony. At the time, s tudents could sign up for courses they wanted, and if enough signatures were gathered, the school allowed us to run them – sometimes even giving a bit of funding. For some reason, they actually gave me funds to teach Harmony. We ended up learning how to give massages, visiting an erotic museum, and inviting a feng shui master many things that felt quite funny.

On a more serious note, in the beginning, I was sure I didn’t belong at SSE and that everyone else was much smarter. My English was poor, and when we had Psychology lectures that mentioned “modules”, I thought they were talking about spaceship modules from the Civilization game. So in my first year, I studied like crazy. I was afraid of failing even a single subject, since it would have been difficult t o catch up. Luckily, I managed not to fail, and that definitely helped build the confidence I needed for the road ahead.

How did your journey take you from business and economics into the film industry? Was it a conscious decision or something that evolved over time?

INSIDER DZINTARS

Both. I never even thought that films could be a profession, so there were 0 conscious decisions after school to go there, however, unconsciously, I was making small videos for my friends and for myself. Always tried to find a new challenge in those. After SSE Riga, I was auditing at PWC, which was an amazing place to work – I met my producer there, my good friend Meiksans – now a theater director. They still buy out all of the auditorium to come and see my movie – an amazing place where the auditor’s job is combined with wit and fun. But I was sure that I needed something more creative, so after the audit I went to marketing. Looking back, it was a success with all we accomplished there, but I was fired along with all the board members, and if it was not for that earthquake, who knows how much more ti me I would need to go to the cinema.

THE INSIDER DZINTARS

Your work often focuses on key historical or cultural moments – is this an intentional direction, and what impact do you hope these stories have on audiences in Latvia and beyond?

There is no future without a past – as the saying goes I used to be a bit shy about it, but now I can say with confidence, that “Yes, I want to tell historical stories about Latvia”. Our history is so rich, full of heroes and strong characters, who can become role models for the whole world. Yet, so many of those historical pages have been hidden from us because of th e occupation and its consequences

THE INSIDER

DZINTARS

It is very difficult to move forward in life if you don’t confront your demons, and the impact of history on each one of us is immense. Films allow us to relive the moment, to open conversations about difficult but important topics that concern all of us. Once you feel this unresolved fear, it becomes impossible to remain silent

If you had to take another route, somethi ng that is not filmrelated, what would it be?

I believe I am very strong in sales and marketing. However, once you’ve experienced entrepreneurship, it’s hard to return to a salaried job. It feels strange to admit, because stability, social security, and a calmer life are things I often crave after the long hours and constantly changing environment – but even so, going back would be difficult . At least for now.

The Latvian film industry has evolved a lot since your early days. What opportunities and challenges do new filmmakers face today, compared to when you were starting out?

DZINTARS

We have one main challenge – a small market that does not allow films to break even, and a very limited understanding of the impact culture has on society. It is hard to imagine that people will be kind to one another, pay taxes, invest, or help those in need if there is no culture reminding us of these values. It is easy to see why the best organizations in the world have an “organizational culture,” yet when it comes to the state, we often forget this.

We have many talented filmmakers, but for all of them this profession must first and foremost be a passion, since, financially, it is very challenging compared to other career paths. Filmmaking requires dealing with thousands of contract employees, complex logistics, financial planning, building sets, and much more – all of which demand a lot, but give back mainly in the form of “auseklītis pierē” (an i dealist to the core)

THE INSIDER

Finally, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to SSE Riga students now, especially those torn between a ‘safe’ career and chasing something creative?

DZINTARS

RESPONSIBILITY. Guys, you are special. If you are in this school, you are the elite of the Baltics. Be humble and understand that only a small part of this is your own achievement so far. Some of you may have the genes to grasp math, business, or overall trends faster, or simply have the power of dedication – and you are blessed with that.

Don’t be the graduates who fail to create something new for your country. Don’t be the one who takes what your homeland has given you and then just work somewhere else without giving back to the place you came from. You are the Spider-Man of your nation – and with the powers you’ve been gi ven, often from birth, comes a responsibility much greater than for those who were not as lucky as you.

For those who seek creativity – just go for it. It is a path of incredible depth and color.

FOOL’S G LD

Remember ably pretty happ happie you happen unexpected deck, but w something s the highest card in the deck. The Queen beats the Jack, the King outranks the Queen, and the Ace can bring down the King. But the Joker, the wild card with no suit, no rank, beats them all.

The card is a combination of opposites; it carries within both light and darkness, truth and deception, wisdom and foolishness. The Joker, unlike the King or Queen - who are bound by rank, suit, and order - belongs to no one, and to ever yone at the same time, as it can replace any card in the deck. Free from the rules that define the other cards, the Joker sees the world not through status or control, but with curiosity and honesty. This freedom gives this character a clearer, more open perspective, and perhaps the most honest of all. There are plenty of examples of these so-called jokers, and you yourselves, maybe without even realizing it, have seen many of them. One such example is none other than the most notoriously well-known pirate:

Jack Sparrow. Sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow.

He’s a rare kind of Caribbean adventurer: a charming antihero who usually tries to cause trouble but somehow always ends up doing the right thing. Jack disrupts plans, breaks rules, and stands as living proof that true freedom, in actions, thoughts, and desires, is far more valuable than precious material things.

‘NOT ALL TREASURE IS SILVER AND GOLD’

- quite an unexpected confession from a pirate. Rum, sea, and freedom, and especially freedom, that’s the treasure he truly seeks. Jack is a perfect example of a joker when he uses humor and playful silliness as a tool to confuse and distract others. He knows his seemingly f oolish tactics annoy people. But they also disarm opponents by throwing them off balance and saying something that leaves them vulnerable, distracting them from the game, even for a second. So yes, the moment you notice a Joker card in your hand, that’s when you know luck’s on your side. It might just be one of the moments you feel most present, aware, and engaged in the game.

As the old saying goes, luck often favors the foolish. It’s no coincidence that the Joker closely mirrors the Fool’s card from the Tarot, cards that are often used by fortune-tellers and magicians. Each card has different meanings and can be read in many ways. Among them, the Fool holds a unique place. Don’t let the name fool you, though: it’s far from insignificant; in fact, it’s the only card without a number. Its value is zero.

A SYMBOL OF INFINITE POTENTIAL AND A FRESH START, FREE FROM ALL THE RULES THE OTHER CARDS FOLLOW.

It’s nearly impossible and unnecessar y to live in society without following at least some of its rules. However, sometimes society is overloaded with excessive standards, which supposedly distinguish a "normal" person from someone we call a “fool.” The most basic example is a smiling person. Have you ever tried walking down the street and smiling at strangers? Just wait until your Year 2 Anthropology lecture, where you get to take that “social experiment” right outdoors. Most people will give you weird looks, some will be confused, and many will just ignore you. Only a few, including your coursemates in the same situation, might smile back.

Which brings us back to the question:

DOES LUCK TRULY FAVOR THE FOOLISH?

Or perhaps those we call fools aren’t fools at all? And they’re simply the ones who refuse to build fake walls around their goals and limit themselves to unwritten expectations made by society. The card is called the Fool, yes - but foolishness is just the flip side of wisdom. In fact, the main secret of the card is that the face of the person depicted on it reflects belief in a dream. And that is exactly the gold of ever y fool - they don’t know fear and step in where the “smart” ones wouldn’t dare set foot. And while others get stuck in doubt, life often opens doors for them that some don’t even notice, or are too hesitant to step through.

THE INSIDER FOR

— SEBASTIAN VETTEL

N T O

I

E T

H O W T O N O T G

Written by Daniels Dzirnieks

I T T E E S

M M

C

Committees. Getting into one is surprisingly easy if you seem competent, enthusiastic, and available. In those brief 15 minutes you get to present yourself during an inter view, you have to be able to sell yourself well enough to be picked over the rest.

But here’s the thing, not ever yone wants to be selected. So, instead of offering you tips on how to impress and succeed, I’m going to walk you through exactly what not to do, because even the most polished inter view can be derailed by one nice blunder.

Nepotism, favoritism, networking, whatever you want to call it, it’s real, and it works. If you’re already friends with people in the committee, you’ve got a massive head start. So, if your goal is not to get in, then do not talk to anyone beforehand. Avoid social events, don’t network, and definitely don’t seem interested in joining. Furthermore, if you're an international student, even better, the odds of knowing someone inside are lower, so use that to your advantage.

If you even end up attending the inter view, take absolutely nothing seriously. Sounds pretty straightfor ward, answer all the questions like you don’t want to be there, perhaps ignore a few and so on A little confusion goes a long way Committees love motivated people, so, to steer clear, never show too much interest in anything. And a big thing that I think is important for this is that you need to look like you ’ re actually incompetent just make others believe you wouldn’t be the best fit. Keep your energy flat, your answers vague, and your eyes on the door.

If you do get accepted onto a committee, you can always deny the position, and perhaps, refer someone else. Remember that you can always support the team from the sidelines, and that there’s an art to dodging these responsibility-laden groups, which can sometimes be a pretty impressive feat

“NEPOTISM, FAVORITISM, NETWORKING, R YOU WANT TO CALL IT, IT’S RE AL,

D IT WORKS.”

In the case of tr ying to not get into organizations, the idea is the exact same, so take this and perhaps don’t do any of this or do, up to you Just know that this isn’t to discourage you from joining any committees or organizations, as they are one of the best parts of this educational institution, and offer pretty cool experiences

NICOLAS GAVOILLE

ENDEARING MEMORIES AND STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

One time Nicolas mentioned sigma during the lecture, and he looked so done with our generation when we all laughed

His daily songs for each topic - a great start for the harsh lecture ahead

Him bragging about his bad handwriting

“Another day, another song!”

“I do not have the worst French accent in SSE Riga” -- Nicolas I remeber him teaching matrix and not understanding why everyone is laughing when he says minor

When

you learn about the saddle point, you wonʼt forget it — he literally puts a real saddle on the graph slide, and youʼll never unsee it.

I remember him saying GRAPHICALLY all the time

Perhaps the loudest room is exactly where you would feel most alone. In many aspects, life has never been better for the average young person than in the 2020s. Child mortality rates have steadily fallen over the last decades, leading to a higher likelihood that you will be alive in the first place. In 2024, 9 in 10 young people (aged 16-19) in the EU reported being in good or very good health, which points to a general sense of safety and wellbeing regarding your own health. Educational attainment globally has improved significantly, with more young people completing secondary and tertiary education than ever before, showing that getting educated, even in a deeply flawed education system, is becoming more realistic. I could point to a myriad of other reasons why life is objectively easier and better for the median young person than it was 20, 30 or even 50 years ago.

What do we do about loneliness?

Yet, there is a handful of data that sticks out to me in a way that I find rather concerning. Simply put, there is currently a loneliness crisis among young people Starting with the fact that young people are now having less sex. Researchers argue that the decline in sexual activity among millennials and Gen Z is due to factors such as advances in technology, demanding academic obligations, and a generally negative attitude towards things like one-night stands. These factors have led younger generations to have less sex and fewer partners than their parents and grandparents. Although the social isolation and concerns about disease transmission during the Covid contributed to this shift, studies indicate that the trend toward postponing or avoiding sex altogether actually began well before the pandemic.

I would argue that sex is a pretty cool thing that every adult should engage in at a comfortable frequency and I do believe that the larger part of society would agree with me. This begs the question - if the large majority of us want to experience intimacy and sexual closeness, why do we do it so little? I think there are plenty of reasons for this. Firstly, I feel like the internet as a whole has warped our perception of love, closeness and intimacy in a way that I doubt is correctable. Pornography and other sexual content are accessible at the tap of a few buttons, which may teach a lot of people about sex, but definitely not in a healthy way. The way sex, especially a woman ’ s role in it, is portrayed in pornography is very unrealistic, unhealthy and frankly degrading. At this point, so much unlearning has to be done that, even if a person realizes it, it may seem like too tall of a task.

Secondly, sexuality and being sexual is not in any way shape or form a bad thing, but the way sex is talked about on social media is not entirely healthy. Not only does this create unrealistic expectations of sex, but it also creates a negative connotation around thinking about sex and experiencing it. The fact that information spreads so quickly these days means that engaging in sexual activities may lead to way more unforeseen negative results, way past the accidental conception of a child or contraction of an STD. The potential to be looked at differently, judged or even humiliated for expressing yourself sexually is amplified by how easy it is to reach a large crowd of people through social media. This leads to people feeling unsafe when talking about sex and their sexuality and being more reluctant to do so.

Thirdly, perhaps controversially, I think this is also due to the declining rates of alcohol and drug use among young people. Obviously, alcohol and drugs are inherently negative things that f*** up your life, if not kept in check. I also recognize that it is so easy to go overboard with the consumption of both of these, and they have a very large tendency to have a very destructive influence on a person ’ s life. I do not endorse excessive use of drugs or alcohol in any shape or form, rather my aim is to point to how much easier it is to approach someone you find attractive when under the influence. It may be a good thing that people are having less sex while being drunk or high, given the fact that an unplanned pregnancy is far more likely in that case. However, I encourage the reader to think of how many times you have heard of people that have been married or dating for years having met each other at a bar or party. Simply put, if a healthy check and balance system exists, and you are not doing it to run away from something that haunts you, getting a little drunk, kissing and perhaps having sex with someone you find extraordinarily attractive is pretty f****** awesome. They call it liquid courage for a reason.

TGIF 101: TGIF 101: TGIF 101:

R E W I N D S P O T S FRIDAY NIGHT AR SSE RIGA AR SSE RIGA AR SSE RIGA

Study hard, par ty hard is SSE Riga motto for a reason, but not always this reputation comes from the official events. You learn that not long into the academic year when you receive the classic “Anyone in Tallinas kvar tāls?” message on a Sunday. So here are the best spots around SSE Riga for moments when you feel like going out with your newly-met coursemates

Article by Kristiāna Labanovska

Design by Elīna Bībere

Star ting off strong with one of the most beloved spots of SSE Rigans. Möku bar is famously known for its bingo nights, which are a great way to rewind after a long school week But what makes this bar special is the ability to bond with Estonians, as this is an Estonian bar with locations in Tallinn, Tar tu, and, of course, Riga

Dare I say, the possibly cheapest bar out there Piga offers a menu on a student budget and is great even for teambuildings (fun fact: the previous Insider teambuilding was hosted there). You can also order 1,8L jugs to share with a bigger group of friends, therefore, Y1s, grab your freshly met coursemates for a nice little get-together.

If your school year resolution was to secure that Alumni scholarship, be familiar with this alumni-owned bar Bar XIII offers an exclusive experience of a unique atmosphere and memorable cocktails with high-quality ingredients In case you feel over whelmed by the prices, you can always hope that there will be another Cocktails with Alumni event just before your graduation celebration.

ALBERTA

PĪPES

Little birdie told me this spot is the root of a cer tain tradition, and you ’ re in luck today, because we are not gatekeeping. Some students keep a post-exam ritual of buying a beer or glass of wine in Alber ta Pīpes This spot has vintage interior design and is located just around the corner of SSER, so you don’t have to skip a celebration even if you ’ re in a rush.

KIMMEL KVARTĀLS

Even the experienced par ty animals might be surprised by what this location has to offer Although it peaks in the summer time with the frequent concer ts and multiple terraces, it ’ s a great place to visit when in need of change The menu consists of delicious snacks and unique both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

TALLINAS KVARTĀLS

What an absolute classic There is not a single local that does not know about this golden spot with great music, open people and per fect terrace for a warm evening. In fact, on a Friday night, you might meet more coursemates there than in the lectures that day It is impor tant to remember that this location works with a deposit cup system, so prepare that your first beverage of the night will cost 2 euros more and if you don’t want to overpay again, take care of that chip all night long

555

Attention exchange students, because this is the real sightseeing object to visit It is a national treasure of student-friendly hangout spots. Ezītis Miglā is truly made for any occasion - lunch, post-exam celebration or a pitstop on a night out From their famous potato snacks to Mendeļējeva cocktails, this location also offers a seasonal menu, and has a student discount of 15% with Student ID Although it is scattered with plenty of locations all around Riga and outside, the closest one to the SSE Riga building is in Baznīcas Street 14 E Z Ī T I S M I G L Ā

THIS PLACE DOESN’ T NEED A NAME

Right across the street from Alber ta Pīpes, TPDNAN is a cafe famously known for its wide breakfast offerings. However, their hidden gem is Happy Hours. They are more like happy weeks, and the menu goes beyond the usual Cuba Libres or Screwdrivers This location offers Negroni Sundays, and happy hours are organized from Monday to Saturday, 4PM to 9PM.

SHADES by the presidential couple 5 OF SSE RIGA

SHADE OF HEAR THE RARE BUT PASSIONATE A THAT MAKES T FUN AND ENJO

SHADE OF PRESTIGE – “NAME-DROPPING LIKE A PRO” THAT SUBTLE FLEX WHEN YOU CASUALLY MENTION “OUR ALUMNI WHO NOW WORK AT…” DURING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE SSE RIGA

SHADE OF SERIOUSNESS –“ THE LOCKWHEN YOU KNOW THE EXACT TIME AND P GET DOWN TO BUSINESS, EVEN WHEN Y PLAYING AROUND

SHADE OF STRATEGY –“ THE MULTITASKING CHAMELEON” PERFECTING THE ART OF DOING MULTIPLE TASKS AT THE SAME TIME AND NEVER MAKING IT OBVIOUS. LIKE HAVING A FULL WEEK OF LECTURES AND STILL MANAGING TO SUBMIT THE PERFECT REPORT AT THE SAME TIME.

SHADE OF OPTIMISM – “POST-EXAM AMNESIA” PROMISING YOURSELF YOU’LL “START EARLIER NEXT TIME”… KNOWING FULL WELL YOU WON’ T

Attend as many SSE Riga Student Association–organized events as possible

Show up on time for events, meetings, and par ties. (Yes, especially par ties )

Network with compassion because connections here can last a lifetime, so make them genuine

RULES OF THE SSE RIGA

STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Suppor t fellow students, whether they’re competing, per forming, or just ner vously presenting in class

Be the energy, not just the audience, as ever y par ticipant makes events more memorable.

Respect ever y tradition, even if you don’t fully understand it yet. (You will, eventually.)

Whether in competitions, collaborations, or casual conversations outside campus, remember to represent SSE Riga well.

Help keep the spirit alive contribute ideas, volunteer, or just hype up the next big thing

FIND YOUR PERFECT MATCH!

DID YOU HAVE AN EMO PHASE IN 7TH GRADE?

YOU'RE MENTIONED IN THE GOSSPIS FOR:

YOUR ADVENTURES UNDER THE INFLUENCE

YOU THINK YOU CAN SURVIVE SA FOR LONGER THAN 12 MONTHS?

WERE YOU BORN NONCHALANT?

DID YOU BRING STRAY CATS AND DOGS HOME IN YOUR CHILDHOOD?

YOU RAN OUT OF MONEY ON A NIGHT OUT. WHAT DO YOU DO?

NETWORK YOUR WAY TO A RANDOM FRIEND GROUP AND “BORROW ” THEIR DRINK

DAYS OF OPPORTUNITIES

PICK A DRINK: WHISKY SOUR

SECRETLY TRANSFER MONEY FROM YOUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT

Investment in your drinkingcareer?

IFUND

DID YOU WATCH DIY VIDEOS IN 2015?

I prefer streams

DO YOU TEND TO LEAVE PEOPLE ON READ? no

THEY LEAVE ME GUILTY yes

SPORTS COM You definitely tried to bleachdsomething, idn'tyou?

DO YOU HAVE A VISION?

VERDE BUSINESS DISTRICT

PICK A LOCATION

EDUCATION COM yes no INFORMATION COM WOULD YOU RUN 10K TO NARVESEN?

ALUMNI COM

IT COM Really? You wouldn’t even run to class

WHICH RELATIONSHIP TROPE ARE YOU?

FORCED PROXIMITY

EVENT COM

ENEMIES TO LOVERS MARKETING COM

SOROS

TALLINK SHIP

BUSINESS COM

Let me guess first row?

GOT YOUR MATCH, BUT CONFUSED WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? We get it, black ducky or je joue might RAISE some further questions therefore, ALL THE committees and organizations of sse riga have prepared a little sneak peEk into their DAILY life and even some INSIGHTS on becoming their ideal associate :) FIND IT IN PAGES 48 -51 !

Ever thought of rug-pulling a memecoin or creating an AI scam caller? Well, perhaps you’ll find similarly minded people here on the IT Committee But for real, we ’ re looking for people dabbling in tech No need to be a geek If you have a brain and think tech is sor t of cool, we’ll find a spot for you To give a quick insight into our work, it ranges from creating online ticket sales to organizing game nights But what exactly we do is a bit of a myster y, so you’ll have to apply and find out. I T C O M M I T T E E

Educom is the committee that connects students with the administration and lecturers. We gather course feedback the good, the bad, and the “please fix this ASAP” and share it straight with the lecturers Yep, you’ll need a bit of courage (it ’ s not always easy!), and being responsible is a must deadlines don’t wait But if you're into honest convos, teamwork, and making things better behind the scenes, Educom might just be your thing Bonus: you’ll know the academic gossip before anyone else

The Alumni Committee is the committee of networking Not only do we know all 3364 alumni, but as a par t of our day-to-day work, we also reconnect graduates, organize events, send thousands of emails, manage our own social media, fundraise for scholarships and even have our own Insider. But our ideal associate? Someone with a good memor y for names who knows that nothing is impossible. And remember! Networking is not a natural talent, it is a skill that can be learned.

At BusCom, when life gives us lemons, we don’t just make lemonade - we build a whole factor y We turn challenges into bold oppor tunities by thinking bigger and acting braver

The ones who thrive here? They are hungr y for life. The kind who would dare to ask for a steak in a vegetarian restaurant - slightly mad, but driven by the belief that more is always possible.

Each cold call puts you behind the wheel in stormy seas. You’re the captain. The thrill, the uncer tainty are not obstacles, they are your fuel. And ultimately, it ’ s your appetite for risk that determines how far you go.

Eventcom makes your dream par ties come to life We make sure that all events actually happen, that decorations stand out for both sober and drunk people, and yet we don’t forget to par ty ourselves! The ideal associate? Someone who, without hesitation, is ready to propose and make into reality their craziest ideas, adding a par t of their personality to each par ty while, of course, enjoying it themselves :) So, join us for another year of par ties!

This is the place where you will learn marketing essentials for life Ever ything from the best ways to take a picture for your dating profile and how to write a good Instagram caption, and up to such precious skills like how to sell anything. You’ll sharpen your creative eye, learn to communicate ideas that stick, and understand what truly grabs attention. These skills go beyond marketing, and they will help you to pitch, persuade, and present yourself with confidence in ever yday life.

At Spor tsCom, we know who let the dogs out and we have probably raced them We see John Cena on the cour t ever y week, and we throw events so intense they make cardio look like a SPA day We run tournaments, chase glor y and occasionally “rehydrate” after the match, purely for recover y purposes, of course The real question is, can you keep up when the whistle blows and the afterpar ty begins? Join us where victor y tastes better than well, let us just say water

Are you someone who’s organized, curious, and a little obsessed with Google Drive? The Info Committee is your dream match We’re the ones behind the Newcomers’ Guide, General Repor t, Yearbook, and those mysterious monthly updates you skim We’ve got the inside scoop on conferences, job oppor tunities, and events that you are looking for If you like sharing useful info and flexing your design/repor ting skills, swipe right on us

J O U E

Je Joue is THE cherr y on top What exactly do we do? Well, that ’ s for you to find out if you ’ re ready If you go to cultural and ar tsy events as an excuse to drink a lot of wine, then consider this your invitation to apply So who’s our ideal associate? Someone who enjoys all things culture (like German beer funnels and hobby horsing) Come play with us who knows what kind of unforgettable memories we’ll make? J E

Spotted: Someone in the Insider argued passionately about font choices at 2 a m

From scandalous gossip to deep dives on lost Nike socks, our pages have it all

Want in on the drama behind the drama? There’s only one way to find out Join the organization of the year as a writer, designer or par t of the social media team

You know you love us.

xoxo, The Insider

We’re SSE Riga’s resident chaos consultants, solving real cases for real organizations and proving that consulting is more than just making pretty slides (though ours will make your eyes weep with joy). Our ideal associate? Loves guest lectures, thrives in highstakes case sessions, and occasionally suggests “cut costs, increase revenue ” as it ’ s groundbreaking. We help NGOs and star tups turn vision into strategy, and yes, sometimes we do spend 45 minutes picking the right shade of blue. Join the madness

Love to talk, but your friends have had enough? Come debate! Here, ever yone ’ s all ears no escape! Do you have niche knowledge or want to know random facts about the world? Come debate! Do you want to be better at expressing yourself or just want to flex with your already amazing skills? Come debate!

Black Ducky: a name that says it all. We are new, we are cool, and we stand out, which is exactly what we expect of you. In a world full of numbers, finance and super fluous constraints, we offer a place for creativity Show us that you too seek novelty and uniqueness, and we will make the most per fect of matches Even if you fear a lack of ability, do not fretwe might just have the per fect spot for you

Like any serious company, the Student Association has its own CFO - the Accounting Committee It consists of just one person, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in personality. Managing the budget, doing the accounting, and apparently taking care of the lockers. To join this exclusive committee, you have to be fluent in Latvian, become best friends with MS Excel, and learn to count money like the bankers in the 90s. Sometime in Januar y you will have the chance to apply to become the next Chief Accountant

Not a finance bro (yet)? Don't worr y. The SSE Riga Investment Fund isn’t just for people who day trade between lectures, instead, it ’ s for anyone who’s curious about how money moves, grows, and sometimes disappears entirely. Whether you dream of managing billions or just want to stop nodding blankly when someone says “diversify,” we ’ ve got you No experience needed, just real interest, and a mild obsession with learning how investing actually works We’ll handle the rest*

*Except studying and finding an internship

Wondering where all the money comes from? The answer is right in front of you it ’ s Days of Oppor tunities, a k a SSE Riga’s ver y own money printer We create the most impor tant event of the year (besides the par ties, of course) - our annual career fair. If you want to land an internship you can brag about (especially to people who couldn’t care less), and you ’ re ready to bag top-tier companies we’ll snatch you in no time. Soon enough, your cold-calling and coldemailing skills will shine from a mile away!!

Hi! We’re the Charity Club, and we specialize in collecting good karma points and posting highly per formative activist Instagram stories. We’re looking for people who act morally superior and would absolutely feed the homeless (but only to record and post it) Ideal associates? 5Minute Crafts enthusiasts and wannabe Canva designers. The line between “volunteer ” and “victim” is pretty thin here But the vibes? Absolutely immaculate. Jokes aside, though, we spread awareness of social issues and lend a hand to those who need it, so, if you ’ ve got a cause, or just want to help - join us You won’t regret it.

by Rebeka Rumbēna

CROSSWORD puzzlepuzz CROSSWOR OSSWOR

2. One of three SSE Riga values

3. Event of the year (Written together)

4. Longest course in the first year

8. Name of the current SA'’s President

10. How many committees are in Student Association? A C R O S S d o w n

Think you ’ re a true SSE Rigan? Then this crossword should be a breeze. Y1s grab a pen and prove how much of an SSE Rigan you already are (no pressure, but we ’ re watching) Y2s, Y3s at this point, no excuses, you should be solving this faster than you can say “Soros”

Don’t forget to snap a pic of your answers and send it to insider@sseriga edu Fastest correct entry gets featured in the next Insider glory awaits!

1. First event for Y1's

5. Newest par tner of SA (hint: platinum)

6. SSER building is on Street

7. Best organization : The

9. Name of one of ASCT professor'’s

‘ ‘

SHE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF A BLANK CANVAS, THE KIND THAT SWALLOWS YOU IF YOU STARE TOO LONG. THE ROOM HUMMED WITH A SOUND SHE COULDN’T HEAR, ONLY SEE. SOMEWHERE, FAR AWAY BUT ALSO INSIDE HER HEAD, A SNARE WAS STRUCK AGAIN AND AGAIN, EACH STRIKE SPILLING A FRESH LINE OF VERMILLION ACROSS THE WHITE. THE AIR WAS THICK, SYRUP-THICK, AND EACH BREATH SHE TOOK WAS A CHORD, AND EACH CHORD DRIPPED A DIFFERENT SHADE OF BLUE, POOLING AT HER FEET. SHE DIDN’T KNOW IF THE COLORS WERE COMING FROM THE MUSIC, OR IF THE MUSIC WAS COMING FROM HER. ALL SHE KNEW WAS THAT THE CANVAS WASN’T BLANK ANYMORE.

THE PLAYLIST KICKS IN WITH THE NORWEGIAN JAZZMAN NILS PETTER MOLVAER AND ITS PLATONIC YEARS AS AN HOMAGE TO THE FRIENDSHIP TIES WE KNOT DURING OUR YEARS AT UNIVERSITY. THE FOLLOWING PIECE IS FROM THE FRENCH BAND, THE ALPES. “FACING THE CROWD”: ONE OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES FOR PROFESSORS AS WELL AS STUDENTS. NEXT IS LES RITA MITSOUKO, AN ICONIC FRENCH BAND FROM THE 1980S, WITH A TITLE THAT WILL (LET'S HOPE, NOT TOO OFTEN) BE THE ANSWER YOU WILL RECEIVE FROM CLASSMATES OR PROFESSORS TO YOUR INTERROGATIONS: “C'EST COMME ÇA” (“IT IS LIKE THAT”). THE FOURTH SONG, FROM CRYSTAL STILTS, EVOKES WHAT MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING BY MOVING TO A NEW UNIVERSITY, CITY OR EDUCATION. IT RESONATES WITH THE NEXT ITEM FROM EDITORS. FLY PAN AM IS A MONTREAL-BASED POSTROCK ACT. THE LINK WITH THE THEME IS MORE PERCEPTIBLE IF YOU WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP. THEN, THE IRISH BAND GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT. ANOTHER POSTROCK PIECE, ANOTHER TAKE ON THE THEME. FINALLY, THE ICELANDIC BAND AMIINA OFFERS A BIT OF CALM FOR THE FINALE. AND NO, THE TITLE DOES NOT REFER TO SSE RIGA STUDENTS' LIFESTYLE...

G O S S I P S G O S S I P S G O S S I P S

my friends are so goated, i went home at 7am, they call me at 10.30, these bi***** are on a fkn catamaran with a beer in their hands

This was the worst yearbook ever. Zero effort was put in it. And it is sad given that this is how people will remember class 2025

asked the dj for snow strippers 3 times, didnt get it heart absolutely shattered

Interesting couple spotted last night. AK and RR making out on the dance floor. Is he going for the whole friend group, or stopping just at two?

O.O. was crying about J.E.S. leaving

the yearbook was not good. cheaply made, bad quality. why spam everyone with so many emails and messages if that's the result you put out. very disappointing

our matcho spotted again with a new girl

Its clear to see who the whores are at sse riga parties, and they say only women are sluts

yr1 R.R and yr2 A.K was an unexpected duo tbh…

New event - new girl for our sports com chief xD

a certain K.S. (Y2) and M.K. (Y1) danced the night away, just like in SS, truly begs the question - will they or won't they?

AĶ (Y2) gets rejected by multiple conquests and goes back to RR (Y1) as per usual

J and E spotted yet again dancing like no one’s watching

A.K. and R.R. - hot and steamy!!!!!

Some blondie was crackin g y1’s right and left all night… a menace to society

PS. If u lost a bra - +371 22****78

K Z went to ncc to stay sober and play basketball alone.

Ex jejoue chief got a nice cut

Y1 are super lame and boring.... U need to step up

Y1 guys, PLEASE KEEP UR HANDS TO YOURSELVES, if not ur gonna get banned from the SSE Riga events just like LF (Y2)

G is back? For how long this time?

Heard there is a new character unlocked at sser bragging about getting in

L F is back Be careful

K, have you really never thrown up from alcohol before or you just don’t remember, just like at NCC on someone else’s porch?

lithuanian y1 guy was shooting his shot with y2s… and missing every time.

why was this year’s ncc so dry? barely any y1s, almost all sober and dressed. do these people even know how to party? pretty sure y2s & y3s had more fun than them

It makes me wonder - weren’t there guidelines sayi ng certain people shouldn’t drink at events? Or is it that there are basically no rules and everyone just does whatever they want? Either way, it feels like someone needs to do their job better…

why’s reckless driving treated like a cute party trick here? y ’all good in the head????

Turns out the blonde guy with green shorts about whom the y1 were talking about all night is our dear y2

R.Ķ… allegedly the guy m ade out with 2 girls the same night

That tall guy from Y3 (I heard he plays volleyball) was so sexy… exactly the kind of guy I was hoping to meet here. Looks like my prayers have finally been answered

y1s were so lame this year, no party spirit at all, will not survive sse, we dont like you

i heard that two people had s*x in random guys bed shhhh

guys with girlfriends may have acted up

y1s were so brave, hadnt seen so many naked men tbh this was something i swore im not gona participate in but after one hektors and 4 beers all of my team was naked

i think i saw some of the smallest d**s ever no offense yall were brave

PP, is your sugar daddy AŠ?

A LOT of y1s acting like L.F., keep your hands off please

MI and her squad better stop thinking their opinions matter

The toilets downstairs are now unisex... Hold my be er whilst I kill myself

H O R O S C O P E S H O R O S C O P E S

Being a cancer means 50% ready for classes, 50% still in beach-mode, and 100% missing your pet The next few weeks encourage you to open up and build new connections, but be mindful of your boundaries With your natural empathy, you might be tempted to take on others’ emotional burdens, but your own well-being comes first

Cancer Cancer Cancer

Your return to campus is less of an arrival and more of a grand entry - the outfit, vibe, and academic comeback have been carefully curated since June 2015 This September, your confidence will be your greatest asset Just make sure it’s not covering up the fact that you still have not practiced R Studio or advanced level math over the summer

Leo Leo Leo

Organized your notebooks, highlighted the dates, and even emailed lecturers before classes even started? We get ityou ’ re prepared But September will remind you that no amount of planning can fully tame the unpredictability of the first weeks of school Expect some unexpected twists and a busier pace than anticipated

Virgo Virgo Virgo

Committed to the stereotype, you’ll enter lectures with a black hoodie and an air of mystery Beneath that intense exterior lies a thoughtful, curious mind drawn to self-help books and weirdly specific report topics This month, your focus shifts toward embracing challenges that push you out of your comfort zone

Legend unveils that you are harmony incarnate until you ’ re asked to pick a career or a coffee order This month is about decision-making September challenges you to move beyond indecision and take clear, confident steps Your charm remains a powerful tool, but remember that it won’t replace the hard work needed to earn your grades

The itch to dive into adventure will never leave you However, the upcoming month calls for a careful balance between your desire for spontaneity and the reality of academic responsibilities Deadlines remain non-negotiable, and keeping up with required readings is essential to stay on track

Libra Libra Libra

There’s no doubt - you have probably already mapped your path to graduation, internship, and corporate domination You know your five-year plan, and so does your academic advisor This month, your challenge is to recognize when to act - and when to wait Mastering the art of timing will help you seize opportunities at their peak.

Capricorn Capricorn Capricorn

For smarty-pants like you, university means knowledge, people-watching, and post-exam debriefs in the lobby This September, the stars urge you to ground your brilliance That idea you had in the middle of a podcast or halfdream? Turn it into something you can actually submit as an essay

Aquarius Aquarius Aquarius

There is no one who’s entering the semester with a backpack full of dreams and a heart full of emotions better than you This time of the year, you ' re being called to bridge the gap between inspiration and execution Ground your magic: turn your doodles into mathematical formulas, bullet points or code

Pisces Pisces Pisces

The rumor has it that you spent the entire summer perfecting the art of rest, and now that school’s starting again, you ’ re wondering why anyone thought 8am classes were morally acceptable As the semester kicks off, you’ll find your well-earned relaxation habits clashing with the early morning grind

Taurus Taurus Taurus

During this month you ’ re sprinting into the semester like it’s a triathlontextbooks in one hand, Red Bull in the other. But in the weeks ahead, pacing yourself will be key to maintaining energy and motivation Your enthusiasm is unmatched, but so is your tendency to burn out by Week 3

Aries Aries Aries

Dear Gemini, you ’ re juggling ten convos, three half-finished seminars, and maybe a crush or five This month, your mental energy will be at an all-time high However, September challenges you to prioritize your commitments Trying to do everything at once risks leaving projects unfinished