Monika Kostecka

Monika Kostecka was born in Toruń - the Polish partner town of Göttingen, where she also did her BA and MA from International Relations. During her master studies she spent one semester at University of Siena (Italy), where she studied Economics and International Relations.

As an active student she has participated in a workcamp for volunteers in Perm (Russia); was the leader of an international workcamp in Poland; participated in a Russian language and culture course in Kaliningrad (Russia); did a voluntary service in Bitola (Macedonia); studied one semester in Siena (Italy); participated at the Dresden Model United Nations, took part in two German-Polish seminars in Toruń, Rostock and Golm/Kamminke (Germany); participated in a student excursion and workshop in Kaunas (Lithuania); and finished a training for youth leaders about human rights, conflict transformation and culturally sensitive issues in Russia.

Due to her personal interest, Monika Kostecka emphasized on Eastern European issues. She worked as an active member of the Slavic Studies Student Association (and have been for one year head of it); published two scientific reviews of books related to Russian issues in an academic journal; presented two papers during academic conferences („Russia towards Eastern Partnership” in Prague and "European Union visa policy towards Ukraine and Russia" in Toruń); and took part in a training for trainers concerning the EU enlargement process towards the Western Balkans, where she has additionally lead an one day workshop concerning this matter.