The association Ar Pasaules Pieredzi Latvijā (BrainGain Latvia), with support from the Society Integration Foundation (SIF) through the NGO Fund, has implemented a project aimed at promoting the integration of international students and recent graduates into Latvia’s labour market and society.

While research was at the heart of the project in 2025, this year the focus shifted to practical action and direct engagement with international students. Last year, we conducted a study, The Integration of International Students and Employment Opportunities in Latvia, the findings of which we presented in November at the conference International Students for Latvia: An Opportunity or a Risk? The study helped us gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities international students face in Latvia.

Building on these findings, this year we focused on practical solutions to help international students build connections, understand the local labour market, participate in community life, and identify opportunities for professional growth in Latvia.

Brain Gain Workshops – Insights, Connections and Participation

As part of the project, we organised three Brain Gain workshops at Startup House Riga, giving international students the opportunity to explore Latvia’s business environment and local communities, as well as ways to become more actively involved in addressing issues that matter to them.

1. In February, we invited startup founders to share their experiences and offer insights into Latvia’s startup ecosystem. Participants also had the opportunity to try vibe coding – creating digital solutions with the help of AI tools.
2. At the April workshop, five local organisations introduced students to their work and the volunteering and participation opportunities they offer. This gave participants a chance to get to know local communities and expand their networks in Latvia.
3. The September workshop brought together international students and representatives of organisations representing international students to discuss the challenges students face in Latvia and explore ways to become more actively involved in addressing issues that matter to them. Participants also learned from Finland’s experience, highlighting the importance of collaboration and student participation.

NO (RĪG)RETS Comedy Night

To foster mutual understanding and a sense of belonging, we organised the NO (RĪG)RETS comedy night at Angārs in the Tallinas ielas kvartāls. Three comedians with international experience shared personal stories about life in Latvia, while audience members had the opportunity to take the stage in an open-mic format and share their own experiences. The event brought together more than 200 international students and locals.

Young Leaders Academy – From Potential to Practical Experience

One of the project’s main components was the Young Leaders Academy – a targeted programme for motivated international students who want to develop their skills, build professional connections, and pursue their future in Latvia.

The academy consisted of four sessions combining personal development, practical workshops, collaboration with local businesses, and the exchange of experiences.

1. During the first session, participants explored self-awareness, goal-setting, resilience, and personal growth. Through practical exercises, they reflected on their strengths, ambitions, and challenges, while learning to see difficulties as opportunities for growth.
2. The second session turned theory into practice. Participants learned how to solve problems based on customer needs, laying the groundwork for their subsequent work on real-world challenges faced by Latvian businesses.
3. The third session focused on collaboration, networking, and developing new ideas. A summer gathering in Lilaste gave academy participants the opportunity to meet APPLV members, expand their professional and personal networks, and strengthen their sense of community.
4. During the final session, participants presented solutions they had developed in collaboration with local businesses – ranging from marketing strategies to app prototypes. Some of these ideas have already been put into practice. The event also highlighted the importance of cooperation between international students and Latvian businesses, while APPLV members shared their career experiences and advice on making Latvia a home.

From International Student to Professional in Latvia

“Joining this programme was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Sahil Singh Thakur studied for a master’s degree in Adaptronics at Riga Technical University. Before joining the Young Leaders Academy, he struggled to find a job in Latvia. To cover his living expenses, he worked in customer support, but his professional ambitions lay in satellite programming and space technology projects.

“Through my journey in this project I found a job where I’ll be contributing to making satellites secure against quantum attacks.”

The programme gave him the opportunity to work on challenges faced by local startups, gaining first-hand insight into their problems and needs. Sahil considers one of the most valuable outcomes to be the opportunity to connect with knowledgeable and talented people who helped him move his career in the right direction.

“I believe local people are very helpful and sincere, and that foreigners can contribute tremendously to the Latvian economy.”

His goal is to continue expanding his knowledge of space technology and, potentially, to help Latvia strengthen its position in the international space industry in the future.

Sahil’s story shows what can be achieved when talented young people are given the opportunity not only to study but also to demonstrate their abilities in practice, build connections, and find their place in Latvia’s labour market.

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone and Seeing Ideas Put into Practice

Anugraheetha Bin Saj is a graduate of the bachelor’s programme in Computer Science at Riga Technical University. By participating in the Young Leaders Academy, she wanted to explore opportunities beyond university, meet new people, and build connections that would help her transition from student life to a professional career in Latvia.

“I was lucky to have one of the best teams to work with. We successfully delivered a solution to the business, and what makes me even happier is that they actually took our idea into practice.”

The programme also helped her develop her communication and teamwork skills, step outside her comfort zone, and become more confident, particularly when speaking in public.

One of her most significant personal realisations was discovering that she could help people without a technical background understand complex topics in a simple and accessible way. Initially, as the only team member with a technical background, Anugraheetha assumed that she would have to handle most of the technical tasks herself. However, her teammates were eager to learn and get involved. This experience helped her realise that communication, teamwork, the ability to understand others, and the capacity to bring different perspectives together are just as important to professional growth as technical knowledge.

Her main goal now is to gain practical work experience, build her career in Latvia, and find opportunities that combine technology, business, and problem-solving.

Investing in Latvia’s Future

This year’s project activities demonstrate that successful integration of international students also means access to professional networks, opportunities to participate in local communities, and the chance to demonstrate one’s potential in practice.

Targeted support helps international talent build a future in Latvia, while enabling Latvia to make full use of their knowledge, skills, and potential.