August 29, 2025
Make Your Bet. Exciting or Not?
Seasons change, but we remain more determined than ever!
Hi, it’s Nikola!
I’m already in a fall mood as the leaves start turning red and the days get shorter. But, you know, it’s that time of the month when we reflect on all the exciting things we accomplished. To be honest, this month REALLY was exciting!
We started off by listening to our wonderful CCC Latvia advisor, Asnate Kivile, speak about important terms and processes we need to know to make the application process smoother and less confusing. Here are a few of my takeaways:
The main event of the month, of course, was the first in-person event for the CCC Latvia 2025 group on August 26! I was thrilled to meet all our fantastic CCC students and loved chatting with each one. We had a wonderful room for the event, delicious snacks, 12 PIZZAS, and of course, our amazing speakers: Donka Robinson, Dalia Batuuka, and Karina Vintere!
It was extra special to have one of our CCC Latvia alumni, Kristers Skrinda, now a student at Stanford University, join us for lunch. He shared fascinating and funny stories about the U.S. and his journey there. The combination of all these elements made the event truly special, all in a relaxed and friendly environment—thanks to our fantastic CCC Latvia advisor, Asnate!
Workshops & Speakers
Karina Vintere – Program Officer at American Councils, working with U.S. Exchange alumni worldwide. She holds a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in International Relations and European Studies. Karina has studied abroad in Slovenia, Greece, and the U.S. through the FLEX Program and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation’s Leadership Academy. Recognized by the European Commission as a Latvian youth leader during the 2019 EP elections, she led a workshop titled “Unlocking Leadership Potential”. We explored different leadership styles, assessed our own qualities, and learned how to grow as leaders before and during college. The workshop was amazing!
Donka Robinson – Led “Leading with Words: Essay Strategies for Future Leaders”. Donka has nearly 30 years of experience as a U.S. Foreign Service spouse, and her husband is currently the U.S. ambassador to Latvia. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and a Master’s in Political Science from George Washington University, as well as a Master of Education from George Mason University. Her passion is teaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Key takeaways from her workshop:
Dalia Batuuka – Public Diplomacy Officer for Cultural Affairs and Educational Programming at the U.S. Embassy in Riga. Dalia has previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea, and has experience with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the White House. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs and B.A. degrees in African Studies and Political Science from Pennsylvania State University. Her workshop, “Unlocking Your Future: Navigating the Path to U.S. Colleges”, offered practical advice:
As promised, here are the links to the useful webinars I mentioned earlier:
Speaking Confidently in Class: ESL Tips for Academic Participation
The Future of Student Writing: Summary, Response, and Reflection
P.S. - for more content about U.S. admissions and universities, follow Education USA Virtual on YouTube.
Till next time,
Nikola Princova
Student leader of CCC Latvia
I’m already in a fall mood as the leaves start turning red and the days get shorter. But, you know, it’s that time of the month when we reflect on all the exciting things we accomplished. To be honest, this month REALLY was exciting!
We started off by listening to our wonderful CCC Latvia advisor, Asnate Kivile, speak about important terms and processes we need to know to make the application process smoother and less confusing. Here are a few of my takeaways:
- Schools need to have Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
- One tool you can use to translate your grades to GPA is the WES calculator.
- Federal aid is not available to international students.
- A brag sheet (list of your achievements)
- The college/university name and application deadline
- Any specific points you’d like them to highlight
- Giving at least 1–2 months’ notice to write the recommendation
The main event of the month, of course, was the first in-person event for the CCC Latvia 2025 group on August 26! I was thrilled to meet all our fantastic CCC students and loved chatting with each one. We had a wonderful room for the event, delicious snacks, 12 PIZZAS, and of course, our amazing speakers: Donka Robinson, Dalia Batuuka, and Karina Vintere!
It was extra special to have one of our CCC Latvia alumni, Kristers Skrinda, now a student at Stanford University, join us for lunch. He shared fascinating and funny stories about the U.S. and his journey there. The combination of all these elements made the event truly special, all in a relaxed and friendly environment—thanks to our fantastic CCC Latvia advisor, Asnate!
Workshops & Speakers
Karina Vintere – Program Officer at American Councils, working with U.S. Exchange alumni worldwide. She holds a Master’s in Political Science and a Bachelor’s in International Relations and European Studies. Karina has studied abroad in Slovenia, Greece, and the U.S. through the FLEX Program and the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation’s Leadership Academy. Recognized by the European Commission as a Latvian youth leader during the 2019 EP elections, she led a workshop titled “Unlocking Leadership Potential”. We explored different leadership styles, assessed our own qualities, and learned how to grow as leaders before and during college. The workshop was amazing!
Donka Robinson – Led “Leading with Words: Essay Strategies for Future Leaders”. Donka has nearly 30 years of experience as a U.S. Foreign Service spouse, and her husband is currently the U.S. ambassador to Latvia. She holds a Bachelor’s in International Affairs and a Master’s in Political Science from George Washington University, as well as a Master of Education from George Mason University. Her passion is teaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Key takeaways from her workshop:
- Reflect before choosing a story for your essay prompt.
- Your writing should demonstrate your abilities.
- Show growth in your writing—you didn’t start out amazing, and that’s okay.
Dalia Batuuka – Public Diplomacy Officer for Cultural Affairs and Educational Programming at the U.S. Embassy in Riga. Dalia has previously served at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Korea, and has experience with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the White House. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs and B.A. degrees in African Studies and Political Science from Pennsylvania State University. Her workshop, “Unlocking Your Future: Navigating the Path to U.S. Colleges”, offered practical advice:
- Apply early—timing matters.
- Every dollar counts, so apply to as many scholarships as possible.
- Fewer colleges accept applications in the spring semester, so plan ahead.
As promised, here are the links to the useful webinars I mentioned earlier:
Speaking Confidently in Class: ESL Tips for Academic Participation
The Future of Student Writing: Summary, Response, and Reflection
P.S. - for more content about U.S. admissions and universities, follow Education USA Virtual on YouTube.
Till next time,
Nikola Princova
Student leader of CCC Latvia
EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories.
EducationUSA Virtual
EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories.