Discover the Exciting Life in University of Latvia!
University of Latvia offers a dynamic learning environment. Let me tell you why I chose to study here.
Why I Chose Computer Science
Being a developer has always been one of my dreams ever since I was a kid. The idea of creating programs and making computers do stuff was really interesting to me. A big motivator to my career choice was my father. Seeing how successful he has become as a developer made me want to follow his footsteps. It all started with me playing video games. One thing led to another and around the age of 14 I wrote my first line of code. During middle school I had a strong interest in math and I already knew I wanted to work with numbers. Initially I was worried about whether I would enjoy programming, but I knew that the IT space offered many niches to explore. The cherry on top was the promised high salaries, even if it has not come true for me yet. Luckily I discovered that I do enjoy coding, and I am very happy with my decision. Since then I have had an exciting journey on my way to University of Latvia. Keep reading to find out why.
Benefits of Working in IT
€30 000
Average Yearly Salary
Developers enjoy a high annual income, showing the high demand for their expertise and skills in today’s digital world.
20%
Of All Applications
A computer science degree stands out as one of the most popular academic programs chosen by hundreds of students every year.
30+
Different Career Paths
Computer science offers a wide choice of career opportunities, starting from software development all the way to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
Previous Education
Ozolnieki, Latvia
Ozolnieki Middle School
2009-2018
Michigan, USA
Coldwater High School
2018-2019
Lisbon, Portugal
University of Lisbon
2019-2020
Current Education
Currently I am studying at University of Latvia. Deciding whether to stay in Latvia or study abroad was a tough choice, but in the end I chose to stay due to many good reviews I heard about the university. The first year was challenging, as I had to ride the train daily from Jelgava, which is a trip that took about an hour each way. Over time, I became more familiar with Riga. Luckily the university campus is conveniently located in the city center. The first year was the hardest due to adjusting to all the new stuff – new school, new friends and new subjects. In my second year, I secured an internship at my current workplace, an opportunity I am very grateful for. Now I am nearing the end of my third year, with just a few exams left. Balancing university and work can be challenging at times, but I enjoy staying busy as it distracts me from being bored.
Lets Take a Trip Down Memory Lane
Ozolnieki Middle School
Where It All Started
My first school holds a special place in my heart. It is located close to my home so getting to and from school was always easy. This is where I started my educational journey and finished all 12 grades. Being a small rural school, there were only 10 of us in my class. We were all close friends and helped each other with studies. Sometimes we played basketball and volleyball after school. We have our own volleyball and basketball courts as well as a full indoor sports hall. A nice bonus of a small school is that everyone knows each other. My father also studied at this school. Currently, both my sisters and my younger brother continue their studies in this school. There I was also able to get my first exchange opportunities. Through the NORDPLUS program I had the chance to visit Lithuania, Sweden, and Greenland. These trips provided me with valuable cultural experiences and many new friends.
Coldwater High School
First Steps Alone
The next stop on my journey was Coldwater High School in Michigan, USA. There were over 2 thousand applicants to the FLEX exchange program and I was lucky to be one of the 25 selected. I spent an entire year living with a host family and studying in two schools at the same time. In the day time I was going to my American school and in the afternoons I was studying online for my Latvian school. The whole experience was a big challenge, but I am very grateful for the opportunity to try out the American lifestyle. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I tried new activities like American football, baseball, and tennis. Being so far away from home was scary, but it taught me independence and significantly improved my problem solving skills. Between all the adventures I met one of my best friends with whom I still maintain contact 5 years later. Despite the challenges and the many lessons I learned, I came to the conclusion that there is truly no place like home.
University of Lisbon
Trying Something New
My third educational experience brought me to Lisbon, Portugal. I had an amazing opportunity to study at the University of Lisbon. Although my stay was short, it was very productive. The university had beautiful architecture. During my time there, I unexpectedly met fellow Latvians, which added a comforting sense of familiarity in a new place. Turns out they also play volleyball so we quickly became close friends. Through their connections I was able to participate in Aleksandrs Samoilovs beach volleyball camp in Mallorca, Spain. I also tried learning the local language but quickly realized that it is way harder than it seems. Thankfully most of the locals knew English, so that was not a big problem. Searching for the real experience I tried local seafood, which quickly became the best part of my stay. Exploring Lisbon’s historic streets, colorful markets, and relaxing by the beach made it an unforgettable experience.
My Thoughts So Far
As a third year computer science student at University of Latvia, my journey so far has been full with practical learning opportunities and an amazing internship experience that led to my dream job at Magebit. Working with popular Latvian e-commerce sites like Madara Cosmetics and Capital.lv, I have learned most of the basics in web development. A lot of my work is related to PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and Linux. At Magebit, I have not only improved my technical skills but also made new connections. What I like most about Magebit is the helpful coworkers and the events that usually have a lot of effort put into them. From day one I was warmly welcomed, and my initial questions, no matter how basic, were always answered with patience. This beginner friendly atmosphere allowed me to gain useful knowledge. Recently I passed my first work birthday, marking 1 year in the company. All of this would not have been possible without University of Latvia.
Student Testimonials
University of Latvia has exceeded all my expectations. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, and the campus is an inspiring place to learn.
Laura
Faculty of Computing
Graduated
Studying at University of Latvia has been an amazing experience. The student community and all the available activities have improved my university experience.
Armands
Faculty of Computing
Year 3
University of Latvia has provided me with countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I am grateful for the scholarship and internship opportunities.
Sofija
Faculty of Computing
Year 2