Graduates

Adam Rosenheim – Policy Officer at the European External Action Service

Adam Rosenheim currently serves as a Policy Officer at the European External Action Service (EEAS), where he works as a “floater.” This role involves assisting in various departments for periods of several months, which gives him a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of topics and collaborate with numerous colleagues across the institution.

While still a student, he completed a several-month internship at the Czech Embassy in Belgium. After completing his master’s degree, he joined the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in Brussels as an intern during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2022. He subsequently completed a short-term internship at the European Parliament and then a five-month Blue Book internship at the European Commission.

Another important step in his professional career was the Junior Professionals in Delegation (JPD) program, thanks to which he spent two years at the EU Delegation in Morocco as a junior diplomat. Upon his return, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, where his civil service is currently suspended for the duration of his assignment at the EEAS.

What did your studies in territorial studies give you, or how do they help you in your current work?

“My studies in territorial studies gave me, above all, the ability to quickly get up to speed on new topics, work effectively with large amounts of information, and place it in a broader context. These skills have always been key for me in my professional life so far—they’ve allowed me to quickly get up to speed on a new team’s agenda, adapt to a dynamic work environment, and function effectively even in situations where I need to respond to new challenges quickly and in a new setting.”

What advice would you give to current European studies students?

“Based on my experience, I would recommend that students not be afraid to pursue what they truly enjoy and find meaningful, without stressing too much about exactly where their path will lead them. If you’re hardworking, open to new experiences, and willing to keep learning, opportunities will find you sooner or later. Even if they aren’t exactly what you imagined. At the same time, I’d emphasize the importance of being able to “sell yourself”—that is, actively showcasing your skills and not being afraid to go after opportunities. In an international environment like Brussels, this ability is crucial. I’ve often noticed that while some colleagues from abroad have no trouble asserting themselves, Czechs tend to be unnecessarily reserved. Yet it is precisely healthy self-confidence and initiative that can determine who ultimately succeeds.”

Martina Rubešková - Section Chief and Deputy Head of the Office, Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei

While studying at the Department of Western European Studies, Martina Rubešková began working as an intern at the EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, where she continued to work for several years after graduating. In 2014, she was admitted to the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and after graduating, she joined the ministry, where she continues to work today. Her first foreign posting took her to Ethiopia, where she was in charge of consular and development affairs at the embassy in Addis Ababa. She has been stationed in Taiwan since 2023.

What did your studies in area studies give you, or how do they help you in your current work?

“My studies gave me not only knowledge about developments in Western European countries, but above all the ability to look at things from different angles and think about them in a broader context. My stays abroad in Paris and Montreal also played a major role in this. I believe that my studies taught me not to be afraid of new situations, to ask for help when I don’t know something, and to find my own way of dealing with new challenges.”

What advice would you give to current European studies students?

“I would recommend to current students that they not be too hard on themselves and not be afraid to ‘stay true to themselves’ while studying. Not everyone has to fit in right away or have a clear direction—and that’s perfectly fine. It’s worth taking the opportunity to study abroad, try new things, and find your own path, even if it’s a little different from others’. No one knows where life will ultimately take us, but a solid foundation and an openness to new experiences always come in handy.”

Štěpán Černý - Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to COREPER I

PhDr. Štěpán Černý is a graduate of the bachelor’s program in International Territorial Studies (2004–2007) and the master’s program in European Studies at the Institute of International Relations (IMS) of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSV) at Charles University (2007–2010). In 2008, he completed a study stay at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom, focusing on European Economics and the Common Commercial Policy. In 2012, he successfully passed his rigorous examination at the IMS FSV UK and was awarded the title of PhDr.

While still a student in 2009, he served as a liaison coordinator during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. After completing his studies in European Studies, he worked for a year at Český rozhlas Radiožurnál, from where he subsequently moved into the field of public administration and European affairs. He first spent six months on an internship at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, from where he then moved to the European Department of the Senate Office. He then moved to the European Affairs Section of the Office of the Government in October 2014, where he successively served as head of department, director of division, and finally as senior director of the section.

Since July 1, 2025, he has been the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the COREPER I Committee and Deputy Head of the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU.

Since 1999, he has also been involved in volunteer work with the YMCA, the oldest and largest youth organization in the world. From 2012 to 2020, he served as Vice President of the European Alliance of the YMCA.

What did your studies in territorial studies give you, or how do they help you in your current work?

“My studies provided me not only with a deep understanding of European integration, but above all with the ability to navigate the complex and sometimes quite technical processes of the EU. Today, I draw on it primarily for my understanding of the EU’s institutional logic—which is essential when negotiating or preparing Czech positions—analytical thinking, and the ability to quickly process information from various sources, as well as the ability to communicate across cultures and disciplines, which is an everyday reality in Brussels, as well as an understanding of the broader context of European policies, which helps me better assess proposals and their impacts on the Czech Republic. Another major advantage was that the program combined political science, legal, economic, and historical perspectives—exactly as work in the EU environment requires. At the same time, I must say that the best school of life is practical experience, so now, more than 16 years after graduation, I draw primarily from that, although I do enjoy returning to the lecture halls in Jinonice and elsewhere as a guest lecturer from time to time.”

What advice would you give to current students of European Studies?

“I would recommend three things to current European Studies students. First, don’t be afraid of practical experience. An internship at an EU institution, a ministry, or a think tank can be a breakthrough moment—you’ll understand how things really work and gain contacts that will come in very handy later. Or you might decide that you don’t actually want to do that. Next, it’s important to develop language skills and soft skills. In the world of diplomacy and European politics, the difference between a good and a great diplomat often lies in communication, negotiation, and the ability to collaborate. At the same time, I’d recommend that they build a specialization. European Studies provide a broad foundation—but the professional world will appreciate it if you make topics like energy, digitalization, security, or external relations your own. And perhaps most importantly: don’t limit yourself to just what’s in the syllabus. European studies lie at the intersection of a practical craft and an academic discipline; I personally believe there is actually very little “science” in it. That’s why the agenda changes faster than textbooks—those who are curious and keep up with current events have a major advantage.”

Anežka Kotková - Ph.D. candidate, University College Dublin

Anežka Kotková graduated with a degree in Territorial Studies, specializing in European Studies, in September 2025 and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in law at UCD Sutherland School of Law in Dublin. Her research focuses on gender inequality, women’s awareness of their rights under European legislation, and their perception of the European Union as a whole. In addition to her doctoral studies, she is participating in the Rights to Unite research project, where she examines how people in the Czech Republic exercise rights derived from EU law in their daily lives.

What did studying territorial studies give you, or how does it help you in your current work?

“Thanks to my studies at KES, I am able to think about current events in a broader context and place them within that context. I wouldn’t be able to do my current work without my studies at KES—it allows me to combine different approaches, concepts, theories, and methods, which opens up more possibilities for my research. It is precisely this interdisciplinarity that is key to both my PhD and the project I’m working on. The opportunity to study and live abroad was also a huge added value for me. Not every school offers such an accessible opportunity to study abroad, yet it is precisely this experience that gives a person so much. Most of all, however, I value the people KES brought into my life and the two skills I took away: the ability to think critically and to engage in open and respectful discussion with people who hold different views.”

Lucie Vinařská - Legal and Policy Officer, DG CLIMA, European Commission

Lucie Vinařská works in the Legal Department of the Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), where she coordinates infringement proceedings against Member States regarding climate obligations and prepares strategic documents.

After completing her master’s degree, she undertook an internship at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU during the Czech Republic’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. She subsequently remained in Brussels for a Blue Book internship, which she completed in the very department where she currently works.

What did your studies in European Studies give you, or how do they help you in your current work?

“Studying at IMS naturally gave me a theoretical framework that I still build upon today. In addition, however, it also taught me a number of practical skills such as critical thinking and analytical writing.”

What advice would you give to current students of European studies?

“I would recommend that current students go on internships, take advantage of the Erasmus+ program, and learn languages. It is precisely these experiences that are decisive in applications to European institutions.”

Anna Urbanová- Media and political advisor to a Member of the European Parliament

Anna Urbanová currently serves as a media and political advisor to MEP Jan Farský. The term “spin doctor” would best describe her work, though it is not widely used in the Czech context. Her work involves not only communication strategy—including

briefings, preparation for media appearances, speechwriting, and media relations (essentially the role of a press secretary)—but also advising on the political dimensions of messaging. At the same time, she analyzes current events and suggests how and when to respond appropriately. Her work is multifaceted and dynamic, particularly given the intersection of communications and politics.

Her professional journey began while she was still a student. She spent five years at Czech Radio, where she started at the iROZHLAS.cz website and, beginning as a freelancer, gradually worked her way up to become a foreign affairs editor and host of the podcast “Brussels Sandwiches.” It was a valuable experience during which she made full use of her knowledge from IMS and the contacts she had made. At Czech Radio, she was also in charge of the project “Divided by Europe.” She provided detailed coverage of the European Parliament elections, after which she “crossed over to the other side.”

What did studying territorial studies give you, or how does it help you in your current work?

“I recommend studying at IMS to anyone interested in current events. I find it necessary to understand the context and be familiar with geopolitical realities. What may at first glance seem like boring and unnecessary memorization of data turns out to be useful later on, and I can confirm that this is exactly what I use in my current work. In addition, critical thinking and text comprehension. Last but not least, the ability to discuss (ideally both sides of an issue).”

What advice would you give to current European studies students?

“Absorb as much information as possible, but filter it according to your own needs. Not everything you need to learn has to stick with you, but you never know when you might use it. Embrace challenges and seek to be part of a goal-oriented team where you’ll have people to learn from, opportunities to grow, and where you won’t be afraid to stumble. Build strong connections and maintain relationships from your studies—they’ll come in handy in the job market.”