ELA Alumna of the Month – October 2024
We’re delighted to reveal our newest ELA Alumna of the Month, SabÄ«ne Rasa VÄ«ra from Latvia! Having recently earned her master’s in biology, SabÄ«ne has led prize-winning innovation projects and currently teaches secondary school students. Socially active and energetic, she is passionate about helping to build a more sustainable world.
Read more about how her life-changing ELA experience impacted her vision for the future:
Which aspects of the European Leadership Academy made your time with us such a life-changing experience for you?
It was truly a one of a kind experience, something out of a dream! Meeting young, inspiring women and learning from influential leaders, speakers, and activists from such diverse backgrounds was valuable for all of us, both personally and professionally.
How did the ELA programme you attended impact your personal growth? What’s a moment or sentence that you will never forget?
A phrase that will always stay with me is 'Leave no one behind!' It’s a sentence we learned by heart. ELA combines leadership, authenticity, and innovation with a message of caring for those around us and the world, which greatly impacted and inspired me.
Did the programme influence your plans? Did it bring you closer to your goals and/or help you take a different path?
Partly. I'm still on my way. The ELA summer school gave me confidence, great friends, and a network of amazing people I admire and care about. It felt like meeting a soul family, united in courage and determination to make the world a better place. Who knows what opportunities the future holds?
What steps have you taken in your life and career since completing the programme?
I started teaching biology at Riga State Gymnasium Nr.3 for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Next year, I will teach my first IB Diploma Programme students and be a year lead. I'm looking forward to it. What I learned in ELA has been of great value to me so far.
What have you achieved in the past few years that you are you most proud of?
Last year, my teams won three innovation contests, securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. This year I have participated in a lot of teaching courses, both national and IB. In between teaching and learning, I also wrote my master's thesis. Thankfully it's done and I graduated in June 2024!
Knowing what you know now – what would you wish to have done differently?
Only through our experiences and mistakes do we grow, so a poetic answer would be 'nothing.' However, if I had to relive this past year as a teacher, I would now know how to do many things better than I did initially. I would plan my time better and worry less.
How did the programme shape your view of society and the changes that digital technology can bring?
I think one of the most important attributes of technology is its ability to connect people. Local and global problem-solving is at our fingertips every day. What ELA taught me is that no action, thought, or person is too small to make an impact. We shape the world together.
What is your vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future and how do you aim to contribute to it?
Our main goal should be reaching climate targets and shifting to a low-carbon economy. This means less consumerism, no fast fashion, and no record profits for unsustainable businesses exploiting people and nature. Eat locally, buy second-hand, and raise awareness when you see injustice!
What advice would you give the many women out there wishing to make a difference?
Go out and do it! We are strong, brave, compassionate, and we CAN! No matter how big or small, every action counts. Women have traditionally been caretakers and homemakers, but our role extends beyond any borders or walls. Our home is our planet. Find a cause you believe in and go for it!
Lastly, please share the name of one song / book / movie that inspires you. The ELA community is always eager to broaden the sources of imagination and creativity!
When I was at the summer school, I was reading 'The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself' by Michael Singer. It's a great book that helps you make peace with your 'inner roommate' and see the world from a broader perspective, helping you become the truest version of yourself.
