Olha Droniak, First Year CIR Student

Olha Droniak is from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and was drawn to CIR for its one-year accelerated format and global reputation. At 21 years old, she is one of the youngest students in the cohort. “In Ukraine, my home country, it’s common for students to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree before entering the workforce,” she says.

"I am grateful to have received the Dean's Opportunity Scholarship, as it made my master's degree at the University of Chicago possible. As a Ukrainian affected by the war, I would not have been able to cover tuition expenses in the U.S. This support has not only made my education possible but has also empowered me to contribute to my field and advocate for Ukraine on the global stage in the future."

During her year in CIR, her research interests are in international security and international law. She is especially interested in studying diplomacy and foreign policy in crisis situations. She says, “. I am currently working on a master’s thesis examining the factors that enable small states to deter major powers, focusing on the Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion as a case study.”

The expert faculty were an especial draw for her. The faculty she is most excited to learn from is Professor John Mearsheimer, whose work on realist theory influenced her academic interests. “As an undergraduate, I read many of his articles, so it would be invaluable to meet a scholar whose work I have studied extensively,” she says. She notes she is particular excited to take his Foundations of Realism I course, as well as War and the Nation State.

After completing her degree, Olha hopes to work in global affairs or an international law firm. Eventually, her goal is to pursue a law or public policy degree. 

Her advice to prospective students is to take their time preparing their applications and to write genuinely, as both help the admissions team understand their unique perspectives and goals. “Be authentic and sincere in your essays—when you write genuinely, the admissions committee gains a deeper understanding of who you are as a person,” she says.