While my family is entirely Ukrainian, from Kyiv, I was born in Minnesota and have lived most of my life in the Netherlands. With such a background, my life has been serendipitously defined by international relations. From childhood, I found myself between cultures and ‘homes’, frequently acting as a mediator or translator. I developed an inextinguishable desire to cultivate mutual understanding between people, inclining me to pursue the study of human relations in my academic career. I graduated with a Bachelor in Politics, Psychology, Law, and Economics from the University of Amsterdam and am currently completing a Master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy at Leiden University. I aspire to be a researcher committed to finding reliable information which can assist in developing stronger international cooperation and communication with the goal of sustainable peace.
As part of this journey I applied to HCSS, an organization that I believed valued thorough research and recognized the inherently interconnected nature of all aspects of human relations. And I was not disappointed. On any day at HCSS I could do anything from researching and writing, to assisting with the organization of events and participating in discussions with renowned guests. This diversity ensured that average days at HCSS were never ‘average’. Throughout my time, I have engaged with topics and methods that I would not have had otherwise, like arms control and missile defence as well as the design of ‘serious games’ as awareness-raising and informative tools. The enthusiasm of all HCSS staff towards these subjects encouraged me to become excited and immersed as well.
Above: My video explainer on the military use of information in the war in Ukraine
The culmination of my learning at HCSS has become intertwined with Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, which occurred only three weeks after I started my internship. Prior to HCSS I specialized in Eastern European geopolitics, and, compounded with my Ukrainian heritage, all my attention immediately turned to the war. Fortunately, HCSS provided me with numerous opportunities to channel my energy and desire to help with the conflict into research. I was encouraged to take initiative by staff who also supported me on days when things got overwhelming. As part of one project, I researched whether European sanctions were effectively targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex, resulting in the publication of an op-ed for the NRC. I was also enabled to become the lead author on a report, which aimed to disentangle the informational influencing tactics that have been used in the Ukraine war so far. I was trusted to take charge on all steps of the process. With this project, I grasped the complexity of studying and responding to ongoing developments in international relations, drawing on lessons from the past while also trying to predict what will happen in the future.
My time at HCSS has shown me that I am incredibly comfortable in the flexible and ever-evolving environment of a think tank, and would like to start my professional career in one, as it is perfectly nestled between academia and policy-making. I encourage any aspiring interns to make the most of this opportunity, to show yourself, and to take all chances in an organization that will treat you with respect and trust from day one.
If you are interested in applying for the HCSS general internship programme, visit the HCSS Jobs and Internship page!
