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Sonja Astrakhan in her third year of her Politics and Sociology with East European Studies BA.
Why did you choose to study at UCL SSEES?
To be honest, my journey at SSEES began by accident (as most good things do). I’d originally applied to Economics and Politics and then realized I didn’t meet the entry requirements – so I found SSEES and saw that not only I can get in, but that it speaks to my passion for social science and my identity. I am an ethnic Russian, but having grown up in Western Europe, have always felt like my knowledge on the region was lacking. My innate passion for politics and the social world, which I have always seen as a way of lessening injustice, was heightened by the events of the early 2020s: the brutal protest crackdowns in Belarus and the sentencing of Navalny. Studying at SSEES was a way for me to gain expertise in the field and region I cared about, with hopes of achieving meaningful change in my future career. I was also drawn to the variety of modules and the professors’ unique expertise, as well as the small-ish community (compared to the massive UCL student body).
What are you studying and what attracted you to this particular course?
I am studying BA Politics, Sociology, and East European Studies. As mentioned earlier, I have always been politically inclined, but I also liked the meso/micro-level angle offered by sociology. I also saw that there were opportunities to take modules in economics or culture. Over the years, I’ve taken three literature modules, which I’ve greatly enjoyed and which gave me a welcome break from more theory-based work.
How is your course going? Any favourite modules so far?
Overall, I’ve really enjoyed my course. Something that I’d recommend doing to get the most out of it academically is to get to know your professors and PGTAs and attend every class, as well as the plethora of extracurricular lectures and discussion that SSEES hosts. My favorite module has to be Russian Politics and Society in year 2, but I’m also finding myself really enjoying Understanding and Analysing Data this year – it’s exciting to be working with statistical software used by working professionals and be gaining practical skills.
How would you describe the academic staff at SSEES? What is the support like?
I am very grateful to the staff at SSEES for their knowledge and support and get on really well with many of them. At times it might take a few emails to schedule a meeting or get an answer, but that’s only because everyone is very busy – I’ve never felt like my professors didn’t care about me or didn’t want to help. Don’t be scared to come up to them after class! They really are happy to chat.
What about the social life?
To be honest, while I have a few very close friends at SSEES, most of my socializing has not come directly from faculty events. Rather, I’d strike up a conversation in the lecture or seminar hall and take it outside with a casual coffee or lunch. Because SSEES is small, it can be quite clique-y, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find your people. Be patient and open to others.
What are your future plans/aspirations?
Currently, I am torn between pursuing a Masters, travelling, or going straight into work after graduating. I do want to pursue further education in a related field at some point, for sure – maybe something to do with Data Science, Public Health, or International Relations. I would love to work in a sector that I can perceive as being a net postitive for the world: independent media, research, or an NGO. If not, I can always get a PhD.
Any advice for those thinking about taking this course?
Make sure you really are interested in the region! While there is some general polisci and sociological theory, it really is all about Eastern Europe. Being from the region or being a massive nerd (compliment) is what gives you the curiosity and passion that makes you stand out as a student.