Olha Droniak, CIR ’25

Olha Droniak is from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and was drawn to the MA from UChicago's Committee on International Relations (CIR) for its one-year accelerated format and global reputation. “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 were in international security and international law. She was especially interested in studying diplomacy and foreign policy in crisis situations. Her thesis examined the factors that enable small states to deter major powers, focusing on the Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion as a case study.

CIR's expert faculty were a huge draw for Droniak. She was particularly impressed with 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. 

Since completing her degree, Droniak has begun applying to MA programs in Russian and Eastern European Studies in order to continue her education.  Additionally, she launched my own consulting initiative, Dolia Education, which helps Ukrainians gain admission to top universities in the U.S. and Europe. As of 2025, it has more than 2,000 active followers.

Droniak's 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.