Natalya Ryan ’25

Q: Where did you study as an undergraduate? What was your major(s)?

I earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in History with a German minor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Q: What do you like about UNC’s graduate program in Russian and East European Studies?

I enjoyed the wide variety of research specialties, robust Slavic language programs, and the personable (yet professional) culture among faculty and students.

Q: Why did you choose to specialize in this region of the globe?

I chose the Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies (REEES) concentration because of my personal connection to the region.

Q: Do you have work and/or study experience in the region?

No.

Q: What are your research interests?

My research path is not yet set. However, I am interested in the themes of nationalism, legal history, and the role of religion in shaping culture and politics.

Q: What would you like to do after you graduate?

I’m still exploring potential avenues.

Q: What are your hobbies? What do you like doing in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, swimming, hiking, and knitting.

Q. What is your favorite visual reminder of the region and why?

My favorite image of the region is of the nightlife in Sochi because it highlights the beauty of the intersection between the modernization of Russia’s urban centers and natural beauty of the Black Sea.