William Zang ’19
Q: Where did you study as an undergraduate? What was your major(s)?
I majored in History and Russian Studies at UNC-Greensboro.
Q: What do you like about UNC’s graduate program in Russian and East European Studies?
I like the small cohort size. I also feel very welcomed and supported at this point.
Q: Why did you choose to specialize in this region of the globe?
Honestly, I am not sure myself why I chose to study Russia. Looking back I feel as though I could have gone in a few different directions but Russian history caught and kept my interest.
Q: Do you have work and/or study experience in the region?
I do not have any work experience in Russia. I have however studied in Wroclaw, Poland and I began studying Russian history in my first year at UNCG.
Q: What are your research interests?
I want to research Soviet relations with South America, specifically with countries other than Cuba, because that is a fairly well researched topic.
Q: What would you like to do after you graduate?
I want to go on to a PhD program in History.
Q: What are your hobbies? What do you like doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy doing a variety of things. I love cooking and believe that eating healthy food that is good for you is important. I became a huge rugby fan after studying in Wales. For physical activity I enjoy lifting weights. I enjoy improving my Spanish and Russian through listening to music and political speeches and through talking to native speakers. I also enjoy backpacking when I have the time.
Q: What is your favorite visual reminder of the region and why? 
I love art, particularly landscape art, and Shishkin paints some beautiful landscapes. Shishkin’s art has stayed with me probably because I discovered it while I was learning Russian history for the first time. Shishkin paints a lot of Russian landscapes that are of course not real but to me capture the spirit of rural areas of the Russian empire.