21/05/2009 | Graduate student profiles , Newsletter

Student profile: PhD in post-Soviet politics

By: Ann Graham

The Russian PhD student speaks with Topgradschool.com about research, movies and university professors.

Elena Gnedina wanted to receive a high-quality education abroad, so she chose the UK. “It’s quite famous in Russia for high quality, openness towards foreign students and a good range of institutions to choose from,” she says.

Now studying for a PhD in post-Soviet politics at Queen’s University Belfast, Elena – originally from Russia – started looking into universities half a year before she finished her masters degree in Hungary.

“Students should take the following into account: the university or department should have considerable interest in the area of study so that they can benefit from the exchange of opinions with colleagues, different academic events and library resources; a supervisor needs to have considerable knowledge on the subject; scholarships and additional resources such as travel grants need to be available and a university should have a proper infrastructure for life on campus – such as comfortable dorms, good gym facilities, cinemas and student clubs.”

“I would advise other students to carefully read through the school’s requirements and clearly show how you satisfy them."

Queen’s University in the Northern Ireland city of Belfast, pursues research in a variety of areas and has an outstanding infrastructure, so it easily fit the bill. Elena has received a full scholarship, which covers her tuition fees and living expenses. She also gets a yearly travel grant to go to conferences and embark on research abroad.
“I would advise other students to carefully read through the school’s requirements and clearly show how you satisfy them. If you’re applying for scholarships, you need to have a good research proposal, demonstrating your interest in the subject and enthusiasm in pursuing your interest. You may also want to establish a contact with a professor who might be interested in your research.”

University life in Belfast is suiting Elena. She has the possibility to pursue her intellectual development and career plans while getting an inside perspective on life in Northern Ireland.

“On the weekends she explores her host country’s coasts, mountains and national parks with the university’s hiking club before having coffee with club members in one of the numerous cosy coffee cafes.

“There are lots of different clubs where students meet according to their interests. I also attend the gender literature club where we have fun debating on gender issues. There are also lots of extra activities to do at the university and around the city. There’s an excellent student movie house offering a big range of art movies and special weeks dedicated to movies from different countries or on specific subjects.”

“My PhD is allowing me to do what I always wanted to do with my life.”

Elena hopes her PhD studies will lead her to a career in academia, but in the meantime she’s enjoying all Belfast has to offer.
“My PhD is allowing me to do what I always wanted to do with my life.”