Viktoriya Samokhina

In September 2016 I will start a graduate degree program in International Trade and Investment Policy at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs in DC. The factor underlining my decision to pursue the degree in International Trade and Investment upon completing a B.A. in International Relations at Columbia University, is my concern with economic growth and development of democratic political institutions in Russia. The questions of concern to me are whether an increase in flows of foreign investments leads to democratization of political institutions and how to develop a financial sector to promote economic growth.
My undergraduate course of study laid out a solid foundation for my academic interests, which in turn has prepared me to commence a career in the academic and government sectors. At Columbia University I completed relevant courses such as Politics in Russia, International Political Economy, Comparative Politics, U.S. National Security, Past and Present of the United Nations. I have also audited courses in Intermediate Macro economy and Intermediate Micro economy over the summer in order to prepare to the graduate level courses.