Our recent star graduate, Julia Zuercher, completed her degree this spring with a double major in Russian and international studies. Having successfully completed UF’s AFROTC program, she has been commissioned into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant, where she will commence work as an intelligence officer. Julia also completed an outstanding honors thesis in Russian studies on “The Female Face of Terror: The Portrayal of Chechen Female Terrorists in Russian Media.”Read on to learn more about her thesis and experiences with UF Russian Studies.
How would you describe the focus and goals of the honors thesis?
My honors thesis evaluates the portrayal of Chechen female terrorists in Russian news media by translating and analyzing press discourse surrounding these women and their political violence. Through an examination of the media frames used to portray them and their male counterparts, I investigated the way gender and ethnicity influence news narratives surrounding the paradox of the female terrorist.
Share one surprising or otherwise memorable aspect of your experience with UF Russian Studies.
I specifically transferred to UF for the variety of Russian courses and extra-curricular opportunities offered by the Russian Studies program. Both have exceeded my expectations. Thanks to the UF in Tbilisi program, I was able to live abroad with a host family in Tbilisi, Georgia. This was an unforgettable summer that transformed my Russian language skills. Russian Studies has helped make my time at UF a memorable, fulfilling experience.
Say a few words about how the combination of Russian studies and officer training worked for you at UF.
Pursuing a double major in Russian language and international studies, while balancing military training in UF’s Air Force ROTC program, has allowed me to pursue my passions and develop professionally. This combination has been challenging, yet rewarding, since I’ve been able to take the skills I’ve developed through my degrees and directly apply them to the pursuit of a career in national security. For example, my interest in national security issues, in part, inspired the topic for my thesis, which helped me develop the translation skills I could one day use in a professional setting. Through the unwavering support of both the Russian Studies and Air Force ROTC faculty, I’ve been able to pursue challenging endeavors such as my honors thesis, a national security internship, and high-level leadership positions within ROTC.
What words of advice do you have for students just now taking up Russian studies?
Immerse yourself in all the program has to offer! Whether it’s taking on the daunting task of reading “War and Peace” or studying abroad, don’t hesitate to challenge yourself.