Michael Alisky

Michael Alisky (he/him) is a rising senior majoring in International Relations with specializations in Comparative International Governance and International History and Culture. He is minoring in computer science and coterming in International Policy.

Michael became interested in international relations through Extemporaneous Speaking, a high school speech and debate program focused on current events. He appreciates how the IR program provides students an opportunity to build language proficiency and gain tools to analyze and ask questions about a dynamic, complex world.

Some of Michael's favorite classes he has taken for the major include POLISCI 244A: “Authoritarian Politics” with Professor Lisa Blaydes, ECON 131: “The Chinese Economy” with Professor Scott Rozelle, and INTNLREL 131: “Understanding Russia” with Professor Kathryn Stoner.

This summer, Michael will study Chinese in Beijing and begin fieldwork for his CDDRL honors thesis on education and internal migration in China. Last summer, he took online Chinese classes while serving as a research assistant to Professor McFaul through the Summer Research College program.

Michael's advice to students interested in international relations is to prioritize relationships with friends, peers, and professors. He also encourages students to demonstrate motivation and curiosity and to find a mentor who will champion them.