For Sophie Williams (MAERES’26), language has never been just a tool for communication—it’s a gateway into understanding history, culture and identity. Growing up in Park City, Utah, she developed an early interest in global perspectives, but it was at SFS that this curiosity evolved into a deeper academic and professional focus.
As a student in the Master of Arts in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies (MAERES) program, Williams arrived with a background in the Russian language and a broad interest in Eastern European history. Over time, that interest sharpened into a passion for memory studies, cultural heritage and national identity: fields that allowed her to explore how history is remembered, interpreted and contested across the region.
A curiosity that became something more
Rather than following a fixed academic path, Williams embraced the flexibility of the MAERES program, allowing her interests to develop organically.
One of the most transformative decisions she made came early on, when she enrolled in a Polish language course “on a whim.” What began as a spontaneous choice quickly became central to her experience. Under the guidance of Professor Iwona Sadowska, she discovered not only a new language but also a fascination with how languages evolve and relate to one another.
“I was fascinated and confused by the ways Polish differed from Russian,” she recalls. Those comparisons, often highlighted in class through shared roots and linguistic shifts, deepened her appreciation for the cultural and historical layers embedded in language.
That curiosity ultimately led her beyond the classroom.
Between her first and second years, Williams was awarded a Boren Fellowship and spent nine months living in Kraków, Poland, studying at Jagiellonian University. Immersed in the language and culture, she dedicated herself fully to language acquisition, culminating in passing the state-proctored B1 Polish exam. But for Williams, the experience was about more than proficiency.
“I felt like I fell in love with the process of language acquisition,” she reflects.
Living abroad gave her the time and space to engage deeply with both the language and the culture, transforming what began as an academic interest into something far more personal and lasting.
Bridging academics and real-world impact
Williams also sought opportunities to apply her academic interests in professional settings. During her first year, she completed two internships focused on documenting and addressing war crimes related to the war in Ukraine.
At The Reckoning Project, an organization dedicated to collecting evidence of war crimes being committed in Ukraine, she worked alongside journalists and legal experts to gather evidence and create social media content, contributing to broader efforts to document human rights violations. She later interned with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, where she supported initiatives aimed at holding perpetrators accountable. These roles allowed her to combine her research skills with her Russian language background in meaningful ways.
“It was an honor to work alongside the historians and attorneys at the DOJ,” she notes. “My work was both challenging and rewarding, and I was grateful for such a unique opportunity to use my Russian and research skills.”
A community that challenges and inspires
While her academic and professional experiences were formative, mentorship played an equally important role in shaping Williams’ time at Georgetown.
She credits Professor Kathleen Smith as one of the most influential figures in her journey. Through regular meetings, feedback and encouragement, Smith helped Williams refine her ideas and gain confidence in her abilities as a researcher and writer.
“I always left our meetings feeling like my ideas had a valid place in academia thanks to her encouragement,” Williams says.
That support extended beyond coursework, as Smith also helped guide her toward opportunities such as the Boren Fellowship and offered feedback on key applications.
Above all, Williams emphasizes the impact of the SFS community. Surrounded by peers whose curiosity, ambition and work ethic continually pushed her, she found herself inspired to aim higher.
She also encourages future MAERES students to take initiative early– introduce themselves to professors, seek out opportunities and remain open to new experiences.
“There are so many opportunities at Georgetown,” she says. “Sometimes knowing about them is the hardest part.”
Lessons in perspective
Looking back, Williams recognizes how much her goals have evolved during her time at Georgetown. She entered the program with a general interest in Eastern European history but left with a much clearer sense of direction.
Just as importantly, she came to value the process of exploration itself.
“Courses, networking and on-campus events helped me understand paths I didn’t want to pursue, which is sometimes just as valuable as understanding paths you want to take,” she reflects.
The intellectually stimulating environment at Georgetown, both inside and outside the classroom, encouraged her to think more critically, engage more deeply and approach her studies with greater intention.
As she prepares for the next chapter, Williams is considering pursuing a Ph.D., motivated by her interest in research and her desire to continue exploring questions of memory, identity and culture. For Williams, it was that openness to new languages, new ideas and new paths that defined her Georgetown experience and shaped the direction of what comes next.
“I just can’t get enough,” she says.