Simon Machalek
UW Honors Graduates
Simon Machalek

Political Science: International Security option
International Studies
Designation: Departmental Honors
Honors Grads 2017/2018
Proudest Moment: Playing for the University of Washington ice hockey team for 4 years
Thesis: Survival Under Foreign Pressure: How Authoritarian Regimes React To International Sanctions
sm@simonmachalek.comWhat an interesting journey it has been. As an international student, I came to University of Washington by myself across half of the world in order to pursue my dreams and advance in my career. Now that I am done with my studies here, I cannot describe how interesting and how beneficial was my time in Seattle.
All 4 years shaped who I am today, but the most defining experience was definitely the Honors program, through which I had the time and opportunity to work with amazing people and really focus on what interests me the most. The resulting thesis, which examines how authoritarians react to international sanctions and how they cope with the effects, has revealed to me what are my true passions and what I want to focus on in the future. To me, this is priceless and I am grateful for the opportunity I was given.
Although it feels unreal, it's time to leave Seattle and move on to the next chapter. In Fall I will begin studies at the Georgetown University, where I will pursue a master's degree in Security Studies. I cannot wait to continue in my path forward.