Meet Kseniia Nikolaeva

Kseniia is 28 years old and from Russia

She did her Bachelor’s in Saint Petersburg State University and MSc in Social Psychology at Higher School of Economics in Moscow

Her main interests are: Identity and belief systems, subclinical dark traits, and the intersection of social and political psychology with individual differences

You can reach her out on her LinkedIn

 

What inspired you to pursue the IDA Master program?

I’ve always been deeply curious about the human mind – why people think, feel, and act the way they do. Psychology is still a relatively young discipline, with many unanswered questions about human behavior. Exploring those unknowns felt both intellectually exciting and meaningful to me. A research master’s program seemed like the best possible way to develop the skills and mindset needed for a career in psychological science.

What motivates you to pursue this field of study, and what personal significance or purpose do you find in it?

I believe that understanding people and the forces that shape their thoughts and behaviors is the first step toward improving their lives – both individually and collectively. I’m particularly interested in how individual differences relate to people’s beliefs and attitudes -in other words, the social side of personality. Understanding these patterns can help us explain why individuals adopt certain worldviews and, ultimately, inform more effective social policies and interventions that make life better for everyone.

Which field do you see yourself pursuing after completing the program?

Ideally, I would like to pursue a PhD. I’m very motivated to continue doing research, but of course, it depends on whether a position opens up that aligns with my specific interests. At the same time, I am also interested in roles that sit at the intersection between research and practice — for example, working in social policy, consulting, or within European institutions.

Looking at the program schedule, which course(s) are you most excited about and why?

I particularly enjoyed my Traineeships, they allow you to work on a topic of your own interest together with leading researchers in the field. It’s a unique opportunity to learn directly from experts and to get a realistic sense of what doing a PhD is like. Another highlight for me was the possibility to take electives outside the program. The elective I took in the Social and Behavioral Sciences track helped me bridge the gap between individual differences and the broader social context, which is something I find especially important and inspiring.

Do you ever feel stressed or under pressure in your studies? How do you manage those challenges? Would you like to share some tips?

Absolutely! This program can be quite stressful, especially if you don’t come in with a strong background in some of the subjects. There are moments when the workload feels overwhelming. When that happens, I try to break big tasks into smaller, very manageable steps. Finishing even tiny parts and crossing them off my to-do list gives me a real sense of progress and helps me stay motivated (instant dopamine boost!).

What motivates you to keep going when things get tough?

Honestly, sometimes the biggest motivation is simply remembering that the toughest part – the first semester – is already behind me! 😊

But beyond that, what keeps me going is reminding myself why I started this program in the first place. Even during stressful periods, I can see how much I’m growing, how many new skills I’m gaining, and how each challenge actually moves me closer to the kind of work I want to do in the future.

How do you see the skills and knowledge from the IDA Master being applied in the real world?

From the very first classes, I noticed how strongly the program encourages us to think critically rather than take knowledge for granted. In almost every course, we are asked to critically evaluate the readings – both theoretically and methodologically – which really sharpens your ability to spot limitations and rely only on the most trustworthy papers in your own work.
At the same time, we gain many concrete, transferable skills. A large part of the program focuses on methodology and statistics, and those hard skills can be applied far beyond academia, in any field where data-driven decision making is important.

What do you enjoy most about collaborating with your peers, supervisors, or being part of the IDA community?

I was very lucky to make great friends on this program – we share common interests, internal jokes and, of course, going together through such a challenging program is making our bond even stronger 🙂
I also can’t emphasize enough how rewarding conversations with professors are. I truly enjoy discussing not only scientific questions with them, but also broader topics like societal changes and processes.

How would you describe your relationship with the faculty in the IDA program? How does this influence your overall learning experience?

I’ve had the chance to work closely with several faculty members throughout the program, and what I appreciate most is how knowledgeable and passionate they are about their fields. In my traineeship, especially, I built a very meaningful connection with my supervisor – collaborating with someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about their research made the experience deeply inspiring and motivating.

How would you describe an “IDA Student”? What common qualities do they share, and who do you think is best suited for this program?

Curiosity, critical thinking and strong analytical mind – and I am sure that combination of those allows them to succeed in IDA.

Is there anything you wish you had known before starting that would have made your journey smoother, and what advice (or tip) would you give to someone just beginning the program?

I would definitely recommend refreshing your knowledge in biology and quantitative methods before starting. If you didn’t have psychometrics in your bachelor’s, it’s worth getting familiar with the core concepts, even at an introductory level. The pace of the first semester is extremely fast, and with all the classes, ongoing assignments, and major projects, it becomes very difficult to keep up if your knowledge of these subjects is only at a basic level. Refreshing key concepts beforehand makes a big difference, because there is very little time to revisit fundamentals once the semester begins.

If you are coming to the Netherlands from abroad, I’d also advise arranging long-term housing well in advance. The housing situation in the Netherlands is extremely competitive, especially for international students, and securing accommodation can be a very stressful process.