I spent the first 20 years of my life in Bulgaria. In 2000, I moved to the US to complete my BA at Cornell University. Since then I have also earned an MA in Public Administration. I’m currently pursuing a PhD in the Government Department at Cornell University.  My research agenda lies at the intersection of domestic politics and international relations in modern Europe, both Eastern and Western. I pay particular attention to a number of issues related to democracy and democratization, ranging from the democratic peace, democracy assistance, and transnational democracy advocacy networks to civil society, protest politics, and local government.