When choosing a doctoral program in the United States, Adrijana Miladino, an international student from Serbia, looked for more than academic reputation. Diversity, mentorship and a sense of community were just as important.
Those factors ultimately led her to The Ohio State University, where she is a PhD student in the Department of Sociology.
Miladino first considered Ohio State after it was recommended by her former supervisor at Keio University in Japan. Having previously studied abroad, she already had a clear sense of what she wanted in a university environment.
“I learned that what I seek in a university environment is a diversity of opinions, cultural knowledge and backgrounds,” she said.
As she researched the sociology department, she found a strong academic fit. Multiple faculty members were studying topics related to her interests, including race, ethnicity, identity and culture.
Although she was unable to visit campus before enrolling, online conversations with faculty and current students helped shape her decision. Those discussions highlighted opportunities to participate in faculty research, build professional networks and collaborate with organizations such as the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity and the Institute for Population Research.
Financial support also played a key role. The funding package made it possible for her to remain at the university for the duration of the program.
Equally important was the sense of inclusion she encountered during the admissions process. Faculty and students spoke openly about the department’s commitment to supporting international scholars through mentorship, research opportunities and funding.
Miladino’s doctoral research now takes her far beyond Columbus. She is currently conducting qualitative fieldwork in Kosovo focused on Kosovo Serbs and how ethnic identity is expressed in everyday life.
Her project examines how daily expressions, or deliberate non-expressions of identity influence interactions with the ethnic Albanian majority and shape perceptions of safety and coexistence in a divided society.
To study these dynamics, she is conducting interviews and observing daily life in multiple settings, including a Serbian-majority city, a mixed-contact city and smaller towns and villages.
Throughout her graduate career, she said mentorship from faculty has been one of her most important resources. Access to research materials through Ohio State’s library system has also been essential for completing her master’s thesis and preparing for candidacy exams.
Teaching support has played a role in her professional development. Programs and workshops through the Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning helped her develop skills as an instructor while teaching undergraduate courses.
Beyond research and teaching, Miladino is actively involved in organizations that support graduate and international students. She currently serves as vice president for international students in the Sociology Graduate Student Association and participates in the International Students Affairs Committee.
She is also part of the leadership board of the English Conversation Program through Ohio State’s Office of International Affairs and previously served as treasurer of the Institute for Population Research Graduate Student Organization.
Being involved in these groups allows her to turn her commitment to international students and intercultural exchange into practical support.
One of her favorite memories at Ohio State is the sociology department’s second-year poster presentation, where graduate students present early research projects and connect with faculty and peers.
Students spend the afternoon discussing their research with visitors before the department gathers for an annual celebration at the Ohio State University Faculty Club.
For prospective international students, Miladino emphasizes the importance of preparation and building connections early.
“The most important thing is to really explore what the university has to offer and whether that is something you need or want,” she said.
She also encourages students not to navigate graduate school alone.
“Introduce yourself to people early, go to department events, attend seminars and use campus resources,” she said.
Adjusting to a new academic culture, she added, takes time.
“It’s completely normal for the first semester or two, or three, to feel like a learning curve,” she said. “It certainly was for me.”