With increasing collaboration across academia, opportunities for scholars to study beyond their home institutions have become an important part of doctoral training. Through a PhD fellowship at a host university, doctoral candidates can gain access to new research environments, valuable resources, and international networks. This was also the experience of Emina Rekanovic, whose fellowship abroad provided both academic and personal growth.
Emina Rekanovic is a PhD Candidate enrolled at the University of Ljubljana - Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Translation studies - and currently in the last year of her studies. She spent two months, February and March, at the University of Vienna on a CEEPUS scholarship. The Centre for Translation Studies (ZTW) hosted her as a doctoral fellow where she worked on her research and thesis.
Her research is grounded in the sociology of translation and explores the position of translators in a micro society. Through her research, she tries to bring attention to those who stand behind translations and their role in connecting cultures. She tries to answer questions such as what factors influence the work of translators and how they construct their professional reality. During her stay, she conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with ten participants, and analysed an extensive dataset collected throughout her research. These accomplishments significantly advanced the progress of her thesis and quality of her study.
While in residence, Rekanovic visited several higher institutions and libraries - The Centre for Translation Studies (ZTW), Main Library of the University of Vienna, Department library of German studies, Library of English and American Studies, Library of Art History Studies, Vienna University of Technology. Apart from this, exchanging opinions and engaging in conversations with fellow academics was a valuable part of her stay. Different perspectives always bring new understandings of research questions and develop more comprehensive academic conclusions.
Participating in a PhD fellowship at a guest university goes beyond academic advancement; it is a holistic experience that shapes the scholar’s professional identity and personal development. Candidates learn to navigate diverse academic environments, collaborate with international colleagues, and adapt to new cultural norms. These experiences cultivate resilience, independence, and cross-cultural communication skills, all of which are highly valued competencies in both academic and non-academic career paths.
Apart from academic involvement, Rekanovic had a chance to explore Vienna and visited several galleries, museums, opera houses and managed to experience the cultural capital of Europe. She would recommend Vienna to everyone – “It was such a wonderful experience that helped me grow in so many different ways. I will always cherish the memories and lessons it gave me, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone! Moreover, I hope to have another opportunity to study or work in academia abroad, possibly again in Vienna. I am deeply grateful to the OeAD for the opportunity given.”
