Turistica@World blog

Postdoctoral fellowship programme in Skopje

Postdoctoral fellowship programme at Center for Advanced and Postdoctoral Research at University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje

My mentor at the doctoral study, Associate Professor Ddr. Metod Šuligoj, has forwarded me information on an exciting opportunity for further scientific development - the Center for Advanced and Postdoctoral Research (CAPRIS) at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius (UKIM) in Skopje, North Macedonia, is inviting young postdoctoral researchers to join the postdoctoral fellowship programme. This involves developing and submitting an interdisciplinary research proposal focused on innovative social and urban models, intending to create a more sustainable global future.

This opportunity immediately appealed to me, and I was very thankful to my mentor for sharing his rich knowledge and experiences with different successful research proposals. This sharing helped structure my research proposal and the knowledge I gained from other professors during my PhD programme, Innovative Tourism, at the Faculty for Tourism Studies (Turistica), University of Primorska. I recently completed my PhD under the mentorship of Ddr Metod Šuligoj and co-mentorship of Professor Ksenija Vodeb, with the topic titled 'Attitudes of Local Stakeholders Towards the Development of Dark Tourism: An Example of the Heritage of Antifascism of Istria County'. While preparing a research proposal to apply for a fellowship award, I connected dark tourism—specifically, visitors encounter memories of death and the dead —with urban studies. I was excited about this new research direction.

The research proposal began with a comprehensive literature review, revealing a significant gap in studies exploring the intersection of urban and dark tourism, particularly in relation to how non-local visitors consume memorial heritage in capital cities. In post-conflict communities, the revitalization of public spaces often catalyzes the spontaneous development of dark tourism, enabling local residents to share their tragic histories, especially at memorial sites linked to past conflicts. A prime example of this phenomenon is Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which endured a devastating siege in the 1990s. In Sarajevo's urban landscape, dark tourism not only heightens the local community’s sensitivity to its tragic past but also reflects the complex social environment that has emerged. However, despite its potential, dark tourism has yielded insufficient economic benefits and has contributed to the abandonment of urban areas by locals, as the adaptations made for tourists often prioritise their needs over those of the resident population. Concurrently, new tourism trends, such as gastro tourism, have begun to take shape, and tourism has been approaching strategically in Sarajevo. This context presents a unique opportunity to investigate how and to what extent non-local visitors engage with urban dark tourism in Sarajevo, which is the focal research problem. Addressing this issue could lead to valuable recommendations for managing urban dark tourism, based on non-local visitor perspective, whether that involves systematic support or reconsideration of its development. By analyzing social media content, such as reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor, created by non-local visitors, and employing the assistance of Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), the study aims to uncover insights into their consumption patterns. With this interdisciplinary and innovative conceptual and methodological framework, the proposed research aims to contribute to understanding Sarajevo's urban dark tourism while adding to the knowledge of urban dark tourism in capital cities and dark tourism experiences in general, which need more research based on specific contexts.

Due to the proposed research project summarised above and other scientific achievements, I was invited to an interview by the international CAPRIS UKIM Scientific Board members. As a result of the overall evaluation, I was awarded a six-month fellowship at CAPRIS. My research timeline is as follows: I am spending November and December of 2024 at this institution, focusing on my research with CAPRIS's scientific and technical support. This connects me with young researchers in Europe and beyond who are in the same programme and working on their research projects. In January, I will transition into the role of research associate, and CAPRIS will facilitate my visit to Sarajevo University, a partner institution. This opportunity will provide me access to their scientists' knowledge and a firsthand experience of Sarajevo's urban dark tourism.

The planned outcome of this project is to publish a paper in a high-ranking journal or present my work at a renowned international scientific conference. In these early phases, it is already clear that this research could be expanded by further analysing the dark tourism experiences in Sarajevo's urban area. This analysis would help understand how non-local visitors to Sarajevo's urban dark tourism can transform perspectives and foster tolerance, contributing to a society that prevents future tragedies.

As I approach the end of this short report, I would like to express my gratitude to the management and colleagues at the Faculty of Economics and Tourism Dr. Mijo Mirković in Pula, Croatia, where I work, for their understanding of the importance of developing young scientists and for supporting my stay at a foreign scientific institution. I am thankful to the academic and teaching staff of Turistica for their dedication to doctoral candidates, helping them develop critical research skills, embrace interdisciplinary solutions, and become independent researchers capable of impactful academic work in their future endeavours. Finally, I am also thankful to the CAPRIS management for recognising the value of my project and awarding me a fellowship.

It is fitting to conclude my report by noting that the people of Skopje are exceptionally kind and open. The local gastronomy is diverse and rich. I am particularly captivated by the city's multilayered architecture and the wealth of monumental forms that reflect its dynamic history and the interplay of various influences. Several museums in Skopje are related to dark tourism, as the local community collectively remembers the tragedies associated with the 1963 earthquake, alongside the history of the Jewish community that inhabited the city before the Holocaust and other tragic events related to World War II. Thus, significant opportunities exist for future research, which considers the sensitivities of the local community, and focuses on Skopje's urban area and the tourist consumption of its memorial heritage. I am also grateful to the CAPRIS management for their willingness to support my future scientific endeavours in this direction.

I hope this text motivates young researchers to pursue their ambitions, work hard, embrace challenges, and collaborate, as opportunities are limitless. I would love to share more about my experiences, so please feel free to reach out at any time.

Greetings from Skopje/Поздрав од Скопје!

Sanja Dolenec

sdolenec@unipu.hr

sanja.dolenec@capris.ukim.edu.mk


Foto: osebni arhiv

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Erasmus v Madridu: raziskovanje španske prestolnice

Tip mobilnosti: študij

Naziv gostujoče institucije in kraj: University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid


Tri priporočila:

1. Pridružite se Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in City Life Madrid. To sta dve glavni študentski organizaciji, ki vam bosta v veliko pomoč pri reševanju izzivov, s katerimi se boste srečali med letom. Ponujata široko paleto študentskih popustov, organizirata številne izlete in prirejata zabave.

2. Drugi: Bodite potrpežljivi pri urejanju dokumentacije in pisanju e-pošte, saj se lahko zgodi, da boste na odgovore čakali več tednov. Vse to je del španske kulture, ki se osredotoča na uživanje v trenutku in sproščen pristop k življenju.

3. Tretji: Preživite čim več časa z drugimi Erasmus študenti in domačini ter ustvarite prijateljstva, ki bodo trajala vse življenje.

 Zakaj Španija?

Odšla sem na izmenjavo v Španijo z željo po bogatem kulturnem in jezikovnem doživetju. Madrid ponuja izjemno raznolikost umetnosti, arhitekture in kulinarike, kar sem želela izkusiti na lastne oči. Poleg tega me je privlačila živahna španska kultura, ki je znana po svoji gostoljubnosti in strastnem življenjskem slogu.

O univerzi

Univerza Rey Juan Carlos, ena izmed javnih univerz v Madridu, me je navdušila s kakovostjo svojih predavanj in predavateljev. Moje izkušnje so bile izjemno pozitivne; predavanja so bila zanimiva in poučna, profesorji pa so bili dostopni. Res sem uživala v študiju na tej univerzi.

Nastanitev

Močno priporočam, da si najdete stanovanje blizu univerze. Sama sem bivala v študentskem domu University Residence José Pérez de Vargas, ki je bil neposredno ob univerzi. To mi je znatno povečalo motivacijo za redno obiskovanje predavanj in aktivno sodelovanje v projektih. Če bi se morali voziti na predavanja iz zelo oddaljene lokacije, bi verjetno pogrešali številna predavanja, kar bi bila resnično zamujena priložnost. Imeli boste veliko prostega časa za druge stvari, zato bi bilo škoda zamuditi to izkušnjo.

Bivanje v študentskem domu prinaša številne prednosti. Lahko smo izbirali med polpenzionom in polnim penzionom, kar je bilo izjemno priročno in mi je prihranilo veliko časa pri kuhanju. Poleg tega so enkrat tedensko čistili naše sobe, kar je še dodatno olajšalo vsakodnevne obveznosti. Sobe so bile moderne in nedavno prenovljene.

V domu sem imela tudi priložnost spoznati študente z vsega sveta, kar je bilo odlična izkušnja za mreženje in sklepanje prijateljstev. Edina pomanjkljivost je bila visoka cena – za dvoposteljno sobo je bilo treba odšteti kar 750 evrov na mesec. Kljub temu pa je udobje in praktičnost bivanja v študentskem domu močno prispevalo k prijetni študijski izkušnji.

Stroški

Največji strošek je bila zagotovo soba v študentskem domu, ki je znašala okoli 750 evrov na mesec. Poleg tega sem vsak mesec kupila študentsko vozovnico za javni prevoz za samo 8 evrov.

Ker sem v študentskem domu imela polpenzion, nisem porabila veliko denarja za hrano. Poleg tega so bile cene hrane v trgovinah primerljive s tistimi v Sloveniji, kar mi je olajšalo finančno načrtovanje.

Kulinarika & študentska prehrana

Na univerzi smo imeli dve kavarni, kjer smo si lahko privoščili toplo malico po ugodni ceni. Glede restavracij, jih sicer nisem obiskovala, vendar bi lahko rekla, da so cene primerljive s tistimi v Sloveniji.

Na splošno sem bila zelo zadovoljna s hrano v Španiji. Sestavine so bile podobne tistim, ki sem jih vajena doma, zato nisem imela težav s prilagajanjem.

Urejenost javnega prevoza

Madrid ima res super javni prevoz, ki te zlahka popelje po celotnem mestu. Najbolj uporabna sta metro in avtobusi, ki vozijo vsakih pet do deset minut, kar pomeni, da nikoli ne čakaš dolgo. Če si študent, si lahko omisliš mesečno kartico za samo 8 evrov in se z njo voziš naokrog, kolikor hočeš.

Lokalna kultura, navade, stereotipi in realnost

Španci so zelo prijazni in simpatični, vendar njihova kultura vsakdanjega življenja lahko predstavlja izziv. Večina življenja v Španiji se začne po deveti uri zjutraj; pred tem boste težko našli ljudi na ulicah. Španci so vajeni ostati pokonci pozno v noč, kar lahko spremeni vaš dnevni ritem. Poleg tega ne pozabite na siesto – obdobje v popoldanskem času, ko se veliko trgovin in podjetij zapre za počitek.

 

Zanimivi kraji & aktivnosti

Madrid je živahno mesto, ki ponuja nešteto možnosti za popoldanske dejavnosti in izlete. Poleg tega lahko z vlakom, po ugodnih cenah, raziskujete številna druga mesta po Španiji in doživite raznolikost kulture in pokrajin. Vsekakor pa vam za dodatne izlete svetujem, da imate dodatne prihranke.

Življenje po predavanjih

Univerza sama ponuja ogromno obštudijskih aktivnosti, ki so na voljo brezplačno, saj so del univerzitetnega programa. Poleg tega pa v Madridu nikoli ni dolgčas, saj lahko najdete aktivnosti za vsak okus.

Ne glede na to, ali vas zanima ples, gledališče, šport ali umetnost, v Madridu boste zagotovo našli nekaj zase. Mesto je polno možnosti za zabavo in raziskovanje, kar omogoča bogato izkušnjo študentskega življenja.

PROS & CONS

Pros

  • Navezovanje prijateljstev iz celega sveta
  • Mednarodno okolje
  • Veliko priložnosti za obštudijske aktivnosti
  • Prijetna klima (od septembra do maja)
  • Veliko priložnosti za potavanja
  • Dobra kulinarika

Cons

  • Stroški najemnine so lahko zelo visoki in privatna stanovanja so po navadi v zelo slabem stanju (dobro preverite pogodbo)
  • Obvezno znanje španščine, večina ljudi ne govori angleško, tudi na univerzi ne

 

Ela Uršič

ela.ursic@gmail.com 

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Turistica Around the World Blog - Explore, bring memories and make it happen

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