Turistica@World blog

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

Tri priporočila:

1. Madrid ima poseben ritem – dan se začne pozneje, kosilo je okoli 14.00, večerja pa šele po 21.00. Če niste jutranji tip, se boste hitro navadili na poznejši začetek dneva.
2. Mesto je odprto in mednarodno, vendar se lahko sprva počutite osamljeno. Najlažje se vključite v življenje prek lokalov, dogodkov in Erasmus društev (npr. ESN), ki organizirajo izlete, večerje in zabave.
3. Madrid je varen, a pazite na torbe, mobilne telefone in denarnice – žepni tatovi so najpogostejši v metroju, na trgih in v turističnih predelih.

O univerzi University Rey Juan Carlos

Študij poteka v sodobnem in dinamičnem okolju. Predavanja v manjših skupinah omogočajo osebni pristop profesorjev, program pa je praktično usmerjen, kar pripomore k boljšim izkušnjam in pripravi na prihodnje izzive.

Nastanitev

Priporočam nastanitev blizu univerze, a ne predaleč od centra. Sama sem živela približno 30 minut izven središča, kar je pomenilo vsakodnevno uporabo metroja, vendar sem plačevala le 450 EUR/mesec – ugodno glede na razmere v Madridu. Živela sem s sostanovalci, kar je bilo odlično za druženje. Zaradi oddaljenosti je bil prevoz včasih naporen, a cena in udobje sta bila vredna kompromisa. Če bi živela v centru, bi imela več priložnosti za uživanje v mestnem utripu, zato priporočam lokacijo med centrom in univerzo.

Stroški

Najemnina (450 EUR/mesec) je največji strošek. Študentska mesečna vozovnica stane le 8 EUR in omogoča neomejeno vožnjo z metrojem in avtobusi. Za hrano sem porabila približno 30 EUR na teden, saj sem večinoma kuhala doma, občasno pa jedla zunaj, kjer so cene dostopne.

Kultura in navade

Španci so družabni, pogosto večere preživljajo v barih ob tapasih. Življenje se začne pozneje, jutra so mirna, ulice pa zaživijo po 9. uri. Stereotipi o brezskrbnem življenju in večnem plesu so le delno resnični, Španci so tudi zelo delavni in organizirani.

Zanimivi kraji in aktivnosti

Parque del Retiro je čudovit za sprehode in vožnjo s čolnom. Puerta del Sol je srce mesta, Museo del Prado je must-see za ljubitelje umetnosti, Gran Vía pa za ljubitelje nakupov. Templo de Debod nudi čudovit razgled ob sončnem zahodu. Malasaña in Chueca sta središči nočnega življenja, San Miguel Market ponuja lokalne dobrote, El Rastro pa je ogromna nedeljska tržnica. Iz Madrida se lahko po ugodnih cenah odpravite tudi v Barcelono, Valencio, Sevillo ali Bilbao.

Življenje po predavanjih

Madrid ponuja nešteto možnosti, od večerov ob tapasih in sprehodov po parku, do muzejev, koncertov in nočnega življenja. Študenti se radi ukvarjajo tudi s športom (tek, kolesarjenje, fitnes). Prosti čas je enako pester kot študij.

Avtorica: Tinkara Vidoni - tinkaravidoni@gmail.com 

Foto: osebni arhiv

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.

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