From Slovenia to the Netherlands: ASEF Junior Fellow 2025 Hana Podjed Interdisciplinary Exploration of European Integration and Sociolinguistics
Hana Podjed on her research visit at the University of Groningen, Netherlands.
This month, Hana Podjed successfully completed her seven-week research visit to the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, under the mentorship of Dr. Peter Verovšek, Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations.
During her stay, she deepened and expanded her knowledge in the field of political theory and European integration, and connected these insights interdisciplinarily with sociolinguistics and language policy. She focused especially on public discourse and linguistic identity as an element of collective memory.
Following the conclusion of her visit, Hana will continue with empirical research on public discourse, an area crucial for understanding the contemporary dynamics of intercultural integration and international relations.
As part of the “European Integration in a Global Perspective” seminar, which she attended weekly, Hana also participated in regular meetings with the professor’s students. These exchanges further enriched her understanding of diverse perspectives among young individuals from across Europe. At the invitation of her mentor, she also attended an international panel on the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, where she listened to lectures delivered by numerous prominent scholars and legal experts active in the field of European integration and EU law.
In her free time, Hana explored lesser-known areas in the north of the Netherlands and got to know the city of Groningen, which is particularly fascinating from a linguistic point of view.
In addition to Dutch and many global languages spoken by the vibrant international student community, Frisian can also be heard in the city. Frisian is indigenous to the nearby province of Friesland and, while part of the Germanic language family, it is strikingly different from Dutch. This adds further depth to Groningen’s dynamic linguistic landscape.
Hana also visited many attractions, and was particularly impressed by the Forum, a large modern urban cultural center that combines a library, cinema, and common study spaces, providing students with pleasant, freely accessible spaces for learning and networking. During her visit, the Groningen Museum also hosted an exhibition by the famous painter Van Gogh, which she viewed, and she also visited the museum of the University of Groningen. University truly has a rich history and tradition, as it is the second oldest in the country.
Throughout her stay, Hana acquired many new insights and skills under the guidance of Dr. Verovšek, broadening her academic and personal horizons. The experience strengthened her ability to connect knowledge across disciplines and deepened her motivation to continue on her research path. With her curiosity and enthusiasm, she also discovered many hidden gems in the city of Groningen and the surrounding neighbourhood.
She expresses her sincere gratitude to the ASEF Foundation for this enriching and inspiring experience, which represents an important milestone in both her academic and personal development.
Read more about Research Abroad Fellowship here. Follow us for updates, the date for our next call for applications will be announced shortly.