by Yize Huang, Nazarbayev University
Participating in MARS projects and becoming a visiting scholar at Leiden University is a great pleasure. My name is Yize. I am a PhD candidate from Nazarbayev University’s Eurasian Studies program. My research interests focus on contemporary Chinese migration in Eurasian countries, especially in the past decade, and cross-border mobility in the Belt and Road Initiative context. This interdisciplinary topic can be perceived from various angles. Still, my perspective leans toward political science, trying to explore how the BRI participating countries adjust their migration governance with the increasing cross-border mobility with China. As a country in migration transition, with the existing vast immigration network, the new generation of migration behavior is changing. China has become a new destination of immigration, which leaves a new gap for migration scholars to explore. Why did I choose Leiden as my place of secondment?
Before participating in the MARS project, when I did a literature review on this research topic, I read many research outputs on Belt and Road projects from the Leiden Asian Centre. Some scholars share similar interests, and I am eager to contact and talk with them in person. Then, the MARS project offered me the opportunity to pursue my research. In addition, my host at Leiden University is the political science department, a renowned research institute with worldwide fame that ranks very high globally. I was inspired by the contribution to migration theories from the Netherlands, particularly the switch from a migration receiving countries perspective started here in academic discussions.
Preparing for visiting is the first challenge with the visa application and seeking accommodation. I put my experience as an international migrant, which gives me a more vivid understanding of what people face when they are involved in global traveling. As an international student at my home university in Kazakhstan, I am a non-national of the country. I need to figure out how to apply for a Schengen visa in a third country to go to the Netherlands. It was not my first time to travel to the Schengen Zone, though I still have to familiarize myself with the category and required documents for my visit this time. I chose to submit all application material in my home country, China. Due to the holiday season, the process took a while. Such a procedure for me is intuitive to get the knowledge through self-taught. I also observed that an entire business is built around visa applications, and how people from the Global South use formal and informal practices to access their destinations. And how the authorities update their control policies to deal with the potential risks of visa fraud. Another challenge is seeking accommodation in Leiden. As a university town, the short supply of accommodation is a problem for those who want to pursue their academic goals in Leiden. And the newcomers, well-informed by such a situation, know that there is a team to assist students and staff in looking for a place, but the needs can not be fully satisfied. Realizing such a situation, I turned to the existing immigration networks: the Chinese international students’ community in Leiden. Luckily, I met another PhD student in Chemistry, who would like to host me in his apartment. New migrants to an unfamiliar place seeking help from their compatriots is always the first option. The information sharing is crucial for the newcomers to settle down and integrate shortly.
Leiden University provides the same level of help for scholars, regardless of whether they are short—or long-term. Guest researchers can get full access to all university facilities and libraries on both campuses in Leiden and The Hague. It was Leiden University’s 450th anniversary when I arrived at the beginning of February. A parade was held in front of the academic building. Leiden University and the town integrate with windmills and canals, and no fence separates the campus from the public; nearly all university buildings are open to the public.
I closely worked with the political science and area studies departments during my visit. The political science secretariat is arranged in a flexible office for all temporary, visiting researchers and lecturers to work there. A lounge on the same floor allows all staff to talk, grab coffee, and have lunch together. It is a more extensive department compared with my home university, and the research focuses on covering nearly all aspects of political science and international relations. In the Hague, another branch of the department benefits from the location and its importance in global affairs, especially in the field of International Law, which has put this department at the forefront of political science. For PhD students, there is a monthly PhD seminar, which usually invites senior researchers to talk about specific topics or give advice on job-seeking skills. Multiple workshops are also held each week. There is a particular one focused on migration studies. It is an interdisciplinary seminar, and I met scholars across the humanities and social sciences. By attending such academic activities, what impressed me the most was how researchers have already used Large Language Models and other AI tools to update their research approaches, especially in the design of comparative studies. Indeed, this marks the future direction of social science research; the AI tools can assist researchers to achieve what previous research designs could not.
I was invited to deliver a short presentation on my research at the Leiden Political Economy Group (L-PEG) research seminar. The theme was introduced to the audience on my general research topic on the dynamics of migration trends between China and Central Asia under Belt and Road cooperation. They briefly went through the ongoing migration policy reform in Kazakhstan. I was happy to see that many audiences showed their great interest in what is happening in Central Asia and its Eastern neighbor. Lots of valuable questions and feedback were received from faculty and students. Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) has a significant team on China studies; I was surprised by the scale and how deeply their researchers go into China; they covered various aspects, from the art market to history in a particular dynasty. From professors to students, their Chinese is at an almost working proficiency level. As an area studies researcher, I believe that the language skills of the target country are a must-have for conducting high-quality research.
Time flies in Leiden. When the secondment came to an end, I would like to say that such an experience was unforgettable and fruitful for me. As an entry-level researcher, this secondment allowed me to see the research frontier in migration studies at a world-leading university, which contributes to the generous support offered by the MARS projects. Hereby, I express my gratitude to the MARS team, who take care of the logistical issues of this visit. I am also thankful to Dr. Natter, who is my host in Leiden’s political science department, as well as Dr. Ennis from the Institute of Area Studies, for your support.
