15.03.2025
A Journey from Lund to Beijing: Crossing Continents, Pursuing Dreams
Spending a semester abroad is an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, immerse yourself in a new culture, and see the world from a different perspective. For Valerio, studying at Tsinghua University in Beijing was more than just an academic pursuit—it was a journey of discovery, filled with thought-provoking discussions, cultural encounters, and personal growth. In this interview, he shares his experiences navigating university life in China, from the classroom to the bustling streets of Beijing. He reflects on the challenges of adapting to a new academic environment, the friendships formed along the way, and the moments that made this exchange truly unforgettable. Whether you’re considering studying abroad or simply curious about life as an international student in China, his story offers valuable insights and inspiration.
15.03.2025
Exchange Journey from Denmark to Sweden: A Semester at Lund, A Story Unfolds
Studying abroad is more than just an academic endeavor—it’s a journey of discovery, growth, and new perspectives. In this interview, Trisha, a Master's student in Migration Studies at the University of Copenhagen, shares her experience of spending a semester at Lund University in Sweden. She reflects on what drew her to Migration Studies, the unexpected opportunity that led her to Lund, and how the exchange reshaped her academic and personal outlook. From navigating cultural differences to building meaningful connections, Trisha’s story offers a candid and insightful look into the realities of studying abroad. Whether you’re considering an exchange yourself or simply curious about life at Lund, her reflections provide an inspiring glimpse into the transformative power of international education.
15.03.2025
Multicultural Society and the conditions of acceptance of foreigners in the modern South Korea
Does the politics of multiculturalism always foster cosmopolitan views and reshape national identity? South Korea faces a declining birth rate and labor shortages in key sectors, prompting the government to encourage migration and international marriages. However, while policies supporting foreign integration aim to promote multiculturalism, they can sometimes unintentionally reinforce discrimination rather than inclusivity. In this context, what strategies are most effective in fostering genuine tolerance and acceptance?
15.03.2025
He Zhen & the Challenge to Sinologism: Rethinking Chinese Feminism
Sinologism, a framework that distorts Chinese culture and feminism through Western paradigms, often misrepresents Chinese traditions, gender relations, and philosophies. He Zhen critiques both Confucian patriarchy and Western feminist ideologies, exposing their limitations in addressing China’s unique socio-political context. Her anarcho-feminist philosophy emphasizes rejecting traditional gender roles and advocating for a localized feminist movement. By challenging these distortions, He Zhen offers a rethinking of feminism through a distinctly Chinese lens, presenting valuable strategies for decolonizing feminist discourse and fostering approaches rooted in cultural specificity and collective liberation.
15.12.2024
Beyond Boundaries: The Role of Decolonial and Postcolonial Approaches in Asian Studies
This academic essay considers what decolonial and postcolonial approaches mean in the context of Asian Studies and how it offers an alternative mode of understanding the region’s place in the world and in knowledge production. In particular, it addresses how the current knowledge environment continues to reflect hegemonic modes of knowledge production, prioritising dominant discourse, values, and canon that has historically emerged from the ‘West’. While it is not to say that this knowledge is not valuable or does not have a place in the future of Asian Studies, decolonial and postcolonial approaches seek to empower scholars from the region to see value in their research and discourses, advocate for theories emerging from the region, and shift to a more Asia-centric approach to studying Asian Studies.
