How did your time at ICM prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of PhD research?

Before ICM, I never imagined I would pursue a PhD. In fact, when applying to the ICM programme, the requirement to write an MA thesis felt a bit daunting, as I hadn’t particularly enjoyed writing my BA thesis during my undergraduate studies. However, the experience at ICM was transformative for me. ICM offers us the freedom to choose thesis topics that align with our personal interests, paired with close support from our course leasers who are very knowledgeable in their fields.

This combination of freedom and guidance allowed me to select a topic I was genuinely passionate about, which made me deeply committed to my research. After defending my MA thesis, I realised how much I had enjoyed the entire process: writing a literature review to expand my knowledge on a topic I cared about, connecting with people through interviews, analysing my data to discover meaningful themes, and—most importantly—feeling like my work could contribute to society.

Still, pursuing a PhD wasn’t something I would have considered without the support and encouragement of the course leaders, Alexander Frame and David Bousquet. They believed in my potential to continue developing my research skills and to explore a topic close to my heart on a deeper level through a doctoral study.

How did your time at ICM prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of PhD research?

During my first year at ICM, we had plenty of time to explore research topics that really interested us. Especially, the many guest lectures gave me so many ideas for my own studies. On top of this, we received many classes on research methods and research philosophy. I still go back to the notes I took during those sessions whenever I need to double-check my approach! Moreover, my research is also closely connected to what I learned at ICM. For instance, my understanding of intercultural communication was developed during the Master’s programme, and many of the academic resources we gained at ICM have continued to be invaluable throughout my PhD.

Could you describe your research area and any exciting findings or milestones you’ve achieved so far?

My PhD research is very much aligned with what I studied at ICM. It focuses on the internationalisation of higher education and the development of intercultural communication competence among students. Specifically, I take Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes as my object of study, exploring how these programmes can serve as a vector for enhancing such competencies. The ultimate aim of my research is to create a pedagogical guide for teachers and organisers looking to implement these programmes while also considering broader internationalisation objectives.

There have been several exciting milestones since my start of my PhD. For example, I have published an academic paper together with my two supervisors and had the amazing opportunity to write 5 chapters for several Routledge volumes! One of these chapters is a single-authored paper which specifically focuses on my PhD research. Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to present my preliminary findings on the IALIC (International Association for Languages and Intercultural Communication) conference.

What advice would you offer to ICM students considering pursuing a PhD?

My advice to ICM students considering a PhD would be to focus on your MA thesis and make the most of the research classes throughout the programme—they will provide you with a solid foundation. I would also recommend reaching out to current PhD students to learn more about what it’s really like to pursue a doctorate.

Embarking on a PhD is an incredibly journey, but it’s important to recognise that the journey can be challenging, so you’ll need to be highly motivated and dedicated to your research. One key piece of advice is to network with professors to find a supervisor who is not only knowledgeable about your area of interest but also shares a similar research approach to yours.

Finally, if anyone would like to have a chat with me about pursuing a PhD, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d be more than happy to share my experiences!

How has being a part of the academic community impacted your personal and professional development?

I’m not entirely sure what the future holds, but I’m confident that this experience will benefit me in all aspects of my life. Not only have I built a strong academic network, but I have also gained invaluable professional experience. Moreover, students are at the heart of my research, and engaging with them—whether through various Blended Intensive Programmes or teaching—has given me so many new perspectives. These interactions have been incredibly enriching and have shaped both my research and personal growth.