Unleashing Curiosity To Uncover New Frontiers
From a relatively young age, Kika Van Robays (they/them) was always a curious learner with a keen interest in linguistics and Chinese culture. Their zest and demeanour led many to surmise that Kika would always take the path of an academic.
Later, when they started their studies in Chinese culture and language at a university in Belgium, they found a niche that ignited a spark.
“As I continued my university studies, I realised that that was really my thing!” they said. “If I continue in academia, I really hope to be able to teach and guide other students in finding more experiences and knowledge and discovery.”
From then on, Kika’s passion for linguistics and journey to self-discovery has been their driving force.
“I was always very interested in linguistics, I wanted to learn more about that, while also discovering myself as a queer person, I guess these two things kind of grew simultaneously,” Kika said.
Growing a passion
As Kika continued their undergraduate studies, they began to take courses in gender studies and diversity, eventually developing a keen interest in the study of zines, which are typically known as DIY self-published works.
“Today, my research involves zines, queer communities, and a whole culture I have been exploring throughout my childhood and adolescence,” they said. “By interacting with this cultural object in such a specific context that up to now has not been researched widely, I am able to contribute valuable input academically and socially.”
Kika notes that it is particularly interesting because zines have a language component to it. And by studying the media, it allows them to look at contemporary matters through a different lens.
“I am interested in what is happening right now, and I am interested in the research into this media,” they explained.
The right place at the right time
Given that their research was so niche, Kika said it wasn’t easy finding the right programme that would help them pursue their interests and fulfil their dream of living in Hong Kong. But if luck would have it, they came across the PhD programme in Cultural Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and decided to apply for it.
“I had a supervisor who referred me to a professor in Cultural Studies who was coincidentally also from Belgium. We got in touch and that’s when I started applying for the programme,” they explained. And Kika has never looked back.
A supportive environment
Kika cites many reasons why they decided to do their PhD at CUHK, but says it was the Cultural Studies department that really caught their attention. Aside from having the freedom to explore contemporary and relevant topics, Kika says that supervisors were particularly helpful and supportive in their area of study.
“I enjoy having the freedom to talk to other professors and not just those in the Cultural Studies department. Also, the atmosphere is open and friendly so we can have conversations at times about other things aside from research,” they said.
Another thing that has made a key difference to their experience at CUHK, is the care and support Kika has received outside of academia. Given that this was their first time in Hong Kong away from home for a longer period, they had to find a way to settle in. Nevertheless, the University provides an abundance of resources to help international students, so they tell others not to worry.
“The CUHK counselling services on campus and the multicultural counselling services are excellent, especially the one through St John’s have made a real difference. I’ve been going there for one year now and it’s very helpful,” Kika said.
Owning the learning experience
Taking a step back and looking at their experience as a whole, Kika has no regrets and says that CUHK is primed to offer an exceptional learning experience. But they also said that it is ultimately up to the student to make the most of their time there and to explore life outside of academia.
“I think that if you really want to learn and be motivated, CUHK is where you want to be,” they said. “The teachers at CUHK are motivated to teach and they will help you get to where you want to go in your career.”
Below showcase some of the photos that Kika shot during their student life in Hong Kong. They also have an Instagram page where they collected photos of displaced chairs: https://www.instagram.com/dischaired/.
