Colin Martin

Sunset in Burovoye/Burabay National Park, July 2018

How did you hear about EURUS?

EURUS was recommended to me by my professors at the University of Lethbridge while I was an undergraduate student. I wished to pursue Central Eurasian studies, and there are very few programs in Canada with experts on this region. EURUS stood out due to its Central Eurasian focus and, in combination with a multidisciplinary approach towards achieving academic and professional success, I quickly decided that EURUS would be the best program for me.

What are some reasons you chose to do your MA at EURUS?

One of the main reasons I chose to do a MA at EURUS was the faculty. The diverse faculty at EURUS offered both the regional focus that I wanted to pursue as well as the disciplinary flexibility to approach the region from many different disciplinary approaches. In addition, studying in Ottawa offers unique professional opportunities to meet and learn about various careers in the academic, public, and private sectors. I wished to gain experience in the public and private sectors while continuing my academic studies, something that EURUS was uniquely positioned to encourage.

What is your main area of focus in your MA?

My area of focus is Central Eurasian history and politics. Specifically, I focus on the history of Russian colonization in Central Asia during the Imperial and Soviet periods through methods of intellectual imperialism.

What do you enjoy about EURUS?

My greatest source of enjoyment in EURUS has been the variety of opportunities EURUS provides me as a graduate student and developing professional. As a graduate student, EURUS provides a vigorous intellectual environment including faculty and fellow students which has led my own research in new, exciting directions. The combinations of different disciplinary approaches, the variety of areas of focus, and the high caliber of faculty and students drawn to EURUS cannot be sufficiently praised. As a developing professional, EURUS has challenged me to develop connections in the academic, public, and private sectors in Ottawa and elsewhere. Being a Masters student at EURUS has honed my research and writing skills towards meaningful, fulfilling employment within my field of study.

What is something valuable the program has helped you with?

EURUS has helped me develop my academic and professional skills simultaneously. Through a rich, rewarding intellectual environment at EURUS my ability to write and research, both academically and professionally, has improved tremendously. Most importantly, EURUS assists in providing opportunities for its students to succeed in whichever field of study they specialize in, and provides the toolkit required for a variety of different and exciting careers in Ottawa and elsewhere.

What abroad programs or classes, co-op positions, or internships have you have done since joining EURUS?

I have participated in two Russian language immersion programs while attending EURUS as well as interning with the Canadian Red Cross. Both Russian language immersion programs were hosted in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which allowed me to gain valuable language experience as well as “putting my boots on the ground,” so to speak, in my region of study. The connections and insights that I gained while in Kazakhstan continue to inform my own studies and professional work.

My internship at the Canadian Red Cross further developed my professional research and analytical skills as I successfully conducted an independent research project titled “Innovation and Humanitarian Operations in Asia.” This project looked into analyzing innovative methods in providing humanitarian aid in comparative programs in Afghanistan, Myanmar, and the Philippines. This internship was part of a course offered at EURUS which not only worked with the Canadian Red Cross to secure my internship but also helped develop professional research and writing skills which I then applied to this research project. I am immensely grateful to the Canadian Red Cross for the opportunity to join their Asia Team on this important project.

Has EURUS helped your career development?

Definitely. Before arriving at EURUS, I was very unclear about where I intended to go beyond my MA; all I knew was that I broadly wanted to do something Central Eurasian focused! Through both the academic and professional opportunities that EURUS provided me throughout my MA, I am more confident in determining my career and capable in achieving my career goals.

Anything else you would like to add? 

In October 2018, I attended the Central Eurasian Studies Society’s Annual Conference hosted at the University of Pittsburgh. At this conference, I presented a paper titled “‘where is the Registan?’ Imagining Soviet Samarkand in 1930s Travel Writing”, and chaired a panel on Soviet and Post-Soviet History. This was a great opportunity to meet and discuss my field of study with working scholars and professionals, and an event that was immensely impactful on my continued studies.

Colin Martin (EURUS) with Professors Victoria Thorstensson (Nazarbayev Univeristy) and Nurlan Orynbassarovich Dulatbekov (Bolashak University), July 2017. (Photo credit: Bolashak University,)

Colin Martin outside Nazarbayev University, Astana. May 2017