I am Wiame Ihedrane, currently pursuing a PhD at Dhar El Mahraz University of Fez. My research is titled "Sub-Saharan African Migrants between Transit Aspirations and European Union Migration Pressures." I hold a Master’s degree in Education and Social Change from Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, a program that equipped me with the analytical and socio-anthropological tools to critically explore the relationship between education systems and broader processes of social transformation.
This academic background enabled me to secure an Erasmus+ scholarship for Leiden University and participate in the international research project Living on the Other Side, where my work focused on the experiences of Sub-Saharan African migrants, first in the Netherlands and later in Morocco.
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced considerable uncertainty, including the risk of delays or even cancellation of the scholarship. Nonetheless, I was able to navigate these challenges with perseverance and consistent support from the academic team. The fieldwork phase was particularly meaningful; meeting migrants, listening to their stories, and gaining direct insights into their lived realities significantly enriched both the human and empirical dimensions of my research.
An especially formative aspect of the experience was living in shared international housing with participants from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. The daily intercultural exchanges fostered mutual respect, enriched my worldview, and deepened my sensitivity to global diversity.
The project concluded with a final presentation synthesizing my contributions and key findings. The thoughtful and encouraging feedback I received—particularly from Professor Nadia Sonneveld and Professor Ahmed El Khatabi—was deeply motivating. I remain sincerely grateful for their mentorship and for the opportunity to contribute to a transformative academic journey that continues to shape both my intellectual and personal development.