Jessica Talks Living & Learning Abroad Pt. III
This is part III of our interview with Jessica Evangelista, an educator and doctoral student in Paris, France.
By Norrell Edwards — October 27, 2023
This is part III of our interview with Jessica Evangelista, an educator and doctoral student in Paris, France. In this last section, Jessica shares her research as an upcoming doctoral student at a French institution, her future career trajectory as an educator abroad, and advice for students. Please remember this interview reflects solely Jessica Evangelista's opinions and insights; this interview does not reflect the thoughts, feelings, or opinions of any past, present or future client, employer or any other entity affiliated with Jessica Evangelista.
Pursuing a Connected History
Dr. Norrell Edwards:
What is your PhD project, and why does it entail so much archival work?Jessica:
I study non-state actors. I study different forms of anarchism. I want to examine the Maroons and their different organizing methods because it has anarchist qualities. Maroon is most often used in reference to enslaved Africans who escaped and lived in their communities in the mountains or far off the government's reach.J:
The first part of the project is to understand how Maroons worked to avoid state policies, and then the second part is to reconceptualize how we look at anarchy. I want to visit archives to study people who didn't have access to anarchist philosophies and ideologies that existed in books. They were still practicing a kind of anarchy that wasn't informed by traditional ideas of the word. I am interested in various examples of folks organizing and working on their terms away from the government. I'm still working to improve the terminology.J:
I am doing a connected history between Spain and the Dominican Republic. I am looking at a network of people and how they moved and connected. I also want to use some specific mapping software. I am interested in getting a landscape of different forms of organizing. In the Dominican Republic, for a long time, people could still sustain themselves on their land. That is why Haitian migrant workers were brought in to work the land. The main archives I'll visit will be in Spain, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.Discovering New Cities and Histories
N:
That project sounds really awesome and interesting! I know with this project, you're thinking about moving to Spain next.J:
My PhD is with Casa De Veláquez, which is a French institution that is also a research hub. It is also part of the EF:-Écoles française à l'étranger network. Casa De Veláquez has two components: The Académie de France in Madrid and the École de hautes études hispaniques et ibériques (EHEHI). So, I will be going back and forth between here and Spain. I think I'd like to keep my connection to France, but I'm increasingly interested in living in Spain, and I can really see myself there next.J:
I lived in Paris for eight years now, and a lot of that wonder and magic of discovering a new city is gone. I applied for nationality in Spain, so hopefully, that comes through, and then I can go anywhere in the European Union (EU) with that.N:
So, what are you imagining for yourself after the PhD?J:
In France, you only get PhD funding for three years, and that's it. Some universities might vary with an extra fourth year, but that's rare.N:
Three years is short! In the U.S., Ph.D. funding—if it's funded tends to be five years and sometimes an optional six. Humanities and Social Science Ph.D. programs here often take much longer, like 7-10 years, depending on several factors. It is so much different than pursuing a Bachelor's degree.J:
Yea, career-wise, I'm not thinking too much ahead. I could return to France and get a position as an Attachè temporaire d'enseignement et de recherche ater. This is a kind of full-time research position. Right now, I'm just thinking about having a good time in Spain. I want to focus on researching and going to the archives. I can always bounce back and forth between Spain and France.Universal Higher Education Advice
N:
Is there any advice you'd give your past self or to students in general about moving through higher education?J:
The biggest advice I'd tell myself is to relax. I had so much anxiety and was so worried about what was going on and what I would do. I guess not relaxing helped me get to where I am now.J:
Don't take academia so seriously. Folks come in feeling like they have to do everything. Know your value and your worth. You're at an institution to bring valuable thoughts and knowledge to that place—don't let certain etiquettes that are classist and racist oppress you. It's hard, but try not to internalize those things.J:
I've always handed in everything late. I don't know how to manage my time well, but I get it done. I've always been honest with my professors about that. We need more researchers with different mentalities coming in and changing academia. We need new ideas. Don't anyone make you feel 'less than.' We need people with different perspectives, not just those who did 'everything right' or 'so well' and 'so right.'J:
I didn't realize when I was in college I was going through so many issues like depression and anxiety; I just had no idea. Looking back, I'm like, oh, of course, I couldn't handle the coursework. I was going through some serious mental health struggles, and those needed to be addressed.Major Takeaways
Jessica is pursuing a research project that aligns with her affiliated institution. Finding alignment with an advisor and institution is critical for a successful doctoral journey. Jessica is not too worried about the future but instead takes a more relaxed approach to living in the moment to enjoy learning and research. Jessica advises students not to be too hard on themselves or internalize the harms of institutions. Remember that your voice and perspective are needed.
Norrell Edwards
Norrell Edwards is a scholar, educator, and communications consultant for non-profit organizations. Her employment experience and research interests place her work at the nexus of global Black identity, cultural memory, and social justice. Norrell graduated with a BA in English Literature from Hunter’s College followed by a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park in 20th and 21st Century Black Diaspora Literature.
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