Sebastian Hinder spent three months at the IÉSEG School of Management in Lille as part of a TRR 266 research visit abroad. He reported on his stay in Lille:
'The IÉSEG School of Management is a renowned business school with a strong accounting department. I was very excited when my visiting professor - Christof Beuselinck - invited me to join the department. Christof's research in the field of accounting and taxation largely coincides with my own, and this stay offered me a great opportunity to further develop my independent research project under his supervision.
During my time at IÉSEG, I took part in a variety of academic activities to better immerse myself in the academic life of the department. For example, I presented one of my projects and discussed another project at IÉSEG's annual Accounting Research Day. I further broadened my horizon by attending the European Accounting Review (EAR) conference at IÉSEG's Paris campus, where I was exposed to inspiring, well-crafted research projects that are highly likely to be published in the EAR. On campus, I regularly attended accounting research seminars and the faculty's brown-bag series, and also presented an early-stage research idea in the latter. Outside of the formal events and seminars, I had several one-on-one meetings with local faculty members whose feedback was crucial to the further development of my ongoing projects.
The most valuable lessons I learnt were: Don't get discouraged; people really are willing to help you. Approach people, be open to constructive criticism, ask for feedback and improve your ability to present research findings in a clear, engaging and understandable way.
I highly recommend a research visit to anyone who wants to share ideas, advance their projects and immerse themselves in a new academic environment. The combination of adapting to a different environment, collaborating with new colleagues and scheduling time for your own work creates an ideal atmosphere for academic progress and personal development.
In addition to all the great research seminars and conferences I was able to attend, a real highlight of my stay was the exceptional camaraderie among the doctoral candidates at IÉSEG - both local and visiting students. From day one, they welcomed me wholeheartedly, inviting me to local restaurants and bars, showing me around Lille and integrating me into their community. Their warm hospitality not only enriched my professional experience, but also made my stay personally rewarding.
Another highlight was the local French and Flemish cuisine. The local cheese, which is popular in the Lille area, is called Maroilles. It is an integral part of almost all local dishes. It has a very strong and distinct odour that some people love and others hate. Personally, I love it and it has confirmed a general rule for me: The smellier the cheese, the better it tastes.
A fellow student from IÉSEG told me that there is a saying about Lille: "You cry twice when you live there - first when you move there, and then when you have to move away again." I can't agree with the first part, but I definitely agree with the second!
