Linda Margittai is one of the twelve EHRI fellows of 2012. Linda, who is from Hungary, was hosted at NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Amsterdam, in May and June to further her research on the fate of Hungarian Jews living abroad during the Holocaust. She was happy to answer a few questions about her fellowship.

1. Why did you apply for an EHRI fellowship?

I applied for an EHRI fellowship to complement my research project which examines the fate of Hungarian Jews living abroad during the Holocaust. It is planned to be an extended comparative research project, a first case study to clarify what factors formed the fate of Jews of Hungarian citizenship living in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. The rich archival and library collections of NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies in Amsterdam meant that I would be able to find important sources which could help answer my main research questions.

2. Did you feel welcome at the institute where you stayed for your fellowship?

NIOD is housed in one of the most beautiful buildings in Amsterdam, which provides a highly inspiring and pleasant working environment, and the friendly and helpful NIOD staff were always ready to make me feel welcome at the institute and support my research as well. I could work under the most flexible research conditions which allowed me to use the time of my tenure effectively.

3. Has the fellowship furthered your research? Did you find a lot of material?

My stay at the NIOD proved to be very useful. The archival and library collections of the institute provided me with abundant and relevant and valuable materials which helped me to clear up some essential research problems I was struggling with.

4. Did it help your career in other ways? For example in the form of contacts?

The fellowship also allowed me to create new academic contacts which means having fresh views and advice, as well as new profitable discussions on my topic that helps to develop my research.

5. Did the fellowship live up to your expectations?

Absolutely. See above. (So, to sum it up, the fellowship absolutely lived up to my expectations.)

6. Could some things about the fellowship (organization, hosting institute) be improved?

I cannot but be completely content with all practical details of the fellowship organization - everything went smoothly and conveniently. Since accommodation, travel and the like were all arranged by the hosting institute I had nothing to do but focus on my research.

7. Did you also visit other archives and institutes in the Netherlands for your research and was this useful?

I also extended my research to the Dutch National Archives' collection in the Hague where I also succeeded in finding notable materials.

8. How was your stay in Amsterdam otherwise? Accommodation, sightseeing?

Since my accommodation was located in the heart of Amsterdam, I could and did enjoy the teeming city life day by day. With its informal and friendly atmosphere Amsterdam is a truly amiable place, I was especially captivated by its manifold and vivid cultural life. And with all these things it was not so hard to come to terms even with the typical Netherlands weather :-).

9. How is your research going at the moment? Plans for the future?

My project also includes research at archives in Hungary, thus, after my tenure at NIOD I was busy with this part of my work. But since I still have not exhausted all research possibilities in the Netherlands, I am looking forward to returning in November to continue my work there. Read more about EHRI Fellow Linda Margittai. Read more about EHRI Fellowships.

Read more about EHRI Fellow Linda Margittai.

Read more about the EHRI Fellowships.