Filipina Scholar, Aieshah Balmori, Graduates with Honors from Charles University in Prague

In the historic halls of Charles University—one of Central Europe’s oldest and most prestigious institutions—a Filipina scholar marked a milestone that resonates far beyond academia.

Aieshah Balmori graduated with top honors after completing the Václav Havel Joint Master Programme in European Politics and Society, earning distinction for her research on the complexities of labor migration—work that has drawn praise from diplomatic officials and shines a light on often-overlooked migrant experiences. Her academic journey, shaped across multiple European countries, reflects both intellectual rigor and a deep commitment to telling the stories that too often go unheard.

Roots & Wings had the pleasure of catching up with Aieshah in this brief interview.

Congratulations again on your graduation! Could you share a brief introduction about yourself—where you’re currently based, your academic background, and the journey that led you to pursue your studies at Charles University?

Thank you for the congratulations! I’m originally from Makati in the Philippines. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, where I graduated with Latin Honors and received the Leadership Award for my batch.

I was sent to the US for a summer camp by my university through my scholarship programme and then went back to the Philippines to figure out what I wanted to do. I considered taking the FSOE and they're requirement was to have a 2 year master degree or 2 years work experience. So I chose the academic path!

I then pursued my master’s degree under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters. My degree is Vaclav Havel Joint Master Programme in European Politics and Society. My mobility was in Charles University (Prague), Leiden University (Leiden), and Jagiellonian Unversity (Cracow). Fun fact that they're the oldest universities in their respective countries. I was drawn to the program because of its strong offerings in migration studies, which aligned closely with my long-term academic interests.

My decision to study in Central Europe was also shaped by personal connections. While I was living in the United States, many of my Polish friends encouraged me to consider the region, and that support played a big role in where I am today. After completing my degree, I chose to stay in Poland to continue developing my academic and professional path.

Can you tell us more about your thesis - i.e. the focus on gaps in research around irregular labor migration in Europe— what initially drew you to this topic, and what did you find most surprising in your research?

My thesis focused on identifying the trends, gaps, and challenges in researching irregular labour migration in Europe.

Initially, I planned to focus specifically on irregular Filipino migration to Europe. However, I encountered significant challenges in securing ethics approval for interviews, which led me to reconsider my approach. That moment of difficulty became a turning point. I shifted my focus toward examining the broader research landscape itself.

What I found most striking was the limited number of longitudinal studies on irregular migration. Much of the existing research is framed around crises (e.g. Pandemic, Brexit, Refugee Crisis, etc), which shapes how migration is understood and discussed. This creates gaps in long-term analysis and in understanding everyday realities beyond emergency contexts.

Moving forward, I hope to build on this work by contributing more sustained and longitudinal research, especially studies that center Filipino migrants and their lived experiences.

Having studied across multiple countries during your program, how did those international experiences shape both your perspective and your academic work?

Before starting my master’s, I already had a strong interest in European studies. I thought I had a solid understanding of the region. Studying across different countries showed me how much perspective depends on where and how knowledge is produced.

There are clear differences in how European and Asian academic institutions approach migration. In Europe, migration is often framed through governance, regulation, and border control, while in many Asian contexts, it is more commonly discussed in terms of labour mobility, economic contribution, and family livelihood strategies.

Learning alongside classmates from diverse backgrounds pushed me to question my assumptions and refine my approach to research. It made my academic work more critical and more reflective. It also reminded me that knowledge is never neutral. It is shaped by experience, location, and background.

You’ve spoken about how migrant stories, especially Filipino ones, are often overlooked—how do you hope your work helps bring those voices more into focus?

Filipino migrant stories are often underrepresented, especially in academic and policy discussions.

I see my work as part of a longer effort to change that. By continuing to write, research, and speak about these experiences, I want to help bring more visibility to Filipino migrants, both their challenges and their contributions.

I am also committed to promoting awareness of safe and legal migration pathways. Better information and stronger public understanding can help reduce vulnerability to irregular migration channels. At the same time, I believe that strengthening media literacy within our communities is an important step in empowering individuals to make informed decisions.

You described graduating with honors as both an honor and a responsibility—what does that responsibility mean to you personally moving forward?

Graduating with honors is something I am deeply grateful for, but I also see it as a responsibility.

For me, that responsibility is tied to giving back. I carry with me the support of my family, my community, and my country. That creates a strong sense of duty to contribute in a meaningful way. Being Filipina also comes with a responsibility to represent my community with integrity and to create work that contributes to how we are understood globally.

As a Filipina working in migration studies, I want my work to reflect both excellence and purpose. The Philippines has a long history of labour migration, and Filipino workers are present across the world. Contributing to research and policy in this field feels like a direct way to serve both my country and the global community.

You’ve stayed closely connected to the Filipino community through your work and involvement—how has that connection influenced your path, and how do you see it shaping what comes next?

Staying connected to the Filipino community has been central to my journey. It keeps my work grounded and reminds me why this research matters, and keeps me connected to who I am.

These connections have shaped both my academic focus and my future plans. I want to continue documenting the experiences of Filipinos in Europe, not only their struggles, but also their achievements and contributions.

Writing these stories is important. It creates visibility, preserves history, and helps us understand where the community stands today.

Looking ahead, I hope to contribute to making the Filipino diaspora more visible, more recognized, and better understood, both in academic spaces and beyond.

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As Aieshah Balmori moves forward from this milestone, her journey is about more than academic success—it’s about purpose, perspective, and giving voice to stories that matter. Her work helps shine a light on the experiences of Filipino migrants, while also contributing to more thoughtful and inclusive conversations around migration. For many Filipinos abroad, her path is both inspiring and affirming—a reminder that our stories belong in global spaces, and that our voices can help shape them.

Thank you again, Aieshah for your time - and wishing you all the best in your future endeavors!