To phd in the US or not to...

[Carlis]

My thesis mentor just offered to try and provide a phd position in physics at Umass in Massachusetts for me. He works half time at Umass and half time in Stockholm and apparently has a lot of contacts in over there. Nothing is certain, but he says there is a good chance,should I decide to pursuit this option.

So, I am trying to determine whether I want to move to another continent and start a more or less new life... And I have such a hard time trying to figure out if this is a good idea or not.

On one hand, it means leaving my home city and all my friends. On the other hand, I feel a certain urge for adventure and exploring the world. But a phd is a long time...

Has anyone else here moved across the Atlantic, and if so, what was it like?

Has anyone here lived in Amherst? Is it a nice town?

Regards,
Carlis

 

[Brainonska511]

What are you studying?

 

[Carlis]

I do statistical physics/condensed matter theory. Right now I am working with a multi component superconductor model.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Carlis
I do statistical physics/condensed matter theory. Right now I am working with a multi component superconductor model.

IIRC, my older brother is working on his PhD in condensed matter physics.

He did mention taking some classes in Amherst recently as part of a summer school program. He said "nice town, but would never want to live there." Apparently, there is very little to do there.

I'd say, definitely give it some serious thought about doing a PhD overseas - kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[Mide]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would agree with this statement fully. You would get to experience something that most of your friends and family would not (under normal circumstances) and you'd probably have a better outlook on life and the world. I went overseas working for a year and it was a great experience...lots of suffering involved when it's crappier than the US but you get to appreciate running water when you get back. You might also be able to learn a second language too.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Mide

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would agree with this statement fully. You would get to experience something that most of your friends and family would not (under normal circumstances) and you'd probably have a better outlook on life and the world. I went overseas working for a year and it was a great experience...lots of suffering involved when it's crappier than the US but you get to appreciate running water when you get back. You might also be able to learn a second language too.

It's Sweden, not Africa.

 

[TuxDave]

"What do you call An American with a PhD in Physics & Chemistry?"

"Stupid American!!!"

Had to say it.

 

[DaWhim]

stockholm = very expensive

 

[dr150]

Amherst, Mass is a very pretty, quaint, sleepy town. IF you have a short attention span and need the immediate big city experience, then Amherst may not be 100% for you. On the other hand, you can always get the urban experience by taking the weekend train to a big city (i.e. Boston, etc) like many Amherst kids do. It all depends on your pesonality type.

As for the PHD, an advanced degree from an American university still OPENS WIDE DOORS to positions in Europe and elsewhere. A total no brainer in this regard!

As for the adaptation, it's a personal thing....if you're open to it you'll enjoy it....if you're the needy type (i.e. family, girlfriend always around) you'll make excuses to hate it. At my grad school, the foreign kids adapted/integrated just fine and were enriched by the experience on a personal/professional level. After graduation, over half stayed and about <40% returned home....many married a local.

It's great to have an opportunity to study overseas! You never know how positively it can impact your life on many levels. Since you're Swedish, I assume your English is very good already, so you won't have any problem mixing/integrating in with the locals - the biggest hurdle to studying overseas. Ultimately, you can try it out for a year, get the Masters degree and stick it out for the PHD if you wish.....or go back home to finish the PHD. Either way it's more win/win than win/lose. :thumbsup:

 

[Mo0o]

I would just do the degree and if you dont like it you can always moev back to stockholm.

 

[Born2bwire]

Do it. This is the same situation that allowed me to move from the US to Hong Kong where I am currently living (although I will not be getting a degree from Hong Kong but rather my old university, I am not here as a student but as a researcher). I don't think you will have another chance in life for something like this. As a graduate student, you are pretty mobile, have few possessions and things holding you down. So it isn't that big of a deal to up and move to a different country. Since your advisor already spends half time in both places it should not impact your progress outside of the initial move and adjustment (probably minimal on the latter since you are in Stockholm.... heh Stockholm Syndrome...) and you have the opportunity to move back if you want to. Plus, the ability to take classes at another university is always good. The US universities require their graduate students to take more courses, helping to solidify and broaden their academic backgrounds. The Hong Kong universities are patterened after the English which do not emphasize graduate coursework. The result for me is that there are no graduate courses here that are worthwhile for me, they just do not offer advanced classes like they did back home. Fortunately, I had to finish my coursework before I could leave my university to work on my thesis but it is a good experience to see how other university systems in the world operate. They have their own advantages and disadvantages.

 

[StinkyPinky]

I would jump at such an oppertunity.

 

[Babbles]

My wife got her Master's at Trinity College in Dublin - we are American - and is doing her PhD here in the states. She was thankful for the opportunity to do her Master's across the Atlantic - opposite direction you are going - but she has no desire to live in another country again.

So based on her experiences, but in your case you would be doing the opposite direction, it was worthwhile for her.

 

[miniMUNCH]

Well... I have a PhD in chemical engineering. My I focused on experimental solid state surface physics which was both awesome and sucked. It was awesome because I love physics and basic science in general and sucked because 95% of my entire undergrad/grad education did not adequately prepare me to do my own research! Trying to do some hardcore surface physics research with no physics background was rough... I was doing my researcch and trying to give myself apoor man's physics education at the same time.

I'm doing ultra-thin film nucleation research right now as a post-doc... which is pretty fun.

I personally loved grad school... so much better than working for living (i worked in industry for 5 years before going back to school).

So I say give it a shot... but if you are serious about pursuing a PhD in physics i have some suggestions:

A) there is no reason to put all your eggs in the Umass basket. You should prep and apply to other university's as well... shoot high and low to give yourself some options.

B) make sure you know what you'd like to study for your PhD... do you want to say in condensed matter theory? And if so do want to all theory or have the opportunity to do some experiments as well. And do you want continue with superconductor theory or move in a slightly different direction within CMT?

 

[Epic Fail]

Sweden has hot chicks.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: miniMUNCH
Well... I have a PhD in chemical engineering. My I focused on experimental solid state surface physics which was both awesome and sucked. It was awesome because I love physics and basic science in general and sucked because 95% of my entire undergrad/grad education did not adequately prepare me to do my own research! Trying to do some hardcore surface physics research with no physics background was rough... I was doing my researcch and trying to give myself apoor man's physics education at the same time.

I'm doing ultra-thin film nucleation research right now as a post-doc... which is pretty fun.

I personally loved grad school... so much better than working for living (i worked in industry for 5 years before going back to school).

So I say give it a shot... but if you are serious about pursuing a PhD in physics i have some suggestions:

A) there is no reason to put all your eggs in the Umass basket. You should prep and apply to other university's as well... shoot high and low to give yourself some options.

B) make sure you know what you'd like to study for your PhD... do you want to say in condensed matter theory? And if so do want to all theory or have the opportunity to do some experiments as well. And do you want continue with superconductor theory or move in a slightly different direction within CMT?

You're the graphene guy right?

<--graphene research too

I was thinking of doing a Ph.D in physics but a 15 month MBA seemed like a much quicker track to a job than a 5 year Ph.D.

 

[WildHorse]

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