Hi Jojo,

I'm sorry to hear you're not enjoying your time in the UK, but I'd like to just say that I think you're experiences are not representative of all British people, and I think it's unfair to assume we're all cold and difficult to interact with. Interaction is a two way process after all, and I think it takes some give and take.

Also, if you feel some of your experiences have been due to racism within you're institution, you need to take this up with someone in a higher position. Racism is something that needs to be dealt with properly. 

I'd like to point out that I'm not from the UK, while I have lived here for a fair while. I've never experienced any negativity because I wasn't born and bred in the UK. I also have a lot of friends who have come over as international students who are fully respected and recognised within my institution.

I think you should perhaps talk to your director of studies or a welfare officer about the issues you are having, and hopefully something can be worked out, but please don't assume that you are having a bad time because of the fact you're in the UK. This could happen anywhere in the world, and in any institution.

I googled it shortly after posting my question and realised mammoths were preserved in ice, not fossilised.

New question then...

How do they know dinosaurs were green?

Also, if T-Rex's were the most ferocious dinosaurs, why did they have such silly little arms. Surely that made life hard. Could you imagine scratching your head with those!?

I have a very, very serious question...

How do they know that hairy mammoths were hairy??

Cleverclogs,

That's possibly the cheesiest thing I think I've ever heard.

I know what I'm getting the boyfriend for Xmas... ;-) hahaha

I agree with Cleverclogs and Sneaks. He's married... he's your supervisor... and you admit nothing will/can happen.

It's possible you're feeling this way because he's in a position of power. Perhaps you're mistaking your feelings for admiration and respect?

For starters I'd suggest you stop trying to find opportunity to bump into him. This will only make matters worse for you... especially if he starts to notice.

Also, focus on keeping your relationship purely professional. When you meet with him only talk PhD.

If things don't get better, and you find your feelings growing I'd suggest thinking about changing to a new supervisor.

I have successfully turned my one sentence into several paragraphs. Hurrah for me!!

Well done JoJo... enjoy your break!

I considered staying in a hostel, but then decided it would look unprofessional when the uni booked for me so have settled on a hotel. I'm kind of hoping I'll meet a local at the conference who'll offer to be my personal tourguide. fingers crossed. If that fails, I'll find a beach.... and a good book.

Hmmm... I think I'll be ok at the actual conference. The last two international conference I've been to, I've just mingled and found this a great way to network with other people. A plus about not being from the country you're presenting in is that other delegates tend to be very inquisitive! :-)

It's more the time on my own. I have this "thing" where I don't like doing certain things on my own... like eating out or having a drink in a bar. It makes me really self-conscious... like everyone's going to think I'm a "billy-no-mates". I may just starve while I'm out there. Or live on pot-noodles (I hope the hotel has a kettle).

I need to be more independent/ less self-conscious methinks. 

Hi guys,

So, in January I'm going to do a conference presentation in a far-flung tropical paradise. I'm not nervous about the actual presentation... this isn't my first international conference. What I'm apprehensive about is travelling on my own and not knowing anyone when I get where I'm going. I've also booked a few extra days there to explore because it's too good an opportunity to miss, but now I don't know how I feel about essentially having a "holiday" all on my lonesome.

I've been away to conferences on my own before, but not for this amount of time... I'll have 4 days of me time outside the conference.

So I guess what I'm getting at asking is, has anyone been away on their own before (conference, fieldwork, holiday)? Any advice for me?

Today is, so far, not going to plan.

I am yet to book my conference stuff... it's taking ages for uni to cost everything with their travel agents and then they want me to pick from a range of options, etc, etc. It'd be far easier for me to just book it myself.

I have written only one sentence in my chater so far today. As such, I'm going to focus on getting that up to one paragraph and then consider going home and sleeping a bit.

For Christmas, my friends and I always do a secret santa, but we set the limit at £2. It's a really funny way to see how imaginative you can be at getting something for such a small amount of money. It keeps spending to a minimum as well because you only have to buy for one person.

I cried when I watched this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNv2A4Kfx4k and secretly wished I could have a lion of my own.

When I was little all I wanted to be was either a pirate, a clown or a singer (I even used to write my own songs), and I still kind of wish I was a pirate (not the somali kind... more the jack sparrow kind).

I love period drama's.

I think will ferrell is sexy in an ugly kind of way.

Today I am going to get further into this chapter which seems to be taking a lifetime to write. I will also book my flights and accommodation for the conference I'm presenting at in Jan (now that I've registered there's no turning back really).

I'm hungry though... it's too early for elevenses, so I'm going for 10:15'ses.

Sneaks, I have faith in you getting your template analysis done!

Holidays are the way forward!! I take at least one big holiday a year (2 weeks or more) and have other shoter holidays throughout the year... or just lots of days off.

Saying that, I am possibly the laziest PhD student around. :-)