Thank you very much for your valuable advice!

Hi Timmy! I hope everything turns out well for you and me and everyone in search of that good, understanding supervisor! Of course there's no perfect match, or if there is, it happens only for a few really lucky fellas! I hear stories about supervisors who almost 'bully' the student; think they can say everything just because they've got the power, or exploit the student by making him/her work too hard, and do not provide the necessary support when it comes to writing reference letters or helping him/her with postdoc issues and so on. I have hard many cases about the supervisor discouraging the student, or leaving him/her completely lonely about the problems in the thesis, saying harsh things if there's a mistake, and things like that.

I just want someone who is possible to communicate with, and who can do the necessary guiding about the scientific problem.

Let me know Timmy, if anything nice to hear about happens! (And I wonder which country are you searching for PhD positions in?)

Anyone else? with something to say ?

Hi all,

I will soon apply for PhD and I have a big concern; the thesis supervisor. I think that during one's PhD, a good supervisor plays a key role; good, in terms of scientific abilities, and also good in terms of his/her approach to the student. For the scientific part; I suppose it is easier to have an idea, as you can check the papers etc. Yet, character-wise, if you write to professors online, then apply and then go, start working with him/her; a surprise is waiting. In the same country, there's a chance to ask around, but if the professor's in a far away place; how can one take precautions? What do you suggest?

Thank you very much again TreeofLife. Wish you all the best for completion of your PhD and afterwards.

Thank you very much for your reply.

So you agree that in US an overload of work is more likely to occur. (I've heard of some PhD students in USA going under depression, and things like that, therefore; I'm really worried about it. The distance could be another problem I suppose for someone coming from Europe; not many opportunities to go visit old friends and family, or even chat with them because of time difference) Therefore do you recommend choosing UK then, although you're now in US?

Could you explain a little bit in details what you mean by "The bias is between people the PIs know (or people their colleagues know) vs people they don't"? and to be prepared to move around?

Hi all. I'm about to finish my masters in earth sciences and I'm considering doing PhD abroad. However, choosing the country and the place wisely is important I think. There are some certain things that worries me.

1. The amount of funding being not enough to live a comfortable life.

2. Finding a position in a university or a job in that country after completing PhD. (I've heard that in USA it is really difficult because of extreme competition. What do you think? Where could it be more possible? Or do they discriminate on the basis of nationality etc.?)

3. The quality of life during PhD studies. (For example I have heard from many people that especially in the USA PhD students can't find any time to even go out of the lab, and they have to work like crazy because the demand for that teaching assistantship or whatever position is too much, and they could easily be replaced and so on.)

What do you think about all these? I'd really like to learn about your thoughts.

All the best,

Melody from Turkiye