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ACMy dream of studying abroad for my PhD was crushed when I lost my father during my master’s program.
At that time, I had already started preparing for the GRE. I was researching universities and planning to take the TOEFL as well.
But realistically, studying abroad during such a difficult moment for my family would have been an unreasonable decision.
I even tried applying for a fellowship during COVID, but I was rejected. Very few applications were accepted at that time given the circumstances.
I was studying at one of the best universities in Japan (my home country), but I often heard people say that if you want to become a well-known scholar, you need to get your PhD from a globally recognized university.
Indeed, many of the scholars I admire studied abroad in the US or UK during their graduate programs. I noticed how advanced they seemed, not only because of language skills, but also because of the diversity of experiences they gained by living abroad. I wanted that exposure too.
It took me a while to accept that just because I didn’t go abroad for my PhD didn’t mean I had failed.
I grew tremendously during my graduate program in Japan, and I don’t regret staying at a time when my family needed me the most.
Sometimes we get trapped in the “what if.” And when we do, we forget that we are living our life right now. If we keep focusing on what could have been, we may never fully experience what is actually happening.
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re wondering whether to pursue a PhD just because it’s not abroad, don’t dismiss the opportunity.
Even if it’s a PhD in your home country, take it. Why not?
You never know what experiences and opportunities you will encounter there.
And if you truly believe you need to go abroad—maybe to collect data, collaborate, or learn from a specific professor—you can still pursue those opportunities during your PhD.
I promise you, it will not be a waste of time.
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