Yes, I know Substack is a place for newsletters (i.e. news/commentary), but I’m there for a curated selection of writers.

Good to know! While tuition may be cheaper abroad, it’s a non-factor for me as I’d only consider fully-funded programs (tuition covered and a modest stipend) here; nearly all STEM PhDs are. Plus, the cost of relocating & traveling back home (which is important to me) adds a significant $$$ burden.

👀👀 Noted!! ✅

Ty for sharing your exp! Been considering them. Hesitant bc many intl progs are tuition-based &/or have limited funding and "benefits"/insurance for intl stu. Or have master's prereq. Def something I’d need to research more.

Appreciate hearing about progs that have been supportive. Gives me hope!

6/ Those who’ve navigated this:

How did you identify programs with good health insurance, assess coverage when deciding, and/or advocate for support once you were there?

I can’t keep ✨delaying✨ my plans 💁🏽‍♀️

I’d be so grateful for any 💡 insights & advice 💬 from this community (& our advocates)!! 🙏💖🫶

5/ It shouldn't be this way. ⚖️ A search for 'intellectual fit' should not be overshadowed by questions of survival. 🤷🏽‍♀️ Yet, I find it impossible to center my search around 'research fit' when the existential question of whether I can physically make it through grad school at all looms so large🤨☁️ /🧵

4/ Finding direct, unambiguous info on coverage is maddeningly elusive, even for someone in a research-centric field. 🕵🏽‍♀️ For so many of us, questions about coverage are critical—how can we focus on 💡groundbreaking💡 research when we're left wondering if we can even afford our ✨life-saving✨ meds?💉 /🧵

3/ The catch?🎣 Programs are rarely upfront about what their “student insurance plan” covers. 🫥 For those requiring ongoing, specialized care, the promised resources often fall short. 📉My PCP closely tracking my labs this fall? That was the difference between me getting by & barely making it 🥲 /🧵

2/ And now... in light of recent events?? 😵
I'm confronted by the question I've long tried to avoid: Which programs provide truly adequate health insurance?
🙋🏽‍♀️For those of us whose bodies betrayed us—especially before/during grad school—insurance isn't a 'nice-to-have' but an absolute necessity 🫠 /🧵

💯💯 Been exploring more of SLC. It’s been a nice shift, especially after a ‘fun’ summer health-wise. It’s a balance, but getting outdoors keeps me grounded. 🥾🏔️

Also excited to get back into my art for the holiday season—nothing like a little DIY to keep things interesting on an academic’s budget! 🎁🎨

Aren’t we all?! I suppose the real answer is none of us have it fully figured out—though some definitely have it easier.

For many of us, preserving our sense of self is often in constant and direct opposition to the need to assimilate just to survive. 🙀

Ty for sharing your experience & for fostering safe spaces! I’m in UT where such spaces are far more limited. Academia often fxns as a microcosm—immediate environments can differ significantly (for better or worse 🤷🏽‍♀️) from the broader institution or state. Stories like yours are so encouraging!