🎓 Life as a PhD Student: Expectations, Realities, and Everything In Between
🎓 Life as a PhD Student: Expectations, Realities, and Everything In Between Entering a PhD program is a major life decision—and one that’s often misunderstood. From the outside, it can look like a clear-cut academic path . In reality, it's a journey filled with uncertainty, learning, long hours, and personal growth. Based on my own experience as a PhD student in Europe , I want to share what it really takes to get into a program, what the journey looks like, and the reality of life in academia. 📌 Getting into a PhD Program: More Than Just a Degree Let’s start with the basics. Yes, you absolutely need the right educational background —typically a degree in biology or a related field—to even be eligible for a PhD. But that alone isn’t enough. If you’re an international student, especially from India like me, practical experience becomes even more important. Unlike in some European countries, where lab work is deeply integrated into Master’s programs, students in India m...