djnikki1

Yes both are very different and both have something I would love lol, that's why it is so hard to choose. I am applying for Fulbright again and for funding for the PhD while I would be attending. I am also going to be applying for schools in the US for a PhD as well. I would prefer overseas, as financially it's more affordable than living in the states for me as a single mom. That's why we left the states and are full-time traveling lol. I know for the PhD program in Scotland, I would keep my same Master's Supervisor and I would just expand on my project I will start this coming year. I do not have a PhD School picked for in Amsterdam, and I may not even stay there to do the PhD. But the Master's program is something that I am highly interested in. Social Anthropology would allow me more avenues for researching my topic, but the school Amsterdam would help me to become more focused on the area I truly want to study and focus on.

Thank you these are great questions. My program in Amsterdam is strictly in English and I can take free Dutch courses through the school. There is also a huge English speaking Expat group there. Schools are better for my kids in Scotland, especially because my children have special needs and the schools would be "public schools". In Amsterdam, it would be another expense because I would have to pay for English private schooling. I could possibly get financial aid, but that is not a guarantee.

I have been accepted into two wonderful programs in Scotland and Amsterdam to start in the Fall. I am stuck on which to choose. I am a black single mom to 9-year-old twins and my end goal is to obtain a Ph.D. My field of choice is Sociology with a focus on Gender and Women's Studies. The program in Scotland is with the University of St. Andrews for an MA in Social Anthropology and then I would have the opportunity to start the Ph.D. program the following year at their school. I already have a supervisor and she has been very supportive and I can see I would have someone really rooting for me there. The program in Amsterdam is with the University of Amsterdam for an MA in Sociology: Gender, Sexuality, and Society. I first applied to this program for 4 years and I keep deferring and they keep accepting me each year. So it shows me they really want me at this school and this is one of the top school in this field within Sociology. This one would not lead to a Ph.D. and I would need to look for one while attending. Both programs are for a year and I am just completely torn on where to go, both places offer what I want, and the locations are drastically different. I have never been to either place and I know the housing costs will be so high compared to what I am used. I have been full-time traveling with my kids and mainly living in Airbnbs, so I know I am in for a shock with the housing costs again. In making my decision, what are some questions do I need to ask and figure out so I can make a truly informed decision and pick a school? I am giving myself a deadline of a week to decide because I have to start the visa process for both me and my kids like asap. Thanks in advance and sorry for the rambling