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Don't sweat it too much. Most people will usually give you slack if they know or recognize that it's not your native language. Try to use non-complicated and straightforward language. Personally, if I were to present in a language that I don't feel too comfortable with, I would try to plan out the talk in much more detail than if I was speaking in my native tongue. The presentation might become more rigid (and somewhat more dull) but at least you will able get your points across correctly.

What does your supervisor think? If you are going to switch PhD subject, the most reasonable thing would be to do so in your first year. Just make sure that the new subject area that you want to study is really worth it, and I mean really really worth it. You don't want to switch only to be disappointed in your choice. If you know someone who studies that topic, might be useful to ask them a few questions beforehand so you don't commit to something that you are not 100% on board with.

Do you know anyone who studies neuroscience? I think they should be able to provide you a more specific answer. There's also no shame in just asking a suitable person at the universities were you intend to would apply, they could give you more proper guidance on this matter.

Be content with the news that you might not get it, and you won't feel as anxious. That's always been my rule in life

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't be possible for you and your husband to find a new city that has the opportunities that you are looking for as well as the opportunities that your husband is seeking? There's a bunch of big metropolitan cities that could offer both, no?

Looks great. What is your native language, if I may ask?

Waiting is such a difficult thing, but at least it gives you a taste of PhD life ? just wait until you wait for months to hear a response on that journal submission that you made, only to receive a short comment from the editor that they don't think that it is a suitable candidate for their journal ?. You applied to 13 programs, seems like you have a good chance of acceptance; why be nauseated now? Shouldn't the nausea kick in if you have been rejected by 12 and there is only one left ?

Start writing. Immediately. During my PhD, one of the most difficult things was to find a consistent level of writing output on a weekly basis. Some weeks, there was a lot of production and other weeks, not so much. I learned that the way to do it is to set a specific writing goal, and then STICK TO IT, every day. It should be something that is both challenging and achievable. So don't go out and insist that you will write 3 pages per day because in most cases, you might be able to do that for a few days but then you won't be able to keep up. Instead set a goal of something like 300 words to around 500 words (500 words = roughly equivalent of 1 page). If you write 500 words, every day, you will have produced about 15 pages in two weeks time. All those pages won't be perfect of course, but you will at least have a baseline that you can then improve upon. Do little over a long period of time INSTEAD of doing a lot during a short period time. In my experience, the quality of the text will be better, as well as the quality of your life (in terms of work-life balance). Anyone else who have thought about this?

@JWKHIST No worries, and thank you! I really want to visit Korea some day, I've heard so much good about Korea and the Korean people.

Why are you regretting it? Are you sure the new program will be something that you will like more? Changing PhD program is certainly possible and something people have done but does take some work to do it, so just make sure that you are confident in that decision before taking it.

@AbbyHunt Abby, you managed to get into that program, at one of the top universities in the country, YOU ARE QUALIFIED. People don't accidentally stumble into a program like that, don't undervalue yourself ?. We should be harsh on ourselves for things that actually matter like <do I answer my mom's calls> <do I treat people with dignity?> etc but the last thing you should care about is the opinions of your peers. I recently finished my PhD and honestly, I respect people who question themselves (that shows humility) knowing full well that none of us know everything, but some people would rather pretend to know things they don't know to project an image of themselves that is not real.

It sounds like he is probably just busy. Also, professors are no different than students when it come to procrastination (they might even be worse!). KInd reminders should be enough.

Interesting. So you described the potential benefits that you think this might result in; what would the potential drawbacks be?

Cool, I am sure you will be done in no time . The first two years of my PhD were my favorite.

OK now I understand, so it is basically a choice between a PhD (only in the US) or to work with your family's business in the Middle East? I assume that you have already talked about this with your family, what do they think?