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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?

Just remember to relax ? Your written English is really good and I'm sure it's just as good over the phone! They just want to get to know you a bit, they will probably ask about your background as well as why you are interested in the program that you applied for. You can prepare for those questions. The rest is just a conversation, don't overthink it. I think the Korean expression is: 괜찮아..너무 걱정하지마 ?

Don't worry about it ? I underwent something similar, although different universities have different procedures. The professor is most likely not going to ask you about something that isn't your subject area. These interviews are usually not devised as "an exam" but rather as a conversation just to see how you are as a person and whether you feel passionate about your subject area. Remember, they wouldn't have called you for an interview if you hadn't been qualified. So you already know that you are qualified! Now, they just want to get a feel for what kind of person you are, so just act natural and answer the questions to the best of your ability and you should be fine ? Wish you the best!

Have you thought of doing your PhD outside of the states? I did my PhD in Sweden where they have universal healthcare so you wouldn't have to worry about the costs (aside from the cost of medication which is heavily subsidized). Depending on your area of study & university, the general pay for PhD students is pretty good. In my university, the salary was around 3200 USD/month (before tax), not including benefits (1 month paid vacation, 480 days paid parental leave etc) but it's not the same everywhere.

I know a friend of mine who did his master's in Sweden and then chose to go to the US to do his PhD (although I think he might have applied here as well, can't remember). He then arrived right around Trump's travel ban (he was Iranian) and now he can't leave the states and visit his family since he might not be able to get back into the states if he does do that. Honestly, if all other things stay constant (i..e the quality of the education and compensation etc), I would personally chose to do it in Europe where you will be able to visit your parents sporadically since flights to the Middle East are frequent and don't cost as much nor take as much time.

Have you thought about speaking with people who have worked at those labs previously? You might get a good idea on what it's like to work there for an extended period of time. Also, I just noted that you were based in Hong Kong. How is the situation there at the moment? I just visited last year, right in the beginning of the protests. HK is an amazing place to visit - wish you the best!

Congratulations on your thesis passing Adelaide! ? Rejection is part of academia unfortunately. I remember the first time I received a rejection from a research journal that I submitted a paper to, it's not a pleasant feeling, but you have to persevere! Will you be doing your PhD now? Let me know if you need any advice.

You live and you learn. I think I could write volumes of things that I wish I knew at the time before I started grad school. We have to remember to roll with our choices as well and not get stuck in the past

Anyone who is currently at KAUST? Last I heard of it, it was still a very new university. How's the perception of the university by the university staff and students?

I'm not a Mac user so I can't really answer the question fully. If you're not too fussy about the technical specs, why not simply go for the cheaper option?

Yes, doing a PhD is stressfull but remember to always put it into perspetive. On the global human scale of suffering, it barely registers as a problem. It's important to always be grateful for the things we have and not overinflate the "horror" that is the PhD process. Hakuna matata and keep researching!