Scott Walker and Wisconsin

[Macabea]

Yep, the Comp Lit department, partially working on Lat Am lit Are you working on Lat Am or peninsular? (I was told they're getting a new Lat Am scholar this year, so if that's your thing then that's something to look forward to).

I got a three year funding package with a good fellowship for the first year but then two years of TA where they cannot guarantee more than 38%, which would cover tuition, health benefits and then I think $5500 or something which doesn't sound like a lot. Like you I'm an international student and as I know there'll be restrictions on where we work I'm not sure that this is feasible for me...

Thanks for the info about housing etc I hope it all works out for you financially, Madison seems like a fantastic place (despite the political situation) and you're right, you probably can get by on a relatively small stipend

 

I'm working on Lat Am, but I'm begining to be interested in peninsular, so maybe I'll do a mix. Firstly I wanted to apply to comp lit, but I wanted to develope my research in my mother language (Spanish) (maybe I'll do comp lit as a minor and that would be more adecquate to my interests, I don't know yet ) Anyway, I applied to the Spanish and Portuguese department, not to the Lat Am one. Maybe the scholar they're getting in the Lat Am dept. is someone who applied directly there. Do you have more info? now I'm curious... 

 

Regarding your funding, I find it surprising that the university covered your expenses for only three years (considering that a PhD lasts 4 years minimum). The TAship UW-Madison offered you maybe will be as mine (36% appointment = 11k/9 months living stipend plus tuition remission and health insurance.) As they told me, the minimun a TA has to accomplish is a 33% (10k/9 months). If I can make it with that stipend, you will too  

 

Lots of luck, whatever you decide!

 

PS: I realize this is a bit off topic but, what are your research interests? and, where are you from? I think you mentioned you'r also international...

[Katla]

Well I'm going to continue the cheeky derailing of this thread

 

I'm working on Lat Am, but I'm begining to be interested in peninsular, so maybe I'll do a mix. Firstly I wanted to apply to comp lit, but I wanted to develope my research in my mother language (Spanish) (maybe I'll do comp lit as a minor and that would be more adecquate to my interests, I don't know yet ) Anyway, I applied to the Spanish and Portuguese department, not to the Lat Am one. Maybe the scholar they're getting in the Lat Am dept. is someone who applied directly there. Do you have more info? now I'm curious... 

 

Regarding your funding, I find it surprising that the university covered your expenses for only three years (considering that a PhD lasts 4 years minimum). The TAship UW-Madison offered you maybe will be as mine (36% appointment = 11k/9 months living stipend plus tuition remission and health insurance.) As they told me, the minimun a TA has to accomplish is a 33% (10k/9 months). If I can make it with that stipend, you will too

 

Lots of luck, whatever you decide!

 

PS: I realize this is a bit off topic but, what are your research interests? and, where are you from? I think you mentioned you'r also international...

 

Well, it seems like they're quite flexible -and there's a great overlap in the faculty anyway, so branching into Comp Lit if your interests lead you there should be an option. And I have heard many people say that you tend to stand stronger if you start in a national lit department because it generally reflects some more concrete skills. The new person they're getting is Sarah Wells, whose work I am not familiar with, but it looks interesting. Not sure which department she is joining. Regardless, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time there!

 

Yeah, I am a bit worried about the funding, especially the three year part, though they said people are usually able to extend it, but it's always nice to have something more concrete when you're planning on moving across the world You're probably right about the actual amounts, they were just a little more cryptic in my funding letter, but it's definitely a relief that it can be done.

 

Re the off topic Hahaha, I'm still not very good at articulating my field of proposed research but I'm interested in foundational fiction and texts from the border regions and how they shape/have shaped our socio-cultural identity specifcally questions of gender, normatiity and nationality, regionally I'm interested in Latin America (specifically Mexico and the Southern Cone) and South Asia. What's your area of interest?

Also, I'm from Denmark ,)

Edited March 1, 2015 by Katla