̽»¨ÊÓƵ

I am an international doctoral researcher in education at the Graduate School of Education, affiliated to theÌýUniversity of ExeterÌý(UK). In this blog, I would like to share my lived experience of doing a PhD at a British university with its ups and downs.

I did my BA and MA in Algeria at the University of Abdelhamid Ibn Badis (Mostaganem, Algeria). University has always been a space where I can learn, make mistakes, develop relationships and grow as an individual and a student.

Step into your future: attend our events

Find out more

I chose to pursueÌýa postgraduate research programme abroad because I have always dreamed ofÌýexperiencingÌýhigher education in another country and embracingÌýthe complexity, tensions and beauty of international studies.

Transitioning from Algeria to the UK has beenÌýchallengingÌýgiven the fact that they have two different education systems, policies, requirements and expectations which inform overall teaching, learning and assessment criteria. Adding to this is theÌýself-doubt and anxiety that comes with studying abroad - lots of what ifs.

Coming to a British institution I had to learn what teaching looked like at my newÌýuniversity and what was expected from me as an international PhD candidate in terms of contribution, integration, impact and sustainability.

Nine things to know before doing a PhD
Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?
What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students
PhD diary: Where do I begin?

It took me many months to navigate my own path in order to understand how the whole university ecosystem and structure functions in order to fit in. The support I received from other PhD fellows, academics, students, staff within the university and beyond was instrumental.

In addition, I struggled with academic writing. Although I was new toÌýthe UK back in 2016 and my academic English was fairly good, it needed lots of improvement to fit in the "academic scholarly conventions". Although there are many programmes and support services provided by universities to help international students enhance their academic writing abilities, I personally engaged in a self-teaching process to improve it myself.

Of course, my supervisors provided me with feedback on my written chapters, but I also foundÌýreading, blogging, or email correspondence an effective way to understand how to write. Therefore, practice made me better (not perfect as I believeÌýthere is no perfection in writing!). It is an unfinished process which requires hard work, commitment and practice.

Furthermore, pursuing postgraduate research studies can be a lonely journey as you are in yourÌýownÌýbubble and nobody understands what youÌýare trying to achieve (maybe not even yourself!). Working on a research project on your own for a number of years where you have to motivate and monitor your own progress and learning is hard work.

SoÌýit is essential to stay connected to the PhD community and find other studentsÌýand staff membersÌýwhoÌýspeak the same academicÌýlanguage as you.ÌýFinding this genuine support and solidarity are so needed when doing a PhD and this is how I could build the momentum and keep going with my research.Ìý

I feel less alienated and alone in this journey as I have wonderful colleagues and friends who show support although their busy schedules and who I collaborate with in various student-led and charitable projects within the university. It is all about how we balance our own commitments while staying connected to the wider university initiatives and opportunities to grow and make connections.

I am aware of my privilege of undertaking postgraduate research studies especially abroad. Although university life can bring stress and anxiety, we can make universityÌý an enjoyable learning experience through building a community.Ìý

Read more:ÌýTransitioning from a non-Western university to a Western one: highs and lows

Ìý