dfh932

Hello,

I am going to begin a Ph.D. program this fall (either in Neuroscience, Public Health, or Cognitive Psychology), and was wondering if anyone is aware of possibilities for studying abroad at the graduate level?

My husband will be re-entering as an undergad..So i know it will be possible for him to do a stint in study abroad.

Neuro programs (esp. the ones i'm applying to) are very research-intensive, so I would be sort of afraid that it wouldn't be possible once i got into the program and working on a project to just up and leave for a semester.

Unless we could figure out a way to conduct research at a foreign institution, I suppose...?

But if anyone has been able to study abroad or plans to study abroad while attending a research-based graduate program, or has any kind of experience with this --I would love your insight.

Thank you

PatchesNBrownie

I know certain institutions have built-in "study abroad" programs, I just learned about the Scripps-Oxford program.

dfh932

I'll have to google that!

carlstreator

Look into doing a Fulbright grant. My cousin has his PhD in Psychology, I believe, or it could even be neuroscience, and he spent a year doing research in Norway. He's now a professor at the University of Florida. Look him up and maybe e-mail him--last name is Craggs.

ticklemepink

Tough to do, especially for science. I would imagine it largely depends on your network connections, including those of your professors'.

juillet

In public health, it's very doable. A lot of public health scholars do research abroad.

In psychology and neuroscience, it will be more difficult. You will get odd stares and the question will be, "Why?"

But the most important factor will be your advisor and his/her research and support network. An advisor who is friendly to the idea of international research and has done some himself/herself is likely to support your bid to do research abroad, especially if you have a compelling reason. My advisor just returned from research in Brazil, and about half my public health department spends extended period of time in other countries doing research. One of my friends in environmental health sciences is heading to Bangladesh for research; another in sociomedical sciences does research in Mexico (but she is Mexican); another SMS student does Brazilian sex work research, and one of my colleagues spent last week in Amsterdam taking an intensive course.

But if I ever brought it up in my psychology department, it would just be weird. Here, psychology students stay put in the U.S. pretty much.

One very prominent study abroad opportunity for graduate students is the Fulbright program. You have to write a very tightly-written, well-planned research proposal and have support/affiliation in the country in which you desire to conduct research, but a well-connected advisor could help you with that.

RacinReaver

You can also look into various professional organizations. I know the Materials Research Society (or one of those other ones I belong to) offers support to students looking to do research in a foreign country, though they say they give preference to people not wanting to work in Western Europe.

A lot of it has to do with the connections your professor has, though. If they're friendly with someone off in another country and are looking to have some heavy collaboration with them, it would be the perfect way for you to hitch a ride.

dfh932

Thanks everyone. I think the professor I will be working with has some great connections...however now i'm realizing that I should find out how they will feel about me possibly leaving for a semester or year to study abroad.
Because without their support, it would be nearly impossible, I'm thinking.