As a current PhD student deeply immersed in the management and social sciences domain, I’ve come to realize the instrumental role that networking plays in our academic and professional lives. It’s not just about obtaining contacts; it’s about building a community around your research. In this post, I want to share why I believe it’s crucial to start your networking from the very beginning of your academic journey and how you can go about it in a productive way.
Why start early?
At the very beginning of your academic journey – which for most people tends to be when they start their PhD program – feels very uncertain and people tend to focus on their research and generally finding a foothold in academia. However, just when you seem to progress with your research topic, the priority switches to building an academic brand through effective networking. At this point, most PhDs and early career professionals feel unprepared and wish they spent more time developing their brand by building an online presence and connecting with scholars at various academic events. This post is about reflecting on these pressures and building an action plan to set me up for the future. Next, I discuss some strategies for effective networking and why building an online presence is essential.
Effective Networking Strategies
Attending Seminars & Summer School
One of the often overlooked strategies for networking is to network with fellow PhDs in your field. Most early career professionals, especially PhDs, tend to gravitate towards the big names in the field. However, odds are you are more likely to find a future collaborator at events such as doctoral consortiums or PhD summer schools. These collaborations also have the potential to span across your academic career since you likely enter academia at a similar age, whereas established scholars are a few publications away from retirement.
Active Participation
Don’t just attend events—participate. Ask questions, initiate conversations with presenters, and if you’re feeling particularly brave, volunteer to help organize these events. This visibility can be invaluable. Also, remember that first impressions count, so it’s important to show that you actively participate and take initiative, and if you are lucky you might catch the attention of a future colleague or collaborator. Also, think about arranging for a one-on-one meeting/coffee after seminars with the presenters from other academic institutions. This is a really nice way to get to know how these ‘established’ scholars came to be so successful.
Visiting another institution
If possible, make arrangements for visiting another institution. This is an easy way to potentially collaborate with some of the best scholars at some of the best institutions in the world. However, it’s important to note that the typical length of a visiting is 3 months, so it’s imperative to make the most of your visiting. In an ideal scenario this would result in some co-authored paper with a prominent figure in your field.
Academic conferences
Likely the most common thing researchers think of when discussing academic networking is attending annual academic conferences. This is definitely one of the most effective ways to get your name out there. However, common mistakes that young researchers tend to make is that of not preparing to participate in the broader topic discussions and following up on the connections made. Of course, this is typically not required but it could be a good way to gain visibility. However, it’s important not to be too high-strung since most of the established researchers tend to view conferences as their annual academic getaway. If you do manage to make a few connections, it’s important to follow up as soon as possible to cement your new connection while you are still fresh in their minds. Otherwise, as the saying goes ‘out of sight – out of mind’, and it all would have been for nothing.
Building an online presence
In the age of digital academia, having a strong online presence is crucial. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and your own personal website can serve as platforms to share your research, achievements, and thoughts with a broader audience. Today, it’s more common for researchers to use AI tools to make this journey even easier, by using tools like GPT4 to convert your published papers into blog posts or LinkedIn captions. Effectively capitalizing on these tools available will be an unavoidable necessity for future scholars to stay connected and informed.
Conclusion
The thought of having to network might seem superficial and generally unpleasant, however, it’s the reality of our situation, and playing the academic game will probably get you a lot further than trying to do your own thing. The sooner you start, the richer your academic journey will be. And remember, while the world of academia might seem serious, there’s always room for a bit of light-hearted banter and genuine connections. So, let’s not just grow our networks; let’s enjoy the process and perhaps, make a few friends along the way!
In the intricate dance of academia, where every step and turn is governed by the rigorous tempo of publishing, conferences, and peer reviews, I have welcomed the outlet of blogging. As a PhD student, this journey was less about leaving (or avoiding) the academic path and more about finding a constructive way of decompressing from the perpetual pressures of everyday academic life. This blog post is my take on why I believe academics, especially PhDs, would greatly benefit from blogging.
The Outlet of a Different Medium
Academic writing, with its stringent standards and formalities, can often feel like a straightjacket, stifling your creativity. It’s an important skill, no doubt, honing our ability to contribute valuable insights to our domains. However, the formality of academia can sometimes take the fun out of the process. This is where blogging has become my saving grace. It offers a safe space where the writing can be less formal, the topics more spontaneous, and the interaction with readers more personal. Here, I’m not confined by the strict rules of academia but can explore all of my interests even if they are completely unrelated to my main research area, and I can do this on my terms.
Feeding Your Curiosity
One of the best parts of blogging for me has been the freedom to dive into topics outside my narrow research interests. It allows me to follow my curiosity without the fear of judgment or the pressure of fitting into predefined academic themes. Whether it’s exploring a new AI tool, reflecting on historical events from a new perspective, or even discussing the latest science fiction novel, blogging serves as a way for intellectual exploration. This freedom is not just liberating; it’s a vital exercise for understanding the world around me.
Storytelling and Personal Branding
For early career researchers, the art of storytelling is a really important skill that is often underdeveloped. Blogging has been a practical, safe space for improving this craft. It’s one thing to compile data and quite another to transform it into a compelling narrative that speaks to both academic and non-academic audiences. Moreover, as the academic landscape becomes more digital, establishing a personal brand and online presence is an undeniable necessity. Blogging has allowed me to do just that, creating a space where my professional insights and personal interests converge, offering a holistic view of who I am as a researcher, and individual.
Making Sense of Your Ideas
Maybe one of the most unexpected benefits of blogging has been how it has helped me untangle complex ideas and thoughts. The process of writing for an audience, even a small one, forces clarity and simplicity. It’s one thing to grapple with an idea in the privacy of your own mind but it’s quite another to share those ideas and thoughts with others. This process, intimidating as it may be, has been critical in refining my ideas and finding a sense of clarity about what it is that I want to do and say.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blogging as a PhD student or academic is more than just a supplementary activity, it’s an important part of your personal growth. It offers a space, free of strict academic rules, a way to feed your curiosity, a way to improve your storytelling, a stage for personal branding, and a canvas for making sense of your thoughts. By embracing blogging, we’re not avoiding academia but actually enriching it, one post at a time.
Navigating through the journey of a PhD can feel like trying to tame the wild: it’s exhilarating, challenging, and, without the right tools, a bit overwhelming. From the chaos of research and deadlines to the maze of seminars and teaching commitments, I’ve been there, right in the thick of it. Today, I want to share the strategies that have been my refuge.
The Art of the To-Do List
One of the first revelations on my journey was the power of a well-structured to-do list. Borrowing from the agile project management methodology, I began to view my PhD tasks as a project backlog. Each task, from literature review entries to experimental setups, got listed, but here’s the kicker: only those with the highest priority were planned for immediate action. This particularly helped me to get rid of distractions to focus on only the most important tasks. This will also be a helpful technique for planning forward, and to get a better idea of the potential magnitude of future commitments.
Scheduling
Scheduling is at the heart of effective time management. It’s more than just allocating hours; it’s about committing to a plan that allows you to achieve your goals. The key, I found, is not just to schedule but to keep to it with a combination of discipline and flexibility. In the early days, I realized that my schedule needed to be a living document, adaptable to change, as is the nature of academic research, and life in general. But once a time block is set for work, it’s sacred.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Sharing an office can be a blessing and a curse. The camaraderie is invaluable, but when it’s time for deep working, distractions are in no short supply. Enter noise-cancelling headphones—a PhD student’s best friend. The moment they’re on, the world fades away, leaving a sanctuary of concentration. Whether it’s the murmur of coffee shop chatter or the buzz of an office, these headphones have been my saving grace. This is especially useful for those individuals who like to be around people (PhD tends to be a particularly lonely journey at times), but also require some quietness to maximize their productivity.
Scheduling Breaks
Burnout is the phantom menace (or even Grim Reaper) of the PhD world, lurking in the shadows of prolonged work without rest. I learned, sometimes the hard way, that breaks are not just leisure; they’re a crucial part of the productivity cycle. Scheduled breaks, be it a quick walk, a coffee break, or a day off, recharge the mind and body. They’re the pauses that make the PhD just that much more bearable. Not taking note of the potential consequences of burnout might negatively effect both your mental and physical well-being. So, please be careful out there and remember to allocate some time for your physical and mental health!
Creating a Routine
The foundation of my time management strategy is a solid, consistent routine. It’s the framework upon which my daily schedule is built, providing a predictable routine to soothe my overthinking brain. Morning routines energize, work routines focus, and evening routines unwind and reflect. This structure has been my way of freeing up some much-needed mental capacity to focus on my work. I recommend taking some time to clearly establish your own routine, and implement it sooner rather than later, to create some sustainable healthy habits.
Conclusion
These strategies, from the agile-inspired to-do list to scheduled breaks, have been the compass guiding me through the PhD. Embracing even a few of these strategies could just be the thing keeping you sane during your time as a PhD student. Remember, that it isn’t about rigid control but about finding a rhythm that allows for both productivity and well-being. I hope you find these tips as useful as I have.
If you have any other tips in mind, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Academic writing refers to the more technical form of writing that academics use to communicate with each other. It’s important to note that certain elements of academic writing differ among audiences, journals, and domains. However, various elements remain consistent throughout, and this is what I intend to discuss in this post.
Main Aspects of Academic Writing
Reflecting on the process of academic writing, it’s important to note that you need to adapt to the audience you intend to speak to. So, if you plan to write an academic article it’s recommended that you get comfortable with your domain’s style of writing by referring to your target journal’s author guidelines or by referring to recent top-level publications within your field. However, below we discuss the main hallmarks and typical pitfalls for academic writing.
Structure & Story – When it comes to academic writing the general structure and story of an academic article is quite standard across various domains. By structure, I refer to the sequence of your arguments and writing, which typically follows the ITMR and D structure.
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Method
Results
Discussion
The underlying theme of this approach follows the typical notion of broad-narrow-broad writing. The depiction below highlights the style which starts with the more broad conversation you intend to contribute to. This follows the more narrow specificities of the real methods and conditions you apply to your study, which in the end needs to be again generalized to the broad conversation. This last part is often the crux and is where the relevance of your questions and the robustness of your methods determine how generalizable your findings will end up being. The following illustration highlights the typical structure of academic writing in management research.
To simplify, your discussion should ideally start with the world of ideas that are already known and the specific ideas that you aim to introduce. Then, the middle part deals with the real world (your technical and empirical approach), which you then use as a basis to refer back to the world of stories to which you aim to contribute. The crux of the process is that you need to demonstrate the necessary academic rigor, theoretical grounding, methodological rigor, and empirical relevance.
The readability of your writing – The ultimate success of your academic writing rests on your ability to convey your ideas to your audience. If your language and writing are difficult to follow and inconvenient to read, odds are that you will find it a lot more difficult to publish in top academic journals. With that in mind here are the ten commandments for academic writing, that all scholars need to take note of.
Focused Writing
It’s important to stick to one idea per paper. Trying to sell different ideas in a single paper may increase complexity and decrease comprehension.
Be Explicit
Don’t deviate, be continuous, and let the story unfold coherently.
Continuous
Don’t deviate, be continuous and let the story unfold coherently.
Relevance
Avoid adding unnecessary information, that could confuse the reader. Strictly stick to the information that directly contributes to your main idea.
Exhaustive
Be exhaustive, do not omit any important information.
Articulate
Make sure that there are logical flows between paragraphs and ideas.
Concise
Maximize density, say as much as possible in as few words as possible.
Transparency
Ideally, it is considered good practice to be transparent in your practices and processes to allow for the replicability of your study in the future. If you want to learn more about replication research, see this post.
Unambiguity
Don’t be ambiguous in your writing. Write in a manner in which alternative interpretations are closed.
Neutrality
One of the most important parts of scientific writing is to avoid bias as far as possible, and for your reading, this means that you should remain neutral and not lead the readers to come to your desired conclusions.
The essence of good writing is to improve the readability of your writing without compromising on the relevance of your message. Therefore, it’s always important to ask yourself:
Who am I writing for?
Who is the reader?
Are they experts?
What is the typical idea of an ordinary reader?
Choice of language and wording – Classic academic writing is characterized by neutral and rigid language. Today, academic writing is more commonly characterized by using simple language with as little passive voice as possible. Without going into the more technical parts of academic writing, I believe the following quote gets the message across.
“Don’t use a big word when a singularly loquacious and diminutive linguistic expression will satisfactorily accomplish the contemporary necessity.”
Visual presentation – The importance of choosing the appropriate visualizations to get your message across is often neglected. Visual illustrations such as graphs, figures, and charts are supposed to help the reader understand and make sense of your arguments or complex sequence of ideas. Selecting the appropriate visualization for your academic article should be given as much care and attention as the writing itself.
Conclusion
Academic writing is unique in style compared to more classical writing styles. Therefore, learning and honing the craft of academic writing should be a key concern for all current and prospective scholars. Hopefully, this introduction gives you some understanding of the value of clear and concise academic writing.
Venturing into the academic wilderness, one might find the journey of a PhD akin to navigating the unpredictable terrains of the wilderness (much like those trekked by Bear Grylls on the Discovery Channel). Armed with nothing but wits, grit, and an unyielding spirit, this guide aims to chart a course through the daunting landscape of a social sciences PhD. Like Grylls, we’ll tackle the elements head-on, albeit with less eating of bugs and more wrestling with theoretical frameworks. So, strap on your metaphorical boots, and let’s explore how to not just survive but thrive in the wilds of your doctoral studies.
The PhD Survival Challenges
1. Time Management “Trekking”: In the vast wilderness of research and deadlines, managing your time is similar to navigating a dense forest. Here you can employ the “Academic Compass” technique: set your main thesis milestone as your true north and align your daily tasks in that direction. Just as Grylls marks his path to avoid circling back, keep a journal or app to track progress and avoid academic distractions.
2. Thesis Topic “Quest”: Finding your thesis topic is like identifying a safe path through quicksand. Utilize the “Intellectual Foraging” strategy: scout wide, read voraciously, and gather various ideas. Test their solidity like Grylls would test the ice before stepping on it. Once you’ve found solid ground, plant your flag and start digging deeper.
3. Consistency “Crafting”: Forging a strong routine in your PhD journey is similar to making a fire in the wild – essential for survival. Adopt the “Ritual Flame” method: set specific times for reading, writing, and reflecting, keeping the flame of progress alive. Remember, a steady, small spark can eventually light up the dark forest of research uncertainty.
4. Capacity “Campfire”: Knowing your limits is crucial, much like understanding how close you can sit to a campfire without getting burned. Apply the “Backpack Balance” principle: only take on tasks you can carry without jeopardizing your core journey. It’s better to travel light and reach your destination than to be weighed down by too many commitments.
5. Imposter Syndrome “Island”: Feeling out of place is common in the PhD wilderness, like finding yourself on an unknown island. Combat this with the “Mirror Signal” technique: reflect on your achievements and signal your worries to trusted peers or mentors. Just as Grylls uses signals to be found, this method helps you remember that you’re not alone.
6. Help “Haven”: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s comparable to using a lifeline in case of emergency. Engage in “SOS Networking“: actively reach out to supervisors, colleagues, and support services. Like firing a flare, it will illuminate solutions you might not have seen alone.
7. Rejection “Rapids”: Dealing with rejection, be it from journals, conferences, or funding bodies, is like navigating rapids. Employ the “Resilience Raft” approach: build your raft with feedback, learn from the experience, and paddle forward. The waters of rejection may be choppy, but they eventually lead to the calm seas.
Concluding the Expedition
Embarking on a PhD is a formidable expedition, yet with the right strategies and a dash of humor, it’s a journey that’s not only survivable but also immensely rewarding. Remember, the wilds of academia are traversed by many before you; their paths, marked by trials and triumphs, serve as your guide. With determination, a solid routine, and the willingness to seek help when needed, you too can navigate the challenges. And just like any expedition in the wild, every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory.
The PhD journey is such a unique journey. Some days I feel fueled by the momentum to make real change in the world, and other days I feel lost, in a seemingly perpetual state of limbo where ideas are not flowing, the relevance of my research seems lost to me, and my general sense of belonging in under attack. In this post, I reflect on my almost two-year PhD journey and share some of the challenges I believe most PhDs tend to experience at one point or another.
The Misconception of ‘Enough Time‘
Some of you might disagree, but in my experience, the general misconception of 3-5 years being more than enough time to finish your thesis, needs a bit more careful consideration. The truth about the current academic environment is that the system is set up in a specific way, where you need to publish well if you expect to find a decent job after your PhD. Among some of the more senior PhDs I have spoken to, the general consensus seems to be that preparing for the job market is a really stress-inducing process. Even the more proactive among them, who start these preparations from day one, also don’t seem to navigate this process without some level of discomfort. We can run around and say the system is broken, however, the fact of the matter is that we are PhD students, in the very early stages of a hopefully very long academic career, and fighting the system would ultimately be ‘career suicide’.
So, we must play the game, which often means having an A*/FT job market paper, which by itself is no joke. And in most paper-based PhDs you need 3 papers to complete your thesis. As most of you know, the turn-around time for an average A*/FT paper is at best 2 years (depending on your field). This, together with the fact that we need to have 3 papers for our thesis (granted not all have to be published during your PhD), gives the sense that 3-5 years for a PhD is really not a long time. My takeaway at the moment is that you need to play the academic game (trying to change the game without an established reputation is a recipe for disaster), and be as strategic as possible, by responding to special issues or calls for research from editorials, and regularly attending conferences. All of which increase your chances of finding collaborators and capitalizing on sometimes easier pathways to publication.
The Unproductivity Guilt
Since I am still technically in the earlier stages of my PhD, the struggles of managing my working schedule and routines have somewhat subsided, but often require a bit of TLC. One of the feelings I felt most regularly of all was the feeling of guilt for not working every day all day. This stems from a variety of sources, including my own expectations, my friends and family’s expectations, and my fellow PhDs’ comments/opinions/judgments (please select the option that seems most diplomatic). This ultimately differs from one PhD to the next, but it is important to note that you should not fall into the most common trap (which most PhDs fall into at the start oftheir program) of comparing with other PhDs.
The simple fact of the matter is that no two PhD students have the same schedule, and comparing with each other in terms of the number of hours you work is such a pointless exercise. I also happen to be very guilty of falling into this trap, purely since comparison has always been the tool I used to measure my progress, particularly during high school and university. However, a PhD is a different game, and each PhD journey is significantly different from another. So, my main takeaway here is that you need to work on setting up your ideal workday, that does not depend on any other person, which is customized to your capacity and for your convenience.
Side note: For that PhD in your cohort that always makes a point of commenting on the time you choose to arrive at and leave the office. I recommend embracing the time-traveling gossip with a smile and a shrug – after all, punctuality is its own reward, and being fashionably late to their drama is just icing on the cake!
Conclusion
As we go through this journey, I think it’s important to embrace the confusion and general state of limbo as an essential part of the PhD journey. Stressing about the things we don’t have control over just creates more fog and confusion. Also, remember that this journey of “creating new knowledge” is essentially non-linear and by experiencing this state of limbo or discomfort might just mean that we are on the right track.
I would like to get your take on this discussion, feel free to leave a comment below.
If you are like the rest of us, studying in France is likely something you have dreamt of at one point or another. Who can blame you? The rich culture, cuisine, and personal development are things we all fantasize about. However, what is sometimes less talked about are the difficult and often frustrating administrative processes that international students have to navigate. In this post, I specifically address the French Administrative requirements for international students and provide you with a checklist of things you need to be aware of if you plan to study in France.
Why France?
To provide some pretext, I would find it improper to not highlight the great benefits for international students in France. Far beyond the picturesque landscapes, rich culture, and fairytale-like cities (Strasbourg), international students enjoy access to amazing benefits such as free medical insurance and housing assistance (CAF) which is not typical in most other countries. Unfortunately, these increased benefits give rise to a variety of additional administrative requirements, which at the best of times are still greatly frustrating. So, let’s get straight into the things that you need to know if you intend to study in France as an international student.
Before your arrival
1. Visa – The first obvious step is that you need to secure your visa for traveling to France. Most likely this will be a student visa, and depending on your program it will likely be a long-stay student visa if you intend to pursue your higher education. It’s important to note that these visas will be valid for one year and need to be validated upon your arrival in France (we will discuss this in more detail in the following sections). However, for the first Visa application, you would typically require the following documents.
A valid passport
A passport photo (35-40mm)
An official acceptance letter from your institution
EEF admission certificate & EEF number (you can find out more about the EEF number from the Campus France website
Proof of temporary accommodation – for at least 3 months (this could be a hotel reservation or lease of an apartment)
Proof that you have sufficient funds to support you during your stay (you should be able to prove that you have the equivalent of €615 per month for the duration of your stay)
Proof of medical insurance (typically only for a couple of months to provide you with enough time to sort out your social security benefit)
The completed visa application form
The receipt of your paid visa application fee
2. Health & Personal Insurance – During your stay in France you will need personal insurance, to ensure that you have the necessary coverage for health or other requirements such as repatriation to your home country. For personal insurance that is designed for international students, most people make use of ACS.
3. CVEC – This is the tax for student and campus life contribution that all students enrolled in a higher education institution in France need to pay. This is usually required on or before registration at your institution. You can find out more here.
4. Registration to yourinstitution – In most institutions in France, students are responsible for their registration processes at the institution for the upcoming academic year. Please refer to your specific institution’s online portal for more on these requirements.
5. Preparing your housing application – This is an often frustrating part of the process since you will likely need to have a French Guarantor (with proof of income at least 3 times the rent of the apartment you would like to rent). In cases where you don’t have any person who could be your Guarantor who is living in France, you can use Visale, which is a free option for international students seeking a guarantor. Alternatively, you could use Garantme.
6. Where to search for accommodation – The best option, at least during your initial stay, is to look for an official student residence near your institution. These residences are often more convenient options for international students with sometimes less stringent application requirements than independent apartments. Alternatively, if you prefer to have an independent apartment or studio, you can refer to some of the more reliable accommodation websites such as Studapart and Seloger.
7. French Phone Number (eSIM) – Before your arrival, it’s recommended to have a French phone number. In my case, I made use of an eSIM which I added to my phone that automatically activated upon my arrival in France. You can refer to the following link for more details.
8. Bank account – Another important thing to do before your arrival is to open a French bank account. This is important since you will likely require a French bank account or IBAN for most of the administrative processes such as the CAF and Social Security. Some of the more popular options include BNP Paribas, LCL, Société Général, CCF, and Bred.
Upon your arrival
Once you are all set with your pre-arrival checklist, the next step is your arrival in France. Your arrival, however exciting, also requires a few administrative steps that need to be completed as soon as possible. These include:
1. Visa Validation – Likely the most important requirement for international students upon arrival in France is to validate their visa within 3 months. This visa validation would then act as your temporary residence permit, which you should use together with your passport when traveling. Find out more here.
2. Social Security – When arriving in France, it is advisable to apply for Social Security as soon as possible, since this process is time-consuming and could be the source of many future headaches. You will have to create an account on the Ameli website to get your temporary Social Security number and coverage. However, I would like to highlight a few points that could be helpful during this process.
Birth certificate – Seemingly innocuous, having the incorrect birth certificate could create a lot of frustration, for both you and the French administration. To make sure you get this right the first time, be sure that first, you have a birth certificate that includes both your parents’ full names and ID numbers, and second that it has been translated by a translator certified by the French Courts. You can find certified translators here.
Carte Vitale – The carte vitale will be your official health insurance card that will help you with your healthcare reimbursements. The challenge here is that you will have to order it as soon as possible since it could take a long time to be delivered. Also, it’s important to follow up on the status of your card since communication is sometimes not as efficient as we would like it to be. To order your card you will need to create an Ameli account (which is different from the temporary one you created upon your arrival) using the following link and your temporary social security number. You will however only be able to create this account if your file has been certified. So, it’s important to follow up at the end of your first year at the very latest. If your account has been certified, but you are still unable to create the Ameli account, you can call them via the normal or English-speaking line mentioned below, and they will provide you with a temporary code to activate your account. Once activated you can order your carte vitale, European health insurance card, and link your mutual (supplementary) health insurance to your social security coverage.
The English-speaking line – If you do not yet speak French, you can go to the English pages of the French Social Security website where you will find a dedicated English-speaking line.
3. Transportation Card
Upon your arrival, it is recommended to get your transportation card that will help you get from A to B, especially in Paris and the surrounding areas. It’s called the Navigo card and you can get a pay-as-you-go option if you don’t plan to make frequent use of the public transportation system, or you could opt for monthly subscription options. Alternatively, you can get around by bike, either by getting your own bike or by making use of a subscription bike rental service such as Velib.
4. CAF (Housing Aid) – The CAF housing aid option is one of the best parts of studying in France as an international student with aid as high as €300 per month. To apply you need to create an account on the CAF website using your social security number. Verification could take a while but they do backdate aid from the date of the initial application.
5. Other insurances – In addition to the personal insurance that all international students are required to have, you will also need home insurance as a standard requirement. So, it’s important to make sure you get this as soon as possible and pay attention to your expiration dates.
During your stay
The next requirements, which may not be as pressing as the previously mentioned requirements, deal with the longer-term aspects of your stay. However, you should start preparing for these requirements well in advance.
1. Supplemental health insurance – Supplementary health coverage is not mandatory but it is highly recommended. This will allow you to get a complete refund from the French Social Security system. It’s better to be safe than sorry! You can search for “Mutuelle Santé”, to find the option that fits your needs. One potential option is to make use of the Yvone student health insurance (https://yvon.eu/en/assur-sante/) which would set you back around €15/month.
2. Mobile plan & Internet – If you plan to stay in France for more than a year, it’s advisable to get yourself a French phone number with a good mobile plan. In my case I went with Bouygues Telecom however, there are many others to choose from.
3. Gas & Electricity – Another important box to tick is to set up your Gas & Electricity at your apartment. Here, you will require an IBAN to set up the debit order. If you do not speak French, it’s advisable to find someone at your institution (or a friend) to help you with this as soon as possible, since you need to do this by phone and most of the operators likely don’t speak English.
4. Visa renewal – This may not be such a pressing concern in the initial stages of your first year, however, it’s a really important step to prepare for. You will need to submit a renewal request for your residence permit at most 4 months (and at least 1 month) before the expiration of your current residence permit (the visa that you validated upon your arrival). It’s important to apply as soon as possible since the process tends to take a long time. You will need to communicate with your institution ahead of time so that they provide you with the necessary documentation (registration certificates etc.) so that you are ready as soon as the renewal window opens. After your application, you will (assuming your documents were in order) get a certificate of a favorable decision, which will state that your residence permit is in production, and will function as an official document for travel purposes. It’s important to note that when you travel, you always keep your prior residence permit (validated visa) together with the certificate of favorable decision.
5. Tax registration – If applying for citizenship or long-term residence is your aim, it’s advisable to register for tax after your first year in France. Even if you are not earning enough to pay tax you declare that you earn below the minimum threshold. The tax declaration window opens in April of every year for the preceding year. If it’s your first time declaring tax, you will need to declare it on paper and physically hand it in at your local Financial Centre. After which you will receive a notice by post that you have declared your taxes.
Here it is important to note that you can submit your documents via post to your local financial center, or deposit them at your specified financial center’s reception points (usually a pigeon hole where you can drop your documents at all hours)
Also, it is advisable to always include a cover letter when sending documents to any French Administration authority (in French) to give some context to your situation and highlight the documents included in the envelope.
To find your local tax center (SIP) – complete the following form and provide your address for a list of reception points.
Optional: You could send a “Lettre recommandée” which is a registered letter via the French Postal service. This letter provides confirmation of delivery by requiring a recipient’s signature – for those requiring that little extra peace of mind.
Work during your stay
If you plan on working during your stay in France as an international student, it is important to note that you are only allowed to work a maximum of 20 hours per week. It’s recommended to start by asking your institutions if there are any student job opportunities available to you. However, alternative options include Indeed, Student Pop (mostly for French speakers), or Jobaviz.
Emergency Numbers (in France)
Finally, it’s important to be aware of the different emergency numbers at your disposal. It is also recommended that you save some of these numbers in your phone so that they are easily accessible in case of emergency.
112 – For (only) European Emergencies and is free of charge anywhere in the European Union.
15 – If you are in urgent need of medical assistance.
18 – For the fire brigade.
17 – For the Police.
114 – Emergency number for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Conclusion
This exhaustive list may seem overwhelming at first glance but it is manageable if you remain proactive. Now that you are aware of all the administrative requirements, you have more time to explore the beauty and culture that France has to offer.
Let me know in the comments if I overlooked anything important or if you have some more insights that might be helpful for current and prospective international students.
This topic sparks a growing debate among established scholars across various domains. Most well-established scholars tend to view replication research as a waste of time, often arguing that Validation is NOT New and likely not publishable. However, in recent years the tide has been changing, with various academics and Journals starting to encourage more replication research, with the intent to solidify what we know, so that it provides the foundation for future theory development. In this text, I aim to give some additional information that might be valuable to early career researchers (particularly PhD students), and anyone else curious about replication research.
What is Replication Research?
Upon reflection, the natural starting point is to explain what is meant by replication research, and how this differs from that which scholars often refer to as “novel research”. My interpretation is that there generally are three types of replication research, as shown below.
Pure Replication
Exact (or as close to exact as possible) replication of the original study.
Constructive Replication
Replicating the original study but improving one or more of the methodological aspects. To provide for a more robust re-examination of the original study.
Replication and Extension
Replicating and extending often entails replicating the original study but extending it to a different context or by adding to/improving the original theoretical framework.
Whichever type of replication you consider doing depends greatly on the study which you aim to replicate, and on your intentions for doing so. If you intend to help solidify the body of knowledge within your domain, a pure (or quasi) replication of the original paper is the way to go. This is because the boundaries tend to become blurred between a replication and extension and novel research since all novel research (especially in the social sciences) is to some extent a replication of prior literature.
Choosing which study to replicate?
Choosing the right (or an appropriate) study to replicate is probably the most important part of conducting a replication study. Because if we aim to solidify the foundation of previous knowledge, we need to ask ourselves the following questions.
Where do the foundations come from?
How do I argue the need for replicating the study?
The first question is not as easy as it may sound. For most, they would flock to the studies that are considered “seminal” within their respective fields. Likely the most common ways people endeavor to find these papers are to go look for the most cited papers in the most highly ranked journals. However, this approach has some pitfalls that one needs to be aware of. For instance, just because a paper has the most citations it does not necessarily mean that it has had the greatest impact. Citation counts often follow trending topics and the trendier the topic the more conflated the citation counts may be. The next concern is choosing the most appropriate database for determining citation counts with the most popular being Google Scholar, CrossRef, and Scopus, all with differing results. Therefore, identifying seminal papers based on citation counts only provides for the relative impact of papers and requires further and more careful consideration.
After doing your due diligence in identifying the papers that have most likely had the greatest impact in your domain, one needs to consider why replicating the study is even necessary. Because the odds are that multiple studies fit into this “seminal” category, and how does one argue for replicating one instead of the others? Well, there are two common avenues one could consider in addition to arguing for the paper’s relative impact (citation count).
Arguing why the replication would be valuable in today’s context.
Highlighting a part of the theoretical framework that might not hold in today’s context.
Even though the attitude toward replication research is changing, it does not necessarily mean it will be easier to publish. One would argue that the difficulty of publishing replication research has been the main reason why most scholars tend to shy away from replicating prior studies. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel, with some journals launching special issues using pre-registration to motivate scholars to conduct more replication research.
Replication as an opportunity for PhD students.
Reflecting on the challenges that PhD students face in today’s academic environment, it’s becoming more important to play the “academic game”, which essentially means you need to publish well and do so frequently. For most PhD students it’s really difficult to publish well while still graduating on time. For these students, I recommend seriously considering replication research as a starting point for their academic journey. This is because conducting a replication study as your “first” article provides you with the opportunity to explore the literature and sharpen up your methodological skills and analyses while not losing too much of your precious time. This might be particularly helpful for students struggling to identify a topic or specific research question, to get the wheels in motion.
Therefore, since Academic Journals are increasingly looking for more replication research, I urge Ph.D. students and early career researchers to seriously consider this largely untapped avenue for publication. In addition to the personal benefits, conducting replication research will likely also help your domain solidify the foundation on which prior knowledge is built, which is a net benefit for the field and would reflect well on your reputation.
If you want to read more about replication research, have a look at the following papers to get you started.
Articles
Bettis, R. A., Helfat, C. E., & Shaver, J. M. (2016). The necessity, logic, and forms of replication. Strategic Management Journal, 37(11), 2193-2203.
Gattiker, T. F., Hartmann, J., Wynstra, F., Pagell, M., Cantor, D., Yan, T., & Tate, W. (2022). Testing the shoulders of giants—Replication research using registered reports. Journal of Supply Chain Management,58(3), 89-94.
True to the name of the blog “Research Reflections” I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on my PhD journey so far. The immediate question that comes to mind “Is PhD for me?”. This is a question that comes up regularly for me, my friends, and fellow PhDs. The answer though, is not straightforward and differs from one person to the next. Therefore, I aim to share my personal opinions (likely super biased) on why someone would want (or not want) to depart on this so-called treacherous journey.
To void any looming suspense, let’s start with the reasons why most people tend not to want to pursue a PhD. This part is directed specifically at those bright-eyed and ambitious people who are considering doing a PhD and need a real perspective on the potential hardships that may accompany such a commitment.
The real (or bad) parts of pursuing a PhD
The (un)balanced life – The biggest challenge for me, is the personal sacrifices that you will inevitably have to make. Most likely, if PhD is your goal, the prestige of the university and the availability of fully funded programs will likely lead you to move away from home. This may not be a big deal to most people, however, the challenge of moving to a new country, making new friends, and potentially having to learn a new language is a daunting one. This typically means you will have to put in a lot more effort in maintaining your social life than was normally the case in your hometown. Even worse this will take up more of the time you could have spent doing what you are there to do, complete your thesis. Let me not even get started on all the administrative requirements to maintain your status in the country. All of this is to say, that doing a thesis is only one part of the PhD journey, and maintaining balance is often considered as wishful thinking.
Imposter syndrome – Likely the most referenced part of any PhD journey is the feeling that you don’t belong or deserve to be in whatever program you got admitted to. Here I aim to be brief since I feel this is a sometimes overhyped, even though very valid, topic of discussion, that is not necessarily limited to the PhD journey but will likely follow you into your roles. For me, and my fellow PhDs I say this. It is no mistake that you got accepted. The admission processes are typically very rigorous and consider all academic and personal considerations for admitting you, a decision they do not make lightly, especially for funded programs. Therefore, if you get accepted, you most likely have what it takes academically, the rest, however, is up to you and how you manage yourself through this journey. That being said, fighting that feeling of imposter syndrome will become increasingly difficult throughout, and it’s crucial to be aware of this and try to actively manage these feelings of illegitimacy. One of the best ways I have seen and experienced is to be sure to share this journey with other PhDs in your department, school, or community.
A lonely journey – The final “bad” part I found (this far) is that the PhD inevitably ends up being a lonely journey. The misconception of being around people does not necessarily alleviate this feeling since a thesis is largely a personal project and people tend to either not share their struggles with fellow PhDs or find it hard to explain and share their experiences with people outside of the PhD program. Even though we are yet to solve this feeling (which I am not convinced is possible), I have observed some things that help. For instance, going to the office or shared spaces with fellow PhDs and sharing more openly your challenges and roadblocks.
Now for the nice part…
The best parts of pursuing a PhD
The actual outcome – So the obvious outcome is that when you complete the PhD it will provide you with a few career trajectories, whether that be industry or academia. In most cases PhD will be a great asset, and of course, having a PhD is a necessity for pursuing a career in academia. Also, if you are like me, another great part is that you will be able to constantly quench your thirst for knowledge (such a cliché I know) and ultimately become an expert in your chosen field. Also, it provides you with the platform, if so desired, to have an impact on the world or at least the small part of the world in which you decided to become an expert.
The friends you make – My number one takeaway so far is the people I have met and the friends that I have made. From being one of my greatest fears in moving abroad to becoming the greatest asset for my PhD, the people I have had the pleasure of meeting have been the highlight of my journey. An international PhD program provides you with the opportunity to meet people across various walks of life, be it different nationalities, cultures, or age groups. These are the relationships you will likely have for many years beyond the PhD program.
Personal growth – Another great takeaway would be the personal growth that accompanies the PhD journey. As likely every PhD student/graduate would attest, a PhD will test your physical, intellectual, and emotional boundaries far beyond what you have ever experienced. From this, you will learn more about yourself, allowing you to separate your real priorities from those that are superficial.
Traveling – Leaving the best for last (for some of you anyway) are the countless opportunities that a PhD provides you to travel and explore different countries, cultures, and languages. Apart from the personal and spontaneous traveling that occurs through meeting new people and making new friends from all around the world, a PhD program typically provides you with opportunities to travel for international seminars, conferences, or collaborations. My list of “official” visits to date includes Germany, France, England, Spain, and Italy.
It’s important to remember that the good and bad parts of a PhD are likely unique to every person. The main takeaways should not be the specific good or bad parts of the PhD journey, but the fact that making such a decision is a huge commitment requiring a lot of introspection and careful consideration. However, the PhD journey for me has been rewarding in so many ways and allowed me to grow more than I ever could have imagined. If you did end up taking the plunge and pursuing your PhD, please feel free to leave a comment and share some of the reasons that made you want to pursue your PhD.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
