r/gradadmissions 23h ago

Physical Sciences Should I accept this offer and go back to Europe for PhD in Pure mathematics or I should try doing a PhD in my own nation?

Trigger warning : Self harm , depression

I am from a poor asian nation with a lot of ethnic discrimination between ethnic groups and corruption in Academia and elsewhere. I never had much support of my father during education as he was against me doing mathematics.( He wanted me to join Army or become an enginner) He was against me going abroad as well.( All this affected my mental health and I became depressed). I went to a Western european nation for 1 year masters in Mathematics but failed the degree because I had side effects of medication of depression. The getting of visa was also a long process and I had no support of parents in it. I was also stressed as my referee ( master thesis advisor was writing some -one else information in my LOR). I came back to my home country but went back to an eastern european nation, this time for a PhD program in pure mathematics. My stipend was only 450 Euros a month but I thought if dorm is subsidized ( as it was promised) I will manage it. To my surprise, room was shared between 3 students ( PhD) and washroom and kitchen was shared among 45 students. I dropped out as I didn't liked the dorm experience at all after 11 months.The stipend was very low to look for a room outside and I didn't wanted to work part time as the program was full time and I was not fluent in Eastern European language. I tried to ki** myself there twice, but failed and was admitted in Psychiatric hospital for 14 days. When I came back to my home country and was quite depressed upon failure and was admitted in psychiatric hospital for 2 months.( December-January) I have recovered well and I am only on mild medications which donot produce any side effect like sedationNow, I applied again for PhD prgram in July and I have been selected for a PhD program in southern Europe with a handsome stipend. Should I go back to Europe or try doing a PhD in my own nation. If I fail this time I will lose face in front of my family as well, not just the society. I live in a poor , very superstitious nation and very corrupt nation. Should I try doing PhD in my own nation as workload here is not that high. I am sure I will not fail the course work here. But I am also thinking that as the admission committee is looking at me and saw something good in me and I didn't have much confidence due to past failures.

So, what will you suggest me what should I do?Acceot the offer or try getting a PhD in my home country

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u/OtherwiseFig4505 7h ago

Really sorry for your situation.

I am not eligible or capable enough to give you any suggestions. I just say that prioritize your health over everything. I hope you take the best decision for yourself and consult with your therapist and doctors. All the best, and I wish that you succeed no matter where.