Grad student stipend issue - WWYD?

[Dar]

So, I'm in my second year of a PhD program in the social sciences. I love my university, I love the people I work with, and everything so far has been great. All of the students in my program are guaranteed tuition waivers and stipends that we can actually live on for at least 5 years, as a mixture of fellowships and TAships.

Last spring I was invited to participate in an educational exchange program at a highly regarded European university during the spring 2010 semester (which begins in early March). It's not the area where I work, but many people from that area live in this country, and there are scholars there who could probably help me out. Still, I wavered a bit, because it didn't seem like a great fit for me, but I ultimately said yes. My daughter will be in Russia during most of the semester but her program ends a month before my semester does, so the plan was for her to join me and we could spend some time hanging out and exploring Europe together. She is really excited about this idea.

Last week the people involved in the exchange program started talking to us (the two other grad students going and me) about the nuts and bolts of the program, including the amount of our stipend there. When I converted it to dollars, I discovered that I'm essentially getting more than 25% *less* than I would in the US - that's well over $2000 less - even though I'll be living in an area with a much higher COL.

I'd been told all along that I would get a stipend there, same as here, it would just come through that university. Clearly that's not true - IMO, it's not the same at all. This is only the second year of the program, and apparently the person from my department who went last year either didn't notice or didn't care... but I really do. I emailed the professor in charge of the program about this but I haven't heard back from him.

So, what would you do? I'm really leaning towards not going, but I've just completed the seminar here with the three grad students from the other country and really in a sense the program is half complete... there wouldn't be a way to get someone else to do it, I don't think. Maybe. I imagine they wouldn't be happy with me, but I'm not really happy with them either.

If I stay here, I can save enough money so that Rain and I can still travel Europe a bit this summer... and my department will give me some money for the summer to do some preliminary work in the country I study, which will get me close to Europe, and I can then do that with Rain and also spend time in Europe.

Except for this, my university has been pretty darn perfect, so I don't want to make a hasty decision... but I need than money. The way our stipends work, we get almost nothing in August and September, and so I need to have some saved to pay for Rain's insurance and college tuition and books... and I want to have some money to travel Europe with her, because it will be a great opportunity and she really wants to. Besides, I feel misled, and I don't like it...

[Jenne]

You know, this probably isn't a popular opinion here, and you may be ethically/morally opposed to it...

But I'd get a credit card and go. I would use the credit responsibly to meet living expenses and see Europe with my daughter.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you and your daughter. Life has a way of getting in the way of future plans.

Seize this opportunity!

I was leery about going to Europe on credit when I got divorced in 2006. That was some of the best money I have ever spent and each month when I sent the check to pay it off I smiled with the great memories.

Or---

Could you get a/ an additional student loan from school? This may even be a better plan because of better interest rates and deferring the payment until you have graduated (if you want).

The trips I have taken with my Mom have been some of the best times I have had. Go for it!

Jenne

[GoestoShow]

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Edited by GoestoShow - 1/3/11 at 12:10pm

[Dar]

Cost of living where I'm going is much higher. Think London, although it's actually more expensive than London. I'm in St. Louis, where things are cheap.

And I'll still do Europe with Rain... she won't leave Russia until after classes here are done, and like I said, I can get some seed money for summer travel from my department.

I am really reluctant to take on more debt for this, since I really don't even like Europe. Rain does, but I'd rather be in north Africa or the Middle East...

[Geofizz]

Dar,

I wonder if part of the issue here is that the source of the money is different for this program. We actually pay people different amounts for TA and RA, and those on fellowship sometimes make more, and sometimes they make less than other students. The discrepancy is generally unnoticed by those making decisions (faculty), or those that make these decisions don't see the implications for students.

Will you be being paid in euros or dollars? The dollar is so weak, that you will be at an advantage if you could be paid in euros.

Our university has a number of small fellowships to support international activities for students, both graduate and undergrad. Some will have restrictions on them, but others will be more like scholarships and stipends. Check into whatever resources might be available for these opportunities in your university.

Sounds like a great opportunity for both of you. I really hope you can make it work.

[Dar]

At my university here, nearly all PhD students get the same amount, whether through RA, TA, or fellowship. There are a handful of special fellowships that pay more, but you are awarded those when you are admitted and you hold those throughout your enrollment.

I'll be paid in euros, but I was making my calculations based on the current exchange rate.

We also don't have the option of living in student housing, apparently, because it's too late now to apply, so I'll have to find a place to live on my own...

[Ellien C]

Not an academic.... so what do I know....

Is there anyway that large, well-funded mid-western university might offer a grant or something to you to make up the difference? Can you ask like everyone you encounter if there is any possibility of finding a source of additional funding or scholarship or grant for such an opportunity? To make up the difference? You would know better than I, but I've heard of places pulling funding out of X___X (unmentionable nether region) for all sorts of things.

[Geofizz]

Ellien, that was my point, that most universities have small fellowships that cover certain aspects of international travel, so while they wouldn't necessarily be "stipend," they would free up other money for living expenses.

Some of those funds are tough to locate, which makes the process more frustrating. However, tough to locate means that competition is low, increasing your chances of getting some money.

[Dar]

I can check into that... it's all being coordinated by one of our professors here and his counterpart in Europe, not through the university as a whole, really... and he just emailed back and said, basically, the stipends are what they are and the students who went on the exchange last year found them perfectly adequate. Yeah, well... the two people I knew from last year wound up sharing a studio apartment and one "borrowed" money from mom and dad at the end... and they're both single without dependents. The email just rubbed me the wrong way.

And it's not like I can get a job for the month and a half when our semester has started and theirs has... actually, I won't even have a place to live, because I can't afford it.

So, I'm emailing my advisor, who has wanted to meet with me anyway. Maybe she can help.

[GranoLLLy-girl]

Originally Posted by Dar

At my university here, nearly all PhD students get the same amount, whether through RA, TA, or fellowship. There are a handful of special fellowships that pay more, but you are awarded those when you are admitted and you hold those throughout your enrollment.

I'll be paid in euros, but I was making my calculations based on the current exchange rate.

We also don't have the option of living in student housing, apparently, because it's too late now to apply, so I'll have to find a place to live on my own...

I might be the odd one out here--but I don't think I'd do it. It sounds as if your daughter has opportunities to travel abroad and now is not the best time to do it financially.
I think that (at least in my situation) university supervisors want students to take advantage of things that THEY see as an advantage to THEM and to their lot at the university--and I can say this with some clout---I have a PhD.
I went to one of the best universities in the U.S.--and I am very proud of my accomplishment---and I have two books under my belt in my field, thanks to that. But just to share with you my experience--last year it was suggested that I submit my research to a consortium and a conference where I would have the opportunity to speak. I completed the proposal and was accepted as a speaker--the trip was still in the U.S. but on the other side of the country from me (literally, I currently live in Virginia and the speaking engagement was in California). Come to find out, even though my former university advisor wanted me to go--they did not offer me any financial support. Of course, I guess I don't blame them--I graduated two years before this--but still, they were the ones who called the conference to my attention and "suggested" that I submit.
As it turned out--I found a job last year and my new boss said that it was against the university's policy to let untenured (but tt) faculty attend conferences that they did not endorse--long story--but I got out of it gracefully.
So I didn't go. I don't regret it. I mean, I know it's not the same as going to Europe--but the bottom line is, travel that you can't justify financially is just not wise. I think at this day and age, money is a serious issue for most people. Both my husband and I are employed--but I still wouldn't do it.
And finding a job after completing a PhD is much harder than one might think. There are so many more PhDs than every before. Don't mean to burst your bubble--but I think it is wise for you to consider the serious effects that this would have on your financial situation.
Just my two cents.

[Carita]

I would do it. for 2K - I would do it. But I would still put my foot down for the money. I think the contribution to your graduate experience and credentials is well worth the 2K. I understand its not your dream trip, but maybe it will open doors there.

[Penelope]

You sound reluctant for a few reasons.

One, it's not the research opportunity of your dreams, by any means.

Two, it sounds like it's going to be a struggle to make ends meet if you go.

Honestly, I'd be very frank with the hosting institution, tell them that unfortunately, the financial difference between stipends is making it impossible for you to go. They may cough up more money, they may not. You'd have to be willing to not go if you went this route, but it might turn out to be affordable if you ask.

But if they don't come up with more money - then I'd keep the stability you've staked out and save your money for the *actual* research opportunity of your dreams. If you and Rain can still go to Europe and travel on a more limited budget, then I'd do that instead of something that's going to stretch you and is not your ideal situation.