Should I Consider Studying Physics Abroad for Better Opportunities?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the considerations of studying physics abroad versus pursuing a more stable career path, such as medicine, particularly in the context of limited opportunities in the participant's home country. Participants explore the implications of their educational choices, the potential for scholarships, and the societal pressures influencing their decisions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the lack of quality education in physics in their developing country and the fear of not achieving their dream of obtaining a PhD.
  • Another participant encourages persistence in pursuing one's dreams despite societal pressures to choose more conventional career paths.
  • There is a clarification regarding the terminology used for different professions, distinguishing between "physicists" and "physicians," and discussing the potential for careers in medical physics.
  • Some participants share their experiences of seeking opportunities abroad for graduate studies in physics, highlighting the importance of scholarships.
  • Questions arise about the possibility of choosing elective courses that could enhance employability while studying physics.
  • Concerns are raised about the rigid educational tracks in the participant's country, limiting their ability to switch majors or explore other fields.
  • Participants discuss the implications of choosing between mathematics and biology as high school majors and the subsequent impact on their future studies.
  • There is a suggestion that moving abroad could provide better opportunities for studying physics, contingent on obtaining a scholarship.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the feasibility and desirability of studying physics versus medicine, with no clear consensus on the best path forward. Some advocate for pursuing physics despite challenges, while others highlight the practical considerations of job security and societal expectations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their educational systems, including the inability to change majors after high school and the societal pressures that influence their choices. The discussion reflects a variety of personal circumstances and aspirations, which complicate the decision-making process.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students contemplating their educational paths in physics or related fields, particularly those facing societal or systemic constraints in their home countries.

Zenkstorm
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I am passionate about physics ,but if I choose physics as a major I may not have any career as my country is a developing one and physics studying here is also bad -- professors and curriculums aren't satisfiable -- and somehow boring . The other choice is to study medicine -- though I don't like it -- and have a good career , a family , a stable life etc . Did any of you face a similar situation ?
What should I do ? Iam completely puzzled and scared of choosing physics and then If I didn't achieve my dream and get a PhD , I'll end up loosing everything .
P.s : In my country , there is no chance to change major , if I chose medicine I can't change it and have physics later and it's the same thing if I chose physics .
P.s 2 : I am a girl and my society doesn't like female physicians .
Thanks in advance !
 
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I would tell anyone that gets in the way of your dreams and recommends you to 'have a family, settle down, get a good job', to stick it.

It will be difficult to accomplish your dream, but that's life... Persistence persistence persistence, and you will get there.
 
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Someone who studies Physics or does research dedicated to Physics is not a "physician". Someone who becomes a medical doctor would often be called a "physician". Someone who earns a degree in Physics or directly related and becomes a "medical physicist" is a "medical physicist", but not a "physician".

What else are you allowed to study other than Physics or Medicine? Is engineering a possible choice for you where you are? Is anything in biological or health sciences a choice for you, like maybe Microbiology (if it interests you)?
 
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Zenkstorm said:
Did any of you face a similar situation ?
I kind of do. In my country, researches in the field of physical science, and natural science in general actually, do not develop to the point where you can get a balance between money and job satisfaction. It's heavier on the former. Realizing this situation, I chose to fly beyond my country's boundary to do my graduate in physics and live in the destination country on a scholarship. So, I would like to ask you, are you in a situation where getting awarded a scholarship is still feasible for you?
 
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symbolipoint said:
Someone who studies Physics or does research dedicated to Physics is not a "physician". Someone who becomes a medical doctor would often be called a "physician". Someone who earns a degree in Physics or directly related and becomes a "medical physicist" is a "medical physicist", but not a "physician".

What else are you allowed to study other than Physics or Medicine? Is engineering a possible choice for you where you are? Is anything in biological or health sciences a choice for you, like maybe Microbiology (if it interests you)?
Actually I have all these choices ,but I want physics XD . thanks for the information :) .
 
blue_leaf77 said:
I kind of do. In my country, researches in the field of physical science, and natural science in general actually, do not develop to the point where you can get a balance between money and job satisfaction. It's heavier on the former. Realizing this situation, I chose to fly beyond my country's boundary to do my graduate in physics and live in the destination country on a scholarship. So, I would like to ask you, are you in a situation where getting awarded a scholarship is still feasible for you?
Yeah ! In fact , getting a scholarship is my first goal :) because as I said " curriculums here sucks ! " and I want to study physics as it is - beautiful and fun - not as they want to make it look like :)
 
Zenkstorm said:
Actually I have all these choices ,but I want physics XD . thanks for the information :) .
Are you allowed to pick major field of Physics, and choose other elective courses which might make you employable for some good salary career other than as a physicist? Could you consider something other than Physics as major field and include other elective courses to be employable as something other than as physicist?

Your scholarship idea and studying somewhere else seems like a better plan.
 
symbolipoint said:
Are you allowed to pick major field of Physics, and choose other elective courses which might make you employable for some good salary career other than as a physicist? Could you consider something other than Physics as major field and include other elective courses to be employable as something other than as physicist?

Your scholarship idea and studying somewhere else seems like a better plan.
Sorrowfully no , at class 12 ( last year of high school ) we are devided into two groups depending on the major ( biology major and mathematics major ) and when you choose one of them you can't change . If you choose mathematics , you are allowed to study ( natural science , engineering , programming etc ) and if you choose biology here is what you can choose from ( medicine , pharmacy, dentistry and other biology based science ) .
 
Zenkstorm said:
Sorrowfully no , at class 12 ( last year of high school ) we are devided into two groups depending on the major ( biology major and mathematics major ) and when you choose one of them you can't change . If you choose mathematics , you are allowed to study ( natural science , engineering , programming etc ) and if you choose biology here is what you can choose from ( medicine , pharmacy, dentistry and other biology based science ) .
Your high school puts students into either of two tracks. For you, choosing "Mathematics Major". Do you still have the same choices after high school for Natural Sciences, Engineering, Programming, and etcetera? The inference is that , "no", you need to choose something from the list and stay with it.
 
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  • #10
symbolipoint said:
Your high school puts students into either of two tracks. For you, choosing "Mathematics Major". Do you still have the same choices after high school for Natural Sciences, Engineering, Programming, and etcetera? The inference is that , "no", you need to choose something from the list and stay with it.
Yeah I have the same choices . now I am choosing between mathematics and biology and that's why I am confused
 
  • #11
Zenkstorm said:
Yeah I have the same choices . now I am choosing between mathematics and biology and that's why I am confused
The best choice for after high school seems to be the Mathematics choice, and you could choose something from the list available within "Mathematics". Would these choices be like, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Geology or Geophysics, or anything which might also be in this listing?

Where does Chemistry fit in the two tracks?
 
  • #12
symbolipoint said:
The best choice for after high school seems to be the Mathematics choice, and you could choose something from the list available within "Mathematics". Would these choices be like, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Geology or Geophysics, or anything which might also be in this listing?

Where does Chemistry fit in the two tracks?

Indeed , Chemistry fits in both of them :)
 
  • #13
What do you think about moving abroad? I mean, is it an option for you to move to another country (eg US) provided you get a scholarship to study? I think this way you could somehow "easily" do physics
 
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