Beachside Yuletide
School’s out for summer
As we head into our (somewhat) sunny holiday season here in the Southern Hemisphere, I am looking forward to wrapping up the final year of my PhD in 2025.
I’ve loved being at university, I think my calling is to be a perpetual student. Since 2004 I have attended; Junior College along the Sierra Mountains, Fashion School in San Francisco, gained a Creative Writing degree in Sonoma County, an online certificate in community climate initiatives, another in public administration, an MS in Environmental Policy, and now here I am, undertaking a PhD in Health Sciences, advocating for nature and time spent outdoors in natural settings as another tool for mental health intervention.
Most of the degrees are essentially useless now that I am in a new country -I am also grossly in debt- but I wouldn’t change a thing. Those years gave me countless experiences of learning alongside classmates, having my views challenged, hearing a range of different perspectives, all were priceless.
Now… I have no idea what I’ll do once this program wraps up. My visa -which my entire family is currently tied to- is dependent on me finding a permanent full time position 2 years after I hand in my thesis. I like to kid myself into thinking I have the option of either remaining in academia or going back to the office grind, preferably something in community services with the local Council.
Today though, I’m grateful we have a quirky wee home (heritage listed, built in the 1800s with warped floors from the Christchurch earthquakes), and lovely Seattle-esque weather; often cold and windy, which I’ve always longed for.
Our daughter is heading into primary school just a few months after the holiday break (no active shooter drills here!) and I still can’t quite believe we flew over on a visitor visa in 2022 with just 3 months to figure out how to stay.
Here’s to at least another 3 years in the land of the long white cloud.
Happy Holidays! x
Wow, what an adventure you're on! I want to know more about this education journey! Fashion school? Creative Writing? So cool!
"Since 2004 I have attended; Junior College along the Sierra Mountains, Fashion School in San Francisco, gained a Creative Writing degree in Sonoma County, an online certificate in community climate initiatives, another in public administration, an MS in Environmental Policy, and now here I am, undertaking a PhD in Health Sciences, advocating for nature and time spent outdoors in natural settings as another tool for mental health intervention."
This post resonated big time! I have been contemplating a PhD (or EdD) journey and reading this was serendipitous for many reasons. Thank you for sharing your journey!