Is it possible to apply a Ph.D in HongKong? - (Sep/10/2007 )
Hello,Everybody!
Now, I am doing my Ph.D in the best research institute of my field in the mainland of China? But I get in trouble. I can't describe it detailedly, because it is too complicated. http://www.protocol-online.org/forums/inde...showtopic=29813 (please check this first)
But the main problem isn't that. My project is concerning reverse genetics system. You know, this project needs much money. But the second boss directing us has never done some experiments like this. So he gave me some wrong suggestions in the critical points, whereas luckily I didn't accept his bad suggestions. And until now, I haven't told him the truth about the experiments. Because every student here don't like to communicate with him. What we need to do is only to obey his words. No any our ideas at all. In fact, the boss has enough money, but he is too mean in the process of experiments. Can u believe we use the fetal calf seruma of last century now? So I want to abandon the degree here. And apply for a Ph.D in another place. Can anybody here do me a favor? Introduce good mentors in Hongkong or some mentors in the university like stockholm university? But I think it is impossible and unpractical for me to apply a Ph.D in university so good as Oxford University? The real reason I have only told friend-Minnie Mouse is too complicated. So if there is no possible for me to leave here, I will choose to endure and stay. Can someone give me some practical suggesgtions?
Jack
Hi, I would like to help you, however, I am actually a "Chem guy", and all professor I heard about are doing chemistry research....anyway, I can ask some people to see whether they know some professor want research student.
and well, I think the most difficult thing is that, if you quit and then join the other research group, then, it might make your old boss unhappy. And...I think you should know what I am talking about.....The new boss you chose should be "big" enough so that he dare the anger of your old boss, but if he is so big, there should be a lot of student applying for......
And if your boss is a giant, then you could face a lot of problem in your research life if you still stay in this field.......
and well, I think the most difficult thing is that, if you quit and then join the other research group, then, it might make your old boss unhappy. And...I think you should know what I am talking about.....The new boss you chose should be "big" enough so that he dare the anger of your old boss, but if he is so big, there should be a lot of student applying for......
And if your boss is a giant, then you could face a lot of problem in your research life if you still stay in this field.......
Yes, what you said is really right.
Thanks! I am glad to get your help. But I think I should communicate with you about some important things.
My second boss is from a relatively different field. Firstly, he doesn't has the enough ability to direct most Ph.D students in my lab. Now, another Ph.D student here has already stopped communicating with him at all. There is only one professor in this institute who is able to direct the Ph.D students to doing research concerning reverse genetics system. But my second boss despises him and never talked with him. They also don't like each other and will never say hello to each other when met. Therefore, the Ph.D students here can't get the boss' help. All the postgraduates whether in his lab or in my lab both dislike him and some hate him. Secondly, he is too mean in the process of doing research. He is very notorious in doing this in this institute.
Because he treats students so badly, my first boss knows something about that, I think. However, he is capable of flattering the leaders in this institute. So the leader here open one eye and close the other eye. Even few days ago, a teacher in my lab has been staying in this lab for ten years. She is very experienced, but was forced to leave this lab and went to the factory as a worker. Everyday, she needs to inoculate 2000 chicken embryos, whereas she needn't to endure the spiritual torture anymore.
A few years ago, there are some Ph.D students with good background in his lab who quarrelled with him and then had abandoned the degree here. So I think if I leave here, it doesn't matter for my first boss. Another reason is that my first boss doesn't care about his students, so if I leave , I think he will not angry. In fact, it is a very normal phenomenon in the mainland. If I apply a Ph.D in a really good university in HongKong, I think perhaps at least my first boss will not oppose, though he can't connect the mentor in HongKong for me. So I think the mentor in HongKong I will apply for or you will help me to find maybe not the biggest boss. If he is a good mentor(very important) and big enough mentor for my Ph.D, maybe not the biggest one (of course, if he can make a good influence for my future and is a biggest boss, that is better.), that will be fine.
Anyway, thank you very much.
Jackcaas
Hi Jackcaas,
You can go to the universities websites and see their research areas.
You may not need your current mentor as a referee...
You may be able to ask your Professor at your university (where you completed your Bachelor) to write you a recommandation letter.
BTW your current mentors may not need to know about it. You may wish to tell them after you are accepted into another university.
Just a warning...
Many mentors do not like to take a PhD student who have dropped out before... due to problem with mentor.
You may need a very good reason for leaving your PhD... such as poor funding
Hope this help.
Minnie Mouse:
Hi! What you said is also very right. I know Many mentors do not like to take a PhD student who have dropped out before... due to problem with mentor.
In fact, so to speak, I has the best relationship with the second boss in this lab. I has never disrespect him. So the second boss treat me not good and not bad. He almost treats nobody well. But I know the situation very well here. Have you seen the movie" The Shawshank Redemption". Though the situation here is not so bad as that in the film, there are some similar points. You know in the film, with the time passing by, the protagonist-andy was the most influential person in the jail. Many prisoners respected him. But he knew the situation more clear-headed than any other prisoners. He knew what would his life be in the future. I think this can explain my situation here in some way.
I think it is not so easy to judge it only in right or wrong. That is very complicated. For one thing, I have my own goals. For another, the whole atmosphere in this lab is so bad, not my own problem with the boss. You know in my eyes, the protagonist-andy at least has the good relationship with the warden on the surface. Ahthough they had different purposes and different ways to achieve their own goals. However, I should be aware that this is the real world, not in the film. Because in the film, it is too extreme. In reality, the situation is more complicated. And I believe, in the end, perhaps nobody was hurt. After all, this is not the prison. I think sometimes I like to think over something quietly. Many situation is complex, need to be brooded over. Of course, why does my second boss become this kind of person? I got to hear of some information about his past. So I understood him and the situation here well. So do my experiments. I went through some obstacles in my experiments without any directing suggestions from the boss. But you know it is too tired and a waste of collective wits. There is almost no inheritable experience in this lab. Even very small assay details need to be explored by every student. So I want to go another place to follow a good mentor (really treat students well). And exert myself and my passion to this field. I know maybe it is only a dream, so I also need to do my curent job attentively. Meanwhile, hope I can get someone's help.
Developing my own abilities is most important, especially in hard time and hard situation.
Jackcaas
In fact, it is really very hard every day for every student in my lab. However, I think I am the unique one here. I don't want to endure for the rest time of my Ph.D life. I can't concentrate fully on my experiment, because of too many things I need to think about and have to think about everyday. Few days later, when I finish present part of whole experiments, I want to talk with my first boss. I know the result may be not good, but I have to try. I hope I can have another way to choose, like go to another place to apply for a Ph.D. So I still hope Leaving here for a new beginning is the last resort for me and wish that someone can help me. My email box:
jamesalexander@163.com
I can't say how excellent I am. But I dare say that I am a honest and a little brave man.
Thanks for the people who care for me.