55. Moving My Family Abroad To Do A PhD with Dr Sidra Iftikhar

Mrs Mummy PhD®

Imagine embarking on the rigorous path of a PhD journey while cradling the joys and challenges of motherhood. Dr. Sidra Iftikhar did just that - stretching her academic wings in Spain, nurturing her family, and diving into the world of e-learning research. Her compelling story unfolds in our latest episode, where she reveals the motivations for her overseas academic pursuit and the strength found in the camaraderie with fellow researchers. We delve into the nuances of creating a robust support system and the influence of Spain's sunlit environment on her scholarly endeavors, all while weaving the fibers of family life into her tapestry of learning.
Navigating the academic currents amidst a global health storm, Dr. Iftikhar shares the intimate details of balancing childcare with doctoral studies during the pandemic-induced lockdown. We uncover the emotional landscape of motherly guilt, the linguistic blossoms in her daughter's multilingual growth, and the smart strategies that kept the wheels of education turning in Barcelona's schools. This conversation serves as a testament to the unyielding human spirit, highlighting how support systems become lifelines and how adversity can fuel adaptation and time mastery.
We round out this inspiring episode by celebrating the small yet significant milestones of research life and the personal evolution it sparks. Dr. Iftikhar and I reflect on the beauty of cultivating friendships across cultural borders, the courage it takes to tackle bureaucratic mazes, and the enriching impact of raising children in a multicultural ecosystem. Her narrative sends a powerful ripple of encouragement to all scholarly parents navigating their own voyages, showing that with determination, mental well-being, and a community of support, the dual callings of academia and parenthood can indeed flourish together.
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1. Navigating PhD Motherhood Abroad (00:00:00)

2. Navigating Childcare and PhD During Lockdown (00:13:53)

3. Navigating Motherhood and Academic Life (00:18:56)

4. Celebrating Small Wins in Research (00:31:04)

5. PhD Abroad Challenges (00:37:17)