Before leaving to India I was informed my application for admission to the PhD program had been recommended for admissions. I had a wave of emotions. First, I was excited, thrilled and had a sense of accomplishment. Very close behind was a feeling of sadness, because I was not sure I could accept the offer. The younger Sheri would have said, "I CAN do it all." Work, school, and the India projects. The older (and hopefully wiser) Sheri knows I have limited time and energy. I have to make a choice in order to be effective. My preference would be to return to school, accomplish my dream of earning a PhD, AND continue the work in India. The problem is - there's no money in either. How can I study and invest myself in humanitarian work when neither offers a pay check? I've still got to survive, right?
The puzzle has begun to come together. While I was in India the committee met and they offered me a generous Graduate Research Assistant position (GRA). The GRA will cover school expenses of tuition and fees. It comes with a $20,000 annual stipend, and I will be eligible for health insurance as a GRA. That amount doesn't meet all of my financial need, but it won't take much to make up the difference. I'm currently looking into options to finance the remainder of my living expenses - loans are a last (and very unattractive) resort. I have faith the remaining details will work themselves out. What an exciting adventure? What an opportunity? Is it possible, do dreams really come true? Maybe?
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