u/1-1-dystopian

Okay so I have to choose between two master’s offers and I keep changing my mind every five minutes. I need opinions from people who aren’t emotionally involved in this. I did my bachelor’s in Biology and long term I’m interested in biomedical research, maybe a PhD, and possibly med school.

Uni A, MS Epidemiology (in my home country)

Pros:
Fully funded + free dorm
Around $700/month stipend
They give me a laptop
Higher ranked / more prestigious university
Really good scholarship program + networking opportunities
In my home country, so I’d be close to my mom. She’s getting older and I really do want to be around her, spend time with her and support her.
$700 would let me live pretty comfortably since I’m not paying rent
Probably better connections if I decide to work in my home country later

Cons:
It’s in epidemiology, I don’t hate it or anything, but it’s really not what I imagined myself doing
I’m way more into biology/biomedical/lab research
I can’t work while I’m on the scholarship
I don’t like the dorms that much
I’d have less freedom/independence
I barely have friends there and would basically have to build a new social life

Uni B, MS Biotechnology (abroad)

Pros:
Also fully funded + free dorm
but only around $300/month (liveable in the country it’s in, but barely)
I actually like the program way more
Much more aligned with the kind of research I want to do
Better setup if I decide to go into lab research/PhD later
I did my bachelor’s there, so I already know the professors, university, city, etc.
I LOVE living there
Most of my friends are there
My boyfriend is there
I have way more freedom/independence there
I’m allowed to get a job while doing the master’s, so theoretically I could make more than the $300 + get work experience
I just generally feel like I fit in better there socially

Cons:
$300 vs $700 is a pretty huge difference
Uni B is lower ranked
Obviously getting a job isn’t guaranteed, so I can’t just assume I’ll have extra money
I’d have to spend money on flights to visit home
I’d be away from my mom, and honestly this is probably the most important thing that I’m thinking about
I’d also be doing both my bachelor’s and master’s at the same university, which idk if that matters

So basically:
Uni A: more money, higher ranked, great scholarship/network, close to my mom, more financially secure but I’m less interested in the actual degree and I don’t like the lifestyle.
Uni B: the degree I actually want, research I like, friends, boyfriend, independence, and a city/life I already know I’m happy in but HALF the stipend (actually less lol), lower ranked, travel costs (they dont pay for flights), and I’d be leaving my mom and I’m worried I dont have much more time with her.

And before anyone says “don’t pick a university for your boyfriend” he’s definitely a factor, but he’s not the only reason I want B. I loved living there before we were together and my friends/life/research interests are there too.

At the same time my mom genuinely means a lot to me and I’m very aware that she’s getting older and I won’t get this time back.

If you were me what would you pick? Especially if you’re in biotech/epi/research/academia pls tell me what you think because I’ve overthought this to death.

Okay so I have to choose between two master’s offers and I keep changing my mind every five minutes. I need opinions from people who aren’t emotionally involved in this. I did my bachelor’s in Biology and long term I’m interested in biomedical research, maybe a PhD, and possibly med school.

Uni A, MS Epidemiology (in my home country)

Pros:
Fully funded + free dorm
Around $700/month stipend
They give me a laptop
Higher ranked / more prestigious university
Really good scholarship program + networking opportunities
In my home country, so I’d be close to my mom. She’s getting older and I really do want to be around her, spend time with her and support her.
$700 would let me live pretty comfortably since I’m not paying rent
Probably better connections if I decide to work in my home country later

Cons:
It’s in epidemiology, I don’t hate it or anything, but it’s really not what I imagined myself doing
I’m way more into biology/biomedical/lab research
I can’t work while I’m on the scholarship
I don’t like the dorms that much
I’d have less freedom/independence
I barely have friends there and would basically have to build a new social life

Uni B, MS Biotechnology (abroad)

Pros:
Also fully funded + free dorm
but only around $300/month (liveable in the country it’s in, but barely)
I actually like the program way more
Much more aligned with the kind of research I want to do
Better setup if I decide to go into lab research/PhD later
I did my bachelor’s there, so I already know the professors, university, city, etc.
I LOVE living there
Most of my friends are there
My boyfriend is there
I have way more freedom/independence there
I’m allowed to get a job while doing the master’s, so theoretically I could make more than the $300 + get work experience
I just generally feel like I fit in better there socially

Cons:
$300 vs $700 is a pretty huge difference
Uni B is lower ranked
Obviously getting a job isn’t guaranteed, so I can’t just assume I’ll have extra money
I’d have to spend money on flights to visit home
I’d be away from my mom, and honestly this is probably the most important thing that I’m thinking about
I’d also be doing both my bachelor’s and master’s at the same university, which idk if that matters

So basically:
Uni A: more money, higher ranked, great scholarship/network, close to my mom, more financially secure but I’m less interested in the actual degree and I don’t like the lifestyle.
Uni B: the degree I actually want, research I like, friends, boyfriend, independence, and a city/life I already know I’m happy in but HALF the stipend (actually less lol), lower ranked, travel costs (they dont pay for flights), and I’d be leaving my mom and I’m worried I dont have much more time with her.

And before anyone says “don’t pick a university for your boyfriend” he’s definitely a factor, but he’s not the only reason I want B. I loved living there before we were together and my friends/life/research interests are there too.

At the same time my mom genuinely means a lot to me and I’m very aware that she’s getting older and I won’t get this time back.

If you were me what would you pick? Especially if you’re in biotech/epi/research/academia pls tell me what you think because I’ve overthought this to death.

Just the title, and any recommendations for the best dorm for future semesters?

I got a scholarship at AUB that covers tuition as well as free dorms, with a 700$ monthly stipend. The issue is the contract says I’m not allowed to work for the duration of my studies. I was wondering how far 700$ would go as I haven’t lived here since 2020. How comfortable/uncomfortable would it be?

I’ve been living abroad for 4 years (visiting every break) and it’s been amazing. I had to move back a few days ago and I could not be more miserable. Ma fi kahraba, we have to BUY WATER, there’s nothing to do. Sure, visiting is nice, but living with the reality of actually having to STAY here is horrible.

If not, what happens if they do get married, does the world explode?

I had been looking forward to this concert for weeks, and he knew how excited I was about it.

We had plans to go together. The venue was far away (about 1 hour and 15 minutes), so I had told him beforehand that we should leave to the concert around 6:30 PM to make it on time. I had also told him that I hadn’t eaten anything all day, so the plan was to get food before heading to the concert.

He was supposed to arrive at my house around 4:30–4:45 PM because he said he’ll get ready in 10 and the road takes 20-30 min so we can eat together. We talked on the phone at 4 PM, and during the call I told him to charge my power bank a little too as I had forgotten it with him. He said he’d charge it for 10-15 min.

He didn’t end up arriving until 6:15 PM which is about an hour and a half late. By then, there was no time to get food, and we were already cutting it close for the concert. When I asked why he was so late, the only explanation he gave was that he was “charging my power bank.”

What upset me most wasn’t even just the lateness. If he knew he was going to be late, he could have called or texted me so I could at least eat something instead of waiting. I had planned my day around us going together.

When he finally got to my house I got upset and told him I was going alone. He thinks I overreacted, but I feel like I communicated the timing clearly, he knew how important this concert was to me, and a quick message would have let me adjust my plans.

Am I overreacting?

Anyone looking for flatmates in Beirut? Preferably somewhere near AUB. I’m a 21F and I’d like to think I’m pretty fun to be around :)