u/Good_Risk6556

I’m completely new to academic conferences and have just started my PhD, so I’m a little confused about how conference presentations actually work.

When people say they are presenting at a conference, what exactly are they presenting? Is it usually a completed research study, or can it also be a research idea, proposed study, literature review, theoretical framework, or work in progress?

I’m also confused about the difference between an oral conference presentation and a poster. Do both generally present the same kind of research, just in different formats?

My biggest confusion is about PhD students who present at conferences only a few months after starting their PhD. For example, if someone starts their PhD in September and presents at a conference a few months later, what would they realistically have to present by then? It obviously wouldn’t be their entire PhD research, so would they present their research proposal, an initial research question/framework, preliminary work, or something else?

Does this depend entirely on the specific conference and what they accept in their call for papers?

I’d really appreciate hearing from current/former PhD students about what you presented at your first conference, especially if it was early in your PhD.

I’m completely new to academic conferences and have just started my PhD, so I’m a little confused about how conference presentations actually work.

When people say they are presenting at a conference, what exactly are they presenting? Is it usually a completed research study, or can it also be a research idea, proposed study, literature review, theoretical framework, or work in progress?

I’m also confused about the difference between an oral conference presentation and a poster. Do both generally present the same kind of research, just in different formats?

My biggest confusion is about PhD students who present at conferences only a few months after starting their PhD. For example, if someone starts their PhD in September and presents at a conference a few months later, what would they realistically have to present by then? It obviously wouldn’t be their entire PhD research, so would they present their research proposal, an initial research question/framework, preliminary work, or something else?

Does this depend entirely on the specific conference and what they accept in their call for papers?

I’d really appreciate hearing from current/former PhD students about what you presented at your first conference, especially if it was early in your PhD.

Hey everyone! I’m a 6’0” woman from East Asia, and I’ve had stretch marks on my shoulders and a little on my upper back since I was in school. I had a major weight change later, so I think they might be from growing quickly.

They’ve always made me self-conscious, and I avoid wearing sleeveless tops because of them.

I’m curious if any other tall women have experienced the same thing. Is it common if you’re tall? How do you deal with the insecurity? Do you just embrace them, or are there any tricks you use to make them less noticeable (makeup, self-tanner, skincare, clothing styles, etc.)?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Heyy, while I’ve read plenty of university guides, I’d love to hear what actually happens in real life once you land.

I’m trying to make a checklist for my first few days and have a few questions:

•	After landing at the airport, what are the first things you did?

•	Is it better to take a taxi to campus if you have two large suitcases, or are the Airport Express/MTR practical enough?

•	Where did you buy your SIM card? Are there any providers you’d recommend for students?

•	How soon did you apply for your Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID)? Was it straightforward?

•	For students under 25, how does the Student Octopus Card work? Do you first buy a regular Octopus Card and then convert it after getting your HKID, or can you apply for the student version immediately? How long did the process take?

• You use your credit or forex card a lot or octopus card works everywhere?

•	Which bank did you open an account with, and what documents did you need? Did you wait until you had your HKID, or were you able to open one with just your passport and student visa?

•	Is there any health or travel insurance you had to purchase yourself, or was the university’s insurance sufficient?

•	Is there anything you wish you had done in your first week that would have made settling in easier?

•	Are there any small but important things that most international students forget (mobile payment apps, proof of address, cash, adapters, laundry cards, etc.)?

I’d really appreciate hearing what your first 24-72 hours looked like. University checklists are helpful, but I’d love to know what people actually did and what you wish someone had told you before you arrived.

Thanks in advance!

I'm in a difficult position and could really use some advice from people who have experience with PhDs in Hong Kong or mainland China.

I have two fully funded PhD offers, but I'm struggling to decide.

Option 1: Hong Kong (Psychology)

- This is exactly the research area I want to pursue.

- I have two supervisors (PIs), and both are an excellent fit for my research interests.

- Long-term, this is the program that aligns best with the career I want.

The problem: The graduate school is moving very slowly. In Hong Kong, the university has to submit the student visa application to the Immigration Department on behalf of international students. I received my offer relatively late, so I'm already short on time before the program starts. They're replying to emails, but everything is moving at a pace that makes me nervous because I have no control over when the visa application is actually submitted.

There's also the financial aspect. Even though it's a fully funded PhD, I'd need to spend roughly USD 6,000 upfront before my stipend starts and everything settles.

Option 2: China (Education)

- Also fully funded.

- I originally applied because I didn't want to lose another year after already taking a gap following my master's.

- I actually prefer the campus, living environment, and overall lifestyle there.

- The initial cost is much lower—around USD 2,000 before my scholarship starts after the first month.

However, the PhD is in Education, not Psychology. There is some overlap with my interests, but it isn't the field I originally wanted to build my career in. My supervisor also suggested that I learn Chinese. Language itself isn't the biggest concern, but if I'm honest, I'm not particularly motivated to spend years learning it because this wasn't my first-choice academic path.

So I'm torn between:

- Hong Kong: Perfect research fit, great supervisors, but slow administration, visa uncertainty, and a much higher upfront cost.

- China: Better environment, lower initial financial burden, and seemingly a smoother path, but the research area isn't my first choice.

If you were in my position, which would you choose? Is it worth taking the risk on Hong Kong because it's the better long-term academic fit, or would you go with the safer and less expensive option in China?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has studied in Hong Kong or mainland China, or anyone who has experienced delays with university-managed student visa applications. Did everything work out in the end, or should I be preparing a backup plan?

I'm in a difficult position and could really use some advice from people who have experience with PhDs in Hong Kong or mainland China.

I have two fully funded PhD offers, but I'm struggling to decide.

Option 1: Hong Kong (Psychology)

- This is exactly the research area I want to pursue.

- I have two supervisors (PIs), and both are an excellent fit for my research interests.

- Long-term, this is the program that aligns best with the career I want.

The problem: The graduate school is moving very slowly. In Hong Kong, the university has to submit the student visa application to the Immigration Department on behalf of international students. I received my offer relatively late, so I'm already short on time before the program starts. They're replying to emails, but everything is moving at a pace that makes me nervous because I have no control over when the visa application is actually submitted.

There's also the financial aspect. Even though it's a fully funded PhD, I'd need to spend roughly USD 6,000 upfront before my stipend starts and everything settles.

Option 2: China (Education)

- Also fully funded.

- I originally applied because I didn't want to lose another year after already taking a gap following my master's.

- I actually prefer the campus, living environment, and overall lifestyle there.

- The initial cost is much lower, around USD 2,000 before my scholarship starts after the first month.

However, the PhD is in Education, not Psychology. There is some overlap with my interests, but it isn't the field I originally wanted to build my career in. My supervisor also suggested that I learn Chinese. Language itself isn't the biggest concern, but if I'm honest, I'm not particularly motivated to spend years learning it because this wasn't my first-choice academic path.

So I'm torn between:

- Hong Kong: Perfect research fit, great supervisors, but slow administration, visa uncertainty, and a much higher upfront cost.

- China: Better environment, lower initial financial burden, and seemingly a smoother path, but the research area isn't my first choice.

If you were in my position, which would you choose? Is it worth taking the risk on Hong Kong because it's the better long-term academic fit, or would you go with the safer and less expensive option in China?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has studied in Hong Kong or mainland China, or anyone who has experienced delays with university-managed student visa applications. Did everything work out in the end, or should I be preparing a backup plan?

So I got my offer pretty late and I paid my fees as well but they are not responding to all my questions specifically about visa like I have given them the documents when are they gonna apply for it as I don’t have much time left.

Hello! I very recently got into a PhD program and I'm excited for it, but feeling a little bit "empty". While I'm reading articles in my research field to find my PhD topic, I feel like there needs to be more structure to it.

So, how about you guys say what you're studying, how many years into the program you are, and what a normal day for you is. I would greatly appreciate it

I'm studying cognitive & social psychology and will start this September in Hong Kong

I have received PhD offers with scholarships from two universities in different countries, and I am trying to make a careful decision because both options have important advantages and drawbacks.

Option 1: PhD in Education

The PhD in Education is from the comparatively stronger university in terms of overall reputation and ranking. The difference in ranking is not extremely large, but the Education university is still considered better.

Financially, this option is much more manageable. I would need to cover approximately USD 1,500 for the initial month before the scholarship/stipend begins. After that, the scholarship can potentially continue for up to four years, subject to regular academic evaluation and satisfactory progress.

Another benefit is that the country is more affordable overall, so my living expenses would be lower. However, it is a non-English-speaking country, which means I would need to learn a new language in order to manage daily life, build professional connections, and possibly access broader opportunities after graduation and I cannot stay here as they made me sign that I will go back.

The main concern is academic fit. My background is in Psychology, and my strongest interests are also in Psychology. Although Education can overlap with areas such as educational psychology, AI in learning, student behaviour, and cross-cultural research, it is not exactly the field I originally see myself in.

Option 2: PhD in Psychology

The Psychology PhD aligns much more closely with my academic background, existing knowledge, and genuine research interests. Since I come from a Psychology background, this option would allow me to build a clearer academic identity and pursue research that feels more personally meaningful.

The university is slightly lower ranked than the Education option, but the difference is not drastic. Therefore, the stronger subject fit may matter more than the marginal ranking difference, especially for a PhD.

The main drawback is financial. I would need to arrange approximately USD 6,000 for the first semester because the stipend would begin after the first month. The country is also more expensive overall, but the scholarship is really good so after a month I don’t have to worry and can live good.

The scholarship is expected to continue for around three years, but it will be reviewed annually. This means that continuation would depend on academic performance, research progress, and meeting scholarship requirements. However, annual evaluation is common in many PhD scholarships, so this is not necessarily unusual.

Please also let me know which field have more potential in terms of jobs outside as well as inside academia.

I have received PhD offers with scholarships from two universities in different countries, and I am trying to make a careful decision because both options have important advantages and drawbacks.

Option 1: PhD in Education

The PhD in Education is from the comparatively stronger university in terms of overall reputation and ranking. The difference in ranking is not extremely large, but the Education university is still considered better.

Financially, this option is much more manageable. I would need to cover approximately USD 1,500 for the initial month before the scholarship/stipend begins. After that, the scholarship can potentially continue for up to four years, subject to regular academic evaluation and satisfactory progress.

Another benefit is that the country is more affordable overall, so my living expenses would be lower. However, it is a non-English-speaking country, which means I would need to learn a new language in order to manage daily life, build professional connections, and possibly access broader opportunities after graduation and I cannot stay here as they made me sign that I will go back.

The main concern is academic fit. My background is in Psychology, and my strongest interests are also in Psychology. Although Education can overlap with areas such as educational psychology, AI in learning, student behaviour, and cross-cultural research, it is not exactly the field I originally see myself in.

Option 2: PhD in Psychology

The Psychology PhD aligns much more closely with my academic background, existing knowledge, and genuine research interests. Since I come from a Psychology background, this option would allow me to build a clearer academic identity and pursue research that feels more personally meaningful.

The university is slightly lower ranked than the Education option, but the difference is not drastic. Therefore, the stronger subject fit may matter more than the marginal ranking difference, especially for a PhD.

The main drawback is financial. I would need to arrange approximately USD 6,000 for the first semester because the stipend would begin after the first month. The country is also more expensive overall, but the scholarship is really good so after a month I don’t have to worry and can live good.

The scholarship is expected to continue for around three years, but it will be reviewed annually. This means that continuation would depend on academic performance, research progress, and meeting scholarship requirements. However, annual evaluation is common in many PhD scholarships, so this is not necessarily unusual.

Please also let me know which field have more potential in terms of jobs outside as well as inside academia.

I will be moving to hong kong as an international student, I wanted to know where do people shop from specifically online like skincare that sell authentic products, day to day things like all we get on amazon etc Medicines and also food or groceries is there any online platforms where we get fast and fresh deliveries... I am sorry I don't know how things work there as where I live now, we can get all things online pretty quickly.. I am researching as much as possible and I just love that I am coming to hong kong. I did tried getting information online but it was scattered and not understandable so I am asking it here.

And how people pay? do they prefer card or anything else that is mainly used there. I will really appreciate any information and would love to know about hong kong before moving🇭🇰🧿🪬

So I received my offer letter pretty late and was wondering how much time it takes as some says it take around 6-8 weeks. And they want me by the end of aug.. please let me know how much time it took you guys and which country u are from.

So I received my offer letter pretty late and was wondering how much time it takes as some says it take around 6-8 weeks. And they want me by the end of aug.. please let me know how much time it took you guys and which country u are from

People who are doing PhD in Hong Kong. I just want to know like how exactly your daily routine is like and how often you meet your supervisor. Do you teach what extra work you have? How many projects you engage in? Do you travel often? What is the stress level like how you manage it?

It would be great if I can hear from you guys✨

Hi everyone,

This might sound like a silly question, but as an incoming international PhD student, I'm curious about what the very first day is actually like.

After you've already had online meetings with your supervisor, what happens when you meet them in person for the first time? How do you greet them? Is it usually a formal meeting in their office, or is it more casual? What do you typically talk about, and how long does the meeting last?

I'm also curious about meeting your lab mates for the first time. Do you introduce yourself to everyone individually? Does the supervisor introduce you? Is there anything you wish you'd known beforehand about lab etiquette or first impressions?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially from international PhD students in Hong Kong or similar academic environments. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

This might sound like a silly question, but as an incoming international PhD student, I'm curious about what the very first day is actually like.

After you've already had online meetings with your supervisor, what happens when you meet them in person for the first time? How do you greet them? Is it usually a formal meeting in their office, or is it more casual? What do you typically talk about, and how long does the meeting last?

I'm also curious about meeting your lab mates for the first time. Do you introduce yourself to everyone individually? Does the supervisor introduce you? Is there anything you wish you'd known beforehand about lab etiquette or first impressions?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially from international PhD students in Hong Kong or similar academic environments. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I'm an incoming international PhD student at a Hong Kong university with a Postgraduate Studentship (PGS). The offer letter mentions that the studentship is awarded for the first year and that renewal in subsequent years is subject to satisfactory academic performance and other university requirements.

I was wondering how this works in practice.

- Is the renewal generally routine as long as you're making satisfactory progress and meeting your responsibilities?

- Or is it actually competitive, with students sometimes losing the stipend despite performing reasonably well?

- Has anyone here experienced or seen cases where a PGS was not renewed? If so, what were the usual reasons?

I'm asking because I'm trying to plan my finances over the next few years, so I'd like to understand how secure the annual renewal typically is.

I'd really appreciate hearing from current or former PhD students at Hong Kong universities (especially those who received a PGS).

Thanks in advance!