{"id":7557,"date":"2019-09-27T12:40:29","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T00:40:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/?p=7557"},"modified":"2019-09-27T17:04:16","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T05:04:16","slug":"survival-kit-for-international-phd-mums-its-a-whanaus-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesislink.aut.ac.nz\/?p=7557","title":{"rendered":"Survival kit for International PhD Mums: It\u2019s a Wh\u0101nau\u2019s Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On the 1st<\/sup> of October 2019, I will submit my final doctoral dissertation entitled ‘My Baby Deserves Love, Not HIV’<\/a> to my supervisors. It is the best 80,000 words and 220 pages that I have written under my supervisors\u2019 guidance, and with the kindness of New Zealand Scholarships and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to reflect my own journey as an international student from Indonesia, a mother of three little kids, a wife, and at times a pregnant woman, to survive in this four-year journey of scholarship. I share three main survival tips for my fellow PhD mums and dads, and for those who guide and supervise international PhD students at AUT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 – Don\u2019t be shy to ask for help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being a Ph.D. student, we are learning to write, think, critique, and reflect; to argue confidently in our writing and in discussion with our supervisors. Here are some tips to go through this intensive journey to learn about your research topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

a. Use your voice: be honest if you do not understand<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was raised in an educational culture that insisted that my\nteachers were\nmostly right, and I may be wrong. When I made mistakes or could not achieve good marks, I felt shameful. I was not raised with ideas such as \u201cthere is no\nright and no wrong\u201d; \u201cevery one is unique\u201d; and \u201cfailure is a good teacher\u201d. I had to learn how to survive in a Western academic culture. Supervisors also need to\nunderstand our challenges as international students with different academic\nstyles in our\nhome countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I needed to be brave to say to my supervisors \u201cI do not understand\u201d; \u201cI am confused with both of your comments\u201d; \u201cI need help\u201d; and \u201cmy kids are sick, I need a rest\u201d. You need to state your needs clearly to the supervisors who accompany you on your long journey. Be honest and do not be shy. They will help you if you use your voice. You also will learn to make decisions about what is best for your own writing and journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

b. Mutual understandings<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our supervisors also need to be aware of their students. Students are not hard like stones. We are more like kites, ready to fly high. Supervisors sometimes let me fly as high as I can, but they will watch out for me. They will help me if I fly too far or fly too low. They will control the kite in a safe manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

c. Supervisors\u2019 comments: signs of love<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will work each chapter from its first draft to its final form. It may take 10 revisions. Our supervisors will comment on those drafts with love. Be patient and learn to love your supervisors\u2019 comments. You can argue for your own ideas too; there\u2019s no need to be shy. There is no right and there is no wrong. There are no stupid questions or arguments. You will see how amazing your writing is on the final draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

d. Ask for one-to-one meetings with learning advisors and join peer support groups<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my journey, I needed help from other people than just my supervisors. I needed to work one-to-one with AUT learning advisors. They became my \u2018third parties,\u2019 after my supervisors, to resolve\nmy confusion, provide tips in critical writing, and to link my challenges to my\nsupervisors. \u201cAll will be fine, Najmah,\u201d\nsaid Quentin, one of AUT\u2019s learning advisors. Ask your supervisors to refer\nyou to learning advisors for extra help. There is also free online academic\nhelp through Studiosity, available via Blackboard<\/a>.\nYou can use Studiosity to get proofreading help on drafts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
One-to-one meeting: Dr Quentin Allan taught me how to write great Introduction, Review and Discussion chapters over four different meetings. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I also need my peers to share their diverse experiences in academia. My PhD student peers are insiders in my journey. For instance, there is a peer support group for NZ Scholars and ASEAN students. They listen, share, and motivate me. Please, join some peer support groups<\/a> in AUT. You are not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 – Be kind to yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AUT, like other universities in Auckland, provides every international student a ladder to learning during the PhD. We as international students need to be resilient to go through this journey. Be kind to yourself as you work toward your achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always remember what my supervisors, learning\nadvisors, AUT scholarship officers, AUT lecturers, and peers said to me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n