I don’t think I’ll do that.
I’ve been trying to make definite decisions about what grad schools to apply to, and sure enough, my dad had to say something that would freak me out and throw a spanner in the works. He suggested I look at programs in Canada and Australia too.
I don’t think I’m going to do that, though. Acutally, I’ve already looked at some programs, but I don’t think I’ll apply. One of the reasons I was thinking of going to grad school was so that I could get out of China for a while, but the thought of going from one foreign country to another isn’t so enticing. I’ve spent a good amount of time in Canada and like it, but still, living there would be something really new to get used to. I don’t know if I want that right now. Maybe I need a rest from living abroad. I’m also not totally familiar with the Canadian education system, which I imagine is strongly influenced by the British one.
Another reason I wanted to go back has to do with Social Security. It would be nice to work for long enough in the US to get money from Soc. Sec. when I retire, even if it is a negligible amount. I’ve been thinking if I study for two years in the US, and during that time earn money, whether from an assistantship or a part-time job, that’ll put me closer to getting some sort of Soc. Sec. benefit in the future. I know I have over half of the credits needed to get something (although I wish I could get the exact number). I’d like to slowly get closer to the number I need, and this is a good way to do it without necessarily moving back to the US forever. I mean, maybe after grad school I’ll stay in the US, or maybe I’ll just come back for the summer for time to time, but after two years I’ll be closer to getting SOMETHING, right?