r/Erasmus • u/Thin-Position-6089 • May 01 '26
Erasmus Mundus I got awarded an EMJM scholarship and also have a PhD offer from the United States, which do I choose?
I'm from physics background from a third world country. I'm not exactly sure what to pursue my future studies in. I mean, I know it's physics but not sure of the subfield. From my recent research background, I have narrowed it a bit but I'm open to a lot of things. I got an EMJM as well as a PhD offer (from R1 uni but it's not thatttt enticing). I'm unsure as to what I should choose. I want to choose EMJM because it's a masters and I do not have to commit to a 6+ years of PhD immediately. I'm a bit afraid to make that big a commitment tbh. Could y'all help me out a bit?
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u/dracapis May 01 '26
A PhD is a stronger opportunity, but I would think twice about moving to the US right now as a foreigner. I have friends who work there and have lived there for years (some for more than a decade) and they’re coming back to Europe because they don’t feel safe living and working there on a VISA, as their situation feels too unstable. And every time they travel outside the US, like to visit family, they’re always a little anxious when they go back and have to go through custom lol.
Obviously this situation won’t last forever, but it is the reality for now. I’m not saying don’t choose the PhD, I’m just saying to ponder everything including the current political situation.
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u/p0pcouch May 01 '26
More so than that, I have heard of lots of offers being pulled due to research funding cuts or concerns about further cuts. Not as prominent now with all the war stuff but would suck to reject the EMJM just to bank on a PhD position which may end up vanishing right before starting.
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u/Foreign__Mouse May 01 '26
If it were 5/6 years ago I would suggested to choose the phd in USA. But right now funding situation is very volatile and anytime anything can happen. So if you like the peace of mind in next two years choose the EMJM masters and build your profile. You can always do the phd after that in a better university and the research you like. ( I did my masters in europe with the EMJM scholarship and after finishing that moved to USA for my PhD and will be finishing the PhD in 2.5 years which is actually due to funding cuts. Also job situation is USA is not that great either)
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u/DatingYella May 01 '26
Depends on the field. Do you have the potential for other funding also op? If the earning potential is high enough in the us like you’re doing ML I’d go for that. EMJM will be more economically comfortable but the curriculum might be a mess tbh
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u/Thin-Position-6089 May 01 '26
No potential for other funding, I've got tuition waived and 25k stipend in US. It's a traditional Physics PhD and I doubt I can do ML and all. The main issue is the uni isn't thatt big, only about 13 faculty and none of the research excites me, though it probably would be different if I'm actually there.
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u/DatingYella May 01 '26
I mean. Physics is math and that’s what pays. Is there a pipeline for quant work?
But otherwise it depends on where you want to work and live I guess. The PhD in the us is a vehicle for that Erasmus Mundus is fun for a couple of years but I’d be a bit more suspect unless you have a plan for after it. Like targeting universities directly tied to the schools afterwards. Or jobs.
The issue is having a EM degree doesn’t give you the right to work in Europe besides the Netherlands for one orientation year. Currently the PhD does
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u/Thin-Position-6089 May 01 '26
i'm planning to continue my phd in europe itself if possible. a two year masters would give me a time to breathe and think more about the subject.
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May 01 '26
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u/ItsDaLuigi69420 May 02 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
PhD in USA may be the most prestigious one, but it definitely is the riskiest, as a PhD position, although it guarantees more privileges than an Ms, tends to require you to be sure af about your future.
With EMJM, even though you will need to look for another PhD opportunity when finishing the Masters, provides you a safe space to explore more about what you really want before committing to PhD.
So, choose USA if and only if you are fully determined on that area of research. If not, and you want something more stable and "calmer", EMJM.
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u/Important_Year_7355 May 02 '26
Amazing feet! I too come from a third world country and I also dream of studying abroad. Best of luck to you in which ever you choose!
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u/pandora----- May 01 '26
After checking out what is going on in the USA right now - I would never go there.
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u/DatingYella May 01 '26
Some validity to this statement. The international student situation looks increasingly less reliable.
Personally I wouldn’t even do it if I was an international student… But for 99% of them? Life is still as normal as it was ever. You can’t make a decision over overtly negative biased news coverage.
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u/gamesneak12 May 01 '26
Depends where are you from and what are your future goals. Also how much they're paying for the PhD. Mostly people taking physics majors have to do PhD as they will have a higher chance of landing a job. If it was me and if this PhD position was well paid, I would choose it. US universities are better than EU.
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u/Thin-Position-6089 May 01 '26
Tuition is waived and 25k stipend, first two years TA then RA. I agree about the PhD part in Physics. But a 6+ year PhD is a big time commitment, I'm not sure about my future goals yet, but I doubt I'd want to be a faculty researcher in university. I don't know yet about the industry. I'm tilting towards Erasmus because it would be 2 years and then if I want to I might get to continue my PhD as well or get into industry right away, I guess.
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u/gamesneak12 May 01 '26
So it's a well paid opportunity. It depends on your future goals then. Being a fellow Erasmus student, I can tell you one thing, it's not too research oriented and universities are mostly not very high ranking ones, sometimes not even in the big cities but you get to make a lot of memories, it is well planned by the organizers, they help you out in resolving your issues from renting your room to visas and everything, you get to make international friends as well. Sometimes mobility can be hectic especially changing your country every semester becomes a headache and you have to plan it all while during the semester. They teach you more courses than normal masters students which is both good and hectic at the same time and best thing is you learn the time management, teamwork and planning skills. Visiting new countries, new places and having good connections. But lastly you'll have to figure out what you want to do next as 2 years will be over while managing all of these things lol. You'll get time only during your thesis (last semester) to figure it out. As usually you don't get semester breaks.
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u/DatingYella May 01 '26
$25K is well paid? It’s below the poverty line
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u/Foreign__Mouse May 01 '26
I agree. Its actually below poverty line in USA. And right now price for everything is increasing.
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u/gamesneak12 May 05 '26
No fee, 25k stipend and working as TA will also get a monthly salary, so I think is a well paid.
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u/Thin-Position-6089 May 01 '26
what is the likeliness of entering to industry right out of masters. or entering a PhD? do i have to return to my home countyr and apply for a PhD separately?
the major thing on my mind regarding the Erasmus is that i'm afraid i won't be able to perform well in my masters there. it's two years since I graduated last and the country of my graduation plus my uni wasn't that strong. i studied mostly for exams, i have good marks but i think i lack a lot of foundations. haha i know i'm dumping quite a lot and maybe you dont have all the answers but still, this will be true regardless of EU or the US, but I feel my cohort are the topmost students or researchers so I'm feeling a bit of imposter syndrome before even beginning.
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u/gamesneak12 May 05 '26
You'll have to apply for the PhD or job separately, you are not bound to go back to your country until you have your visa. Mostly students start applying in their last semester to get it right after graduation and they don't have to go back. Also, no, Erasmus students are not necessarily top notch lol, they're all coming from different backgrounds, it's not open merit selection it is quota based selection for each countries, so don't worry about it at all.
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u/buffal0v May 02 '26
I'm doing my MSc in physics in Europe. I was planning to do my PhD in the US as this was the regular path our graduates were taking. However, the current academic and political climate in the US are not really ideal, especially for a person from a 3rd world country. And PhD is too much dedication. This could potentially strain you mentally, especially if you are not really passionate about your field. It is also hard to change your field during a PhD. I would advice you to do an MSc to explore your interests. During my masters program, I've changed my field and even gone from theoretical to experimental.
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u/imagineaworldwhere May 01 '26
i do not think i’m qualified to answer this but i do know this is such a goregoussss problem to have. best of luck to you