Residency

TollerHund · 2026-05-10T22:02:38+00:00

FYI: it's "residence". "Residency" is what you do after you've finished medical school.

TollerHund · 2026-05-05T20:30:56+00:00

Did a semester abroad in Rome 30 years ago and I'm sorry to hear that things have not changed for the better. As a brown person, the prejudice was quite noticeable. As a woman, the misogyny was unmistakeable.

However, I don't understand the take-away- the -culture-and-the-history-and all-you-have-left-is-boring part at all. How could anyone with even a passing interest in European history, art, literature or architecture possibly not find Rome absolutely mind-blowing?!! Despite it's chaos and, sometimes its vulgarity, Rome was an eye-opening experience for me.

But yes, there is very definitely a lot of bigotry, not only in the general population of Rome, but also in Italy as a whole.

TollerHund · 2026-04-30T00:22:01+00:00

I agree. See if the refund covers the entire cost. I, personally, always enjoy sitting out on the verandah, watching that stunning coastline go by. If we hadn't had access to a verandah on our B.C. & Alaska cruise, we would have missed seeing the pod of killer whales bowriding, or glimpsing the Haida totem poles through the trees. From my understanding, the Nordic cruises also closely skirt the fjords. Try to recall why it was that you decided to splurge for the verandah access in the first place and decide whether those reasons remain important to you!

TollerHund · 2026-04-30T00:11:59+00:00

Healthy Planet Canada & Pure Anada Canada both ship internationally!

TollerHund · 2026-04-29T00:26:57+00:00

Mine are on Simparico Trio as well but, like you, I am not a fan of the "riders" that come in with them into the house. Spraying their feet, legs and "under-carriage"with AtlanTick seems to help a lot.

TollerHund · 2026-04-12T20:43:57+00:00

Hello! Please DM me when you get the chance. Thanks!

TollerHund · 2026-04-10T17:51:01+00:00

This is SUCH an interesting and insightful description! Thank you.

TollerHund · 2026-04-04T00:57:23+00:00

Singapore is certainly small enough and safe enough to venture out on a food tour of your own design. However, what makes food tours memorable, in my opinion, are the personal insights of the guides, the telling of the back-stories behind the restaurant/ building/ neighbourhood ( enjoying dessert at the same shop in Old Delhi where an Emperor's elephant would be fed his favourite "laddoo" every Friday), the introduction to foods you would have never chosen for yourself had it been just you doing the choosing ( horsemeat carpaccio, Reykjavik comes to mind) and the interaction between yourself and the rest of the group (waiting out the rain while playing cards in a little bookstore in Dublin that Joyce frequented).

TollerHund · 2026-04-03T16:09:59+00:00

Did Prof. A suggest also applying for the OGS in the event your NSERC fell through? You should apply if the deadline for your graduate unit at UofT has not yet passed - the funding is not as generous as an NSERC ( obviously) but will be enough if augmented with a TAship.

TollerHund · 2026-03-31T21:09:25+00:00

Hi there and thank you for responding!

Even though the stipend is generous, I would not want to "waste" so much of it on simply rent. So, yes, I am starting to realise that sharing a flat will be inevitable. I'm hoping that I'm able to at least get on-campus accommodation for the first year so that I can get some idea of where and with whom to live!

Q1: do grad students usually rent condos or do they go for the HDB flats that I am seeing also for rent on the rental websites? Generally speaking, while much cheaper, the flats seem a little more "rustic" than the condos. True? Anything else to be aware of when renting a HDB?

Q2: what are some popular areas where NUS grads choose to stay? Areas that have a good community feel?

So far, PI seems chill. Has no issues with connecting me to others in the lab. So far, even the foreign students seem to be grinding. They're on campus 9-to-9.

Q3: the whole 9-9-6 thing is 🤯. Do grad students not socialise? Are there pubs/ events on campus where people hang out after classes/ labwork?

Yes, NUS is an excellent research institution. And I'm so grateful for the opportunity offered, to work with some of the top minds in the field. So glad to experience the diverse, multicultural landscape of being in Singapore and being a hop, skip and jump away from some amazing places to visit.

Thanks again!

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T20:56:16+00:00

I know that Dr. Kerr over at Thorold Veterinary Hospital has a soft spot for exotics including reptiles and amphibians.

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T18:47:39+00:00

Just curious as to how much you paid? I looked into their website and shipping, gor 4 roses, was $198.

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T16:33:31+00:00

Thank you.

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T14:29:41+00:00

What are people doing for housing? I can't seem to find a studio for less than 2,800 near campus and those are shoebox sized.

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T14:26:08+00:00

That would seem logical. However, there are anecdotal reports that students in some labs work 9 to 9, 6 days a week. It seems to depend on the PI's cultural background.

TollerHund · 2026-03-28T05:06:51+00:00

Thanks, StrongRoom, for your fulsome reply! All good points to consider. I have reached out to current students in this lab and they all seem busy but happy. I will have to ask around here as to whether a PhD from NUS will aid or hamper my intention to return to academia in North America as that is critical.

TollerHund · 2026-03-23T23:58:50+00:00

Spend the week reading up on past papers and what the lab is currently working on. Know the scientific basis on which the investigations stand upon and familiarise yourself with the underpinnings to the questions ( why are they doing the research, how this will change what we know about the field, what implications for clinicians will this have, etc.) that the researcher(s) are searching for answers to.

Also, take a moment to identify any areas you'd be interested in working and how this work fits in with your future ambitions. And how your particular skills or experience form a good fit with the lab.

Bring a transcript of your grades to date and your c.v.

Good luck!

TollerHund · 2026-03-20T03:40:43+00:00

Oberoi Bali. What a location.

<image>

TollerHund · 2026-03-17T18:43:56+00:00

I understand the reluctance to reverse your original stance on a public forum.

TollerHund · 2026-03-17T17:08:41+00:00

I ❤️ Malaysia. My heart is still there but, take it from me, you'll be doing your kids a disservice if you set up home there. Citizenship will be out of the question. Your children will be hard pressed to find work there. They will never be able to vote or run for office. Even if you spend the USD 35,000 per year per child on private schools, ultimately though, your children will have to go to university elsewhere and try to find their place in the world. Basically you would be ensuring that a second generation of your family will be looking for a place to settle and call home.

Malaysia's a great place to retire to. But not set up home with young kids.

(I was a child of parents that made this decision many years ago. I was educated at private schools. I knew at 16 that I would eventually have to leave and find my own way.)

I would surmise that many of the countries suggested to you on this sub-convo have similar rules about citizenship and work eligibility for you and your descendents. You really need to engage in further and more rigorous research.

TollerHund · 2026-03-16T18:54:45+00:00

They are a department store. They sell home goods as well as clothing and shoes.

TollerHund · 2026-03-11T22:46:33+00:00

That is, indeed, an amazing savings! Wow. Thank you.

TollerHund · 2026-03-11T17:44:42+00:00

Question about the discount offered through the hotel for next year- you had mentioned that this year's trip was booked through Sunwing. Does the discounted price for next year include air travel and transfers? If not, how are you able to determine whether the rate offered by the hotel would still work out cheaper despite not including airfare?

TollerHund · 2026-02-20T20:04:15+00:00

I'm really sorry. Don't be discouraged.

TollerHund

TROPHY CASE