Hi guys,
I came to the US about 9 years ago and I completed my BS and Master in Computational Biology. Currently, I am in a PhD program that could take another 6-7 years. I am already 30 and spending another 6-7 years without doing anything significant in life seems pretty daunting. I spent my 'laune khane umer' working long hours in ghante jobs and I don't have that kind of zeal/energy that I used to have during my undergrad years. I think there is more to life than just doing these crappy things that these bullies "Advisors" ask you to do and make you feel worthless at a time. I just feel like they are using many international students like me as a slave. I don't know what the future holds for scientific fields like Bioinformatics/genomics, but I am already too tired and I don't seem to bear it any longer. I have huge land plots (~70 ropani) in Nepal and I am thinking of investing in farming (of course I need to start in a small scale). I was also inspired by Ostrich farm in Rupandehi. However, I also want to know from you guys whether you guys ever thought about going to Nepal and doing something that would allow you to survive comfortably (evidently more happily than you would in the US). Besides investing in agriculture, did you guys ever give any thoughts about investing in any other fields or if you would like to suggest people like me? Do you think I am making a stupid decision about quitting my PhD? Someone posted about khasi farming few weeks ago and that was also a great idea for a country like Nepal. I am not sure what I can do with a PhD in Nepal, but we need to industrialize and capitalize our ideas as soon as possible. This will also help generate revenues in the country. I have a dream to do something in Nepal, for Nepali. I am not after money, but I want to make myself capable enough to help others. I know it's all about personal decision, but I would appreciate if you could suggest me anything to help me make right decision. In other words, I am checking the reality on the ground...
Thanks,
H2S

PHD ko frustration ho sathi yo. Let me ask you first, why are you doing PHD? Just to be a doctor -then it's a stupid decision. PHD -doctor bhyaera k garni ho ra?- (May be after graduation you can go back to Nepal and teach (coz you said you want to give something for the country)

Yesto laghae raho munna bhai jasto padai lae kai hunna sathi. Take time and think where you like to be in next 5 years and go for it. PHd is a good thing if you have a deep interest. PHD garda gardai bhich ma chodnu is just a waste of time and energy especially if you already have Masters.

Timro pani life ho yar, ramilo gara. Work in a company, R&D lab etc with your skill and see the world. your mind will start thinking differently. (OR -Are you just doing PHD to maintain your status?)

One more thing, you said you want to go back to Nepal and start farming business, goat/vegetable whatever. I will tell you this, it's not easy as it sounds. Do it/even think about it if you are really interested. Go to Nepal, at least stay there for 3 months (if your visa/green card-whatever allows) and research yourself if you can do that. Otherwise its another waste of time.


Just a thought. At the end of the day, it's your call.

Nepali

Dear H2S,

It almost same year I been investing (not spending as I did some) my time in US. I do have enough parental wealth (didn't make dime myself) back home but I am also working hard to be something of my own. You don't need PHD to do farming. If you decided to do farming when you were in grade 5 or grade 10, that would be highly qualified. There are other factors to be considered not to do farming in Nepal namely lack of technology (still kuto, kodalo, goru, hasiya, hatauda, bancharo), farmers insurance program, farming subsidies, green house, strikes for month, product market, irrigation, droughts, labors and product storage. I think you are single, studying, cooking food everyday and don't see any social life of releasing your stress. But if you think positively, this country will give you more return on investment than any of our Asian countries. For example, after your graduation if you and your wife make 5000 a month (just to say) and save only net 2000 i.e. 2 lakhs in Nepal. I wonder any farmer will make 2 lakhs regularly in Nepal. Once you turn 65 here, you are eligible for Social security and medicare benefit. Does Nepali government has that program ? Dear readers, I am putting very simple example here. Sky is limit here. Luckily we have two countries to decide where to live.

Even I'm in a similar dilemma. I am going to complete my studies next year and I'm thinking of going back to Nepal and doing something for the society but I don't know where to start and how the job market in Nepal would accommodate me and my skill sets . I think you have a very good plan in mind and you can implement it .I am not a subject expert specialist on farming but I have a cousin sister who left the states to go back to Nepal and start an NGO . It took her a year to stabilize and get some funds but at the end of the day she is very happy and has the motivation to move ahead and face the hurdles she came across in her path and make the best of the available resources . I wish you success and luck whatever decision you wanna take .

I have been living in nepal for almost 9 months after living in US for 14 years. I was smart to save some money, which will sustain me for couple more years. I will find some job or start my own business, don't know yet. I also don't know if I made a good decision or not, but now I sleep peacefully and without the guilt. I get to wake up fully rested, see the family I heart, eat the food I love and hangout with the friends I dear. To me that is very important!

Although I am anonymous follower of sajha.com, your post made me to open an account and post something. I am also phd student and feel the very same way. We are intellectual slaves of our advisor and now it feels like no more of this crap.
I have very good expertise in both molecular and computational biology. Its my second year of program and have completed all the graduate classes with perfect GPA but i can sense the research will be long and exhausting. Considering two options; one is to quit school or just get masters and start your own startup company on bioinformatics ( I have some novel ideas that can be sold). Another option is return Nepal and disseminate knowledge (or diagnostic company) and start your own business. I am leaning to second option.
I am also open to farming business like goat farming or even poultry farming with new system to tackle current disease and antibiotics issue or other farmings. To be successful in these kinds of business, you need to have control from production to marketing chains. I have worked in these field earlier and have little bit knowledge.
Going back to Nepal will be hard and challenging and we should be mentally prepared for that. After all these years (more than 5 years in USA), I can say there is no dollars sign on piece of mind. :) Despite all the political and socioeconomic chaos, my heart is still in Nepal. I have to decide over it soon. Your inputs are always appreciated.

Hello h2o bro,
30 yrs kati pani haina padi sakda ramro kina are as follows:

1. Padera dr jundaune tio pad nikkkai thulo ho in nepal even in the world. Unmarried ho vane bihe garnus , bachha banaudai gare umer kateko feel hunna ..

2. Padera paisa kamayera nepal ma 1, 2 bal balika padaune kharcha pathaune , library banaune ..kina ki tapai nepal lai kei garne vannu va cha.
3. Gc chaina vane padera banaune
4. Ali ali paisa lera budes kal ma afnai matrivumu jane not now.
5. Hami nepali ta katti nai chau ra usa ma aru desko haru hernus basi raa chan...estai estai struggle garera ta higher level ma pugeko hola .

But ma afai euta frastu aaimai pare..daily wakka lag6 , nepal gayera k garne paisa pani chaina , feri nepal ma kura katne ko taati nai hola falani ta aai vandai, bachha hune lai jhan eta na uta ko vaincha.lol

..good luck brother.

Bro, don't quit PhD - its just that you are not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (no one sees it at the begining). This program itself is a life training experience. Once you go to conference you will start to see the possibilities. Now is the time to burn the midnight oil - trust me, you're not that far to kiss the last step of success.

For now you just need to get laid, that's all....just kidding.