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Lifestyle, Travel

6 things I hated and 4 things I loved about living in Cairo, Egypt

2nd February 2018 21 Comments

I lived in Heliopolis, Cairo, for 6 months and that was enough time to learn that I probably would not like to live there again…

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Kertu

Kertu Tenso

Estonian-born former Parisian living in Boston, United States. 💕 Feel free to follow me on my quest for infinite travelling. ✌🏻️

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KERTU TENSO
~ I’m taking a break from Instagram ~⁣ ⁣ My ~ I’m taking a break from Instagram ~⁣ ⁣ My friend took this photo of me two days ago. Isn’t it just so beautiful and hopeful? ⁣ ⁣ That same evening I couldn’t fall asleep, had some very dark thoughts, and eventually, hours later, cried myself to sleep. You wouldn’t think that after seeing all my beautiful “put-together” photos, right? ⁣ ⁣ In reality, I’ve been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression for many months now. And, I think I’m tired of faking it on Instagram.⁣ ⁣ Things haven’t gotten easier or better. In fact, they’ve recently gotten worse. So I’ve decided to take a break from IG and delete the app. I don’t know for how long - maybe a week, maybe a two, maybe a month. ⁣ ⁣ Don’t worry, I‘m getting professional help. BU’s crisis counselors have been very supportive during the past months. For people who’d like to keep in touch while I’m gone, ask me for my phone number via DM. You can always text me.⁣ ⁣ I do hope you’ll still be here when I’m back. If not, I understand as well. ⁣ ⁣ Love you all, my dear IG family. ❤️This page has been a creative outlet that I need, and my interactions with many of you have brought me so much joy. See you soon. ⁣ ⁣ Kertu
What does evidence say about racial and ethnic ine What does evidence say about racial and ethnic inequalities in higher education? 👩🏾‍🎓👩🏼‍🎓👨🏽‍🎓⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Today is @bostonu Day of Collective Engagement. All of our classes and events are cancelled, so students, staff, and faculty can spend this day to reflect on racism in the United States. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I thought that this is the perfect opportunity to do some digging, and put together a short “slide deck” with some evidence-based information about racial and ethnic inequalities in higher education. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In no way is this list exhaustive, nor am I an expert on education policy, however, as a PhD student, I felt that it is my responsibility to put something together. Spreading information and awareness about disparities in higher education is something that I can and should do. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ As you can see from the slides above, despite significant changes in policy making over the past decades, racial inequalities in higher education remain prevalent. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Higher education plays a crucial role in shaping access to opportunities, and is one of the primary means of upward social mobility in the United States. Universities can and must do much more to address systemic racism in higher education. ⁣ ⁣ #phdstudent #BUTalksAntiracism
Digital tablet notes vs pen and paper. Pros and co Digital tablet notes vs pen and paper. Pros and cons. 👩🏼‍💻📝⁣ ⁣ So, those of you who keep an eye on my stories have probably noticed that I recently bought myself an iPad to take notes in lectures and I have been obsessed with it. ⁣Thanks for the inspiration @another.scientist ⁣ I thought it would be fun to list some pros and cons to those of you who’ve been thinking about switching from pen and paper to digital note taking. ⁣ ⁣ ✅ PROS of digital notes:⁣ ⁣ 1. Ease of carrying your notes. No more lugging around big binders and 5 different notebooks for your different classes. ⁣ ⁣ 2. Improved organization of notes. Ex: Notability app has both subject folders as well as dividers, making it easy to organize your notes. I can find things easier than I did from piles of paper notes. ⁣ ⁣ 3. Automated archiving. You can simply archive your notes to a drop box or iCloud. Much easier than trying to keep all old notebooks. ⁣ ⁣ 4. Correcting mistakes and editing notes is so much easier. I can just use a digital eraser, move things around, or delete parts altogether, without making a mess. Perfect for doing p-sets. ⁣ ⁣ 5. Customizing notes is a breeze. I love that I can instantly change ink and highlighter color, switch between blank, ruled, and graph paper, that I can copy-paste photos and files into my notes, even attach links. There’s a lot you can do. And you never run out of room!⁣ ⁣ ❌ CONS of digital notes:⁣ ⁣ 1. Writing on a tablet takes some time to get used to and some people just prefer the feel of pen and paper.⁣ ⁣ 2. You have to remember to charge your tablet and pencil at night (if you use it all day long). ⁣ ⁣ 3. Tablets can be pretty expensive (which can be a significant con on a student budget).⁣ ⁣ 4. It can be distracting to work on a tablet (with all those social media apps in reach). ⁣ ⁣ ————————⁣ What are your thoughts on it? Are you a traditional note-taker or do you prefer electronic notes?
“A Girl and the Pru”⁣ ⁣ Have a wonderful w “A Girl and the Pru”⁣ ⁣ Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 😊I just finished another math midterm and submitted my homework so I’m planning on taking (some) time off this weekend. ⁣ ⁣ Although, not sure what there is to do when it’s 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) outside. 😬😅 I will simply melt. ⁣ ⁣ Any fun weekend plans?
❤️ 10 random facts about Boston University *an ❤️ 10 random facts about Boston University *and why I’m proud to be a terrier* ❤️⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 1. BU students come from 150 countries and all 50 states. 🇺🇸⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 2. BU has 17 schools and colleges, including professional ones such as law school, medical school, and a dental school. ⁣⁣ ⁣ 3. BU counts 8 Nobel Laureates, 23 Pulitzer Prize winners, and numerous Rhodes and Marshall Scholars. ⁣ ⁣⁣ 4. There are 13 Biosafety Level 4 labs in the U.S. and BU hosts one of these. 🦠⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 5. Dr. Helen Magill, the first woman to earn a PhD in the U.S., received her degree at BU. 💪🏼⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 6. The first black female medical doctor in the U.S., Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumper, graduated from what is today BU Medical School. 👏🏾⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 7. Martin Luther King Jr. did his PhD at BU. *I’m constantly inspired by this because his work had a great influence on my career decisions*⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 8. BU is seeking to become a leader in data science. They’re even building a new 17-story data science facility. *some people really hate the new building design*⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 9. BU’s mascot is a Boston terrier. Coincidentally, the Boston terrier was first bred in 1839, the same year that BU was founded. 🐾⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 10. BU is ranked #40 for undergraduate education in the country (for perspective for my non-US followers: there are 4000+ degree-granting colleges and universities in the U.S.).⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ 11. Grad school reputation is even stronger. BU is in the top 30 in medicine and economics, top 20 in law, and top 10 in biomedical engineering. BU School of Public Health is ranked #8 in the U.S. and #21 globally. *ofc I’m gonna brag about my school a little😀* ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Did you learn something new about BU?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Do you know any fun facts about your university/college? What’s something that makes you proud of your university/college?
You’ve got to learn to appreciate⁣ the little You’ve got to learn to appreciate⁣ the little things ⁣ in life;⁣ ⁣ like a good cup of coffee,⁣ or a ⁣ fresh-smelling flower,⁣ or the smile of ⁣ a stranger⁣ as you pass⁣ on the streets.⁣ ⁣ The world is a ⁣ monumental beast,⁣ frightening and⁣ discouraging, but ⁣ in small doses, it is⁣ the most beautiful thing⁣ you’ll ever discover. ⁣ ⁣ - unknown
🧡 Don’t forget to give yourself a break. 🧡 🧡 Don’t forget to give yourself a break. 🧡⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’ve been really overworked this past couple of weeks, so much so that it has started to get on my health. This weekend, I’m making a conscious decision to give myself a break.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ So, my plan is to go on a long walk around Boston. I love going on walks! I actually haven’t been outside of my apartment for multiple days, I think it’s time. 😅⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ What do you like to do when you’re on a break from school/work? ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣PS. What do you think of my more casual outfit? I used to never wear sneakers (only for working out), but I am starting to love the comfort now! ⁣
👉🏼 Let’s talk impostor syndrome 👈🏼⁣ ⁣⁣ Impostor syndrome, or what psychologists call impostor phenomenon, is a phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize their accomplishments. Simply put: it reflects a belief that you’re incompetent, inadequate, and undeserving, despite evidence that indicates you are quite skilled and successful. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ According to a review article by Sakulku (2011), an estimated 70% of people will experience these feelings at some point in their lives. The phenomenon is particularly prevalent in grad school and among early stage researchers. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It can be helpful to recognize the type of impostor you are. Dr. Valerie Young lists 5 types of impostors:⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ➡️ 1. The Perfectionist - do you have difficulty delegating your work and do you feel like your work must always be 100% perfect? This may be you.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ➡️ 2. The Superwoman/man - do you stay later in the office/lab than others? Do you find downtime wasteful? Do you feel like you haven’t earned your title and thus need to work harder than others?⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ➡️ 3. The Natural Genius - Are you used to doing really well without much effort? Are you used to getting all A’s? Do you avoid challenges because you are uncomfortable trying something you’re not great at? ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ➡️ 4. The Soloist - Do you feel like you need to achieve everything on your own? Do you try to avoid asking for help? ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ➡️ 5. The Expert - Do you feel like you will never know enough and constantly seek out ways to learn more? Do you worry about being exposed as unknowledgeable? Do you feel insecure and uncomfortable when people call you an expert?⁣ ⁣⁣ Can you recognize some of these types in yourself? I certainly can. I’ve struggled with impostor feelings throughout my grad school career. These feelings have further intensified after starting my PhD. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ In the next post, I’ll share some ways to battle these impostor feelings. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Photo: Joe Light.
What are some common PhD myths? ⁣ ⁣ I thought What are some common PhD myths? ⁣ ⁣ I thought that it will be interesting to write up some common misconceptions that people have about doing a PhD, and debunk them.⁣ ⁣ ❌ MYTH: It’s a nerds club.⁣ ✅ REALITY: Most PhD students are just very focused, passionate, and determined individuals. Interpersonal skills are actually crucial for a successful PhD career, as we mostly work in teams and with other people. PS. I actually think that saying someone is a ‘nerd’ is a compliment. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ MYTH: A PhD only leads to a lifetime in academia. ⁣ ✅ REALITY: The main goal of PhD is to improve your research skills. These skills can be put to use in various settings. While many seek careers as professors and researchers, a growing number of PhD graduates are employed by the private sector. This trend is particularly prominent in STEM fields.⁣ ⁣ ❌ MYTH: PhDs are for the wealthy. ⁣ ✅ REALITY: It varies a lot but there are plenty of PhD programs in the U.S. that give their PhD students a full ride by covering the cost of tuition and offering a full fellowship or TA/RAship. So technically, it can cost you nothing. *only your soul 😈 haha* Nevertheless, living on a student stipend can be complicated if you have a family to sustain. ⁣ ⁣ ❌ MYTH: You’ll be overqualified and unemployable.⁣ ✅ REALITY: While most entry level jobs require an undergraduate degree, having a PhD can mean that you can progress faster in your career. There are also specialized and research-heavy jobs that require a PhD degree to begin with. Though, it varies a lot by field. ⁣ ⁣ PS. I’m thinking of continuing posting content about social justice and racial disparities, particularly disparities in health outcomes. I’m also thinking of writing something about racial disparities in academia. Would you be interested in that kind of content?
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