Internationalmatt's Blog

I Survived My First Visit to the Secret Lair of 2 International PHD Students- Thiago and Pravat

In all of my previous posts I have written about people I have met, places i have visited and cultural celebrations I have enjoyed. The adventures have taken me to many exciting places, but there was one place I had yet to explore. It is a location you must be prepared for anything to happen due to the unknown nature of the species you are going to encounter. They are a rare species that can be hard to find, but I had such good fortune yesterday to not only locate this species, but to also find their secret lair. The species is Internationalus PHD Studenti or International PHD Student in layman terms.

Thiago from the Brazilian type of Internationalus PHD Studenti

I entered their secret cave to help Thiago to review his dissertation before it is published next week. I went to review the English and my mind is now full of terms like micro-structural and words you will not find in your spell check such as cementitious. This is indeed the danger of observing this species- your mind may be filled with information that you yourself may never have need of but is essential to their survival.

Before I entered this secret cave, I wondered what I might observe. Would I see them bending spoons with their mental power just to entertain themselves? Would I observe them communicating telepathically? I did not observe those type of behaviors, Perhaps I will see that my next visit. What I did observe was a laser like focus and ability to concentrate regardless of what was going on in close proximity to them. Example- Pravat. While Thiago and I were reviewing his dissertation, Pravat was focused on his computer.

Pravat whose natural habitat is Nepal

In this picture is Pravat whose natural habitat is Nepal. Notice his laser focus on his work even though I was talking to him. Then came the brief recognition that I had entered his lair that he shares with Thiago.

his slight smile

Finally I was able to break his laser focus after several attempts. No need to be frightened because this species is quite amiable when encountered.

his focus broken - Pravat smiles

My visit was productive. I was able to attain a greater understanding of the species Internationalus PHD Studenti. I was not subjected to any mind meld or telepathic suggestions, at least none that I am aware of lol. The danger is that you leave thinking- maybe I should pursue a PHD. Pravat will go to his natural habitat of Nepal for one month. He may experience some discomfort to be away from his secret cave and out and about Nepal with no experiments to research to comfort him. Thiago is about to move up from Internationalus PHD Studenti to Post-Doctoralus Researcherus. I will try to continue my research on this rare exciting species and report my findings in the future. Until then remember to appreciate and not fear this rare species.

July 19, 2011 Posted by internationalmatt | Brazilian friends, Education, Experiences of international friends, Globalization, International Friendships, international students, Internationals | Leave a Comment