My PhD journey came to an end

March 18, 2024

Growing up in a remote part of the world—sleeping on a cowhide rug with a pillow stuffed with buckwheat hulls and waking to the sound of roosters—the journey to earning a Doctorate in Engineering in an advanced country, let alone securing the position of Assistant Professor at the National Institute for Fusion Science, is nothing short of a blessing.

Earning a Dr. Eng. in Optical Measurement was a challenging journey, akin to navigating a bumpy road not taken. Being away from family, the lack of a Bhutanese community near my university, and facing language barriers made me feel like a dedicated hermit meditating in a Hiroshima cave. However, with the unwavering support of my supervisors, co-supervisors, and lab friends, I successfully arrived the end of that road not taken. I am grateful to each of them, and to my family back in Bhutan for their constant encouragement. I cannot express enough gratitude for everything you all have done. I owe everything to my parents, who, despite being farmers without formal education, were the backbone of my journey to earning a Doctor of Engineering. Their wisdom and unwavering support made my dreams possible.

My next academic journey will be as an Proj. Assistant Professor at NIFS, where I will focus on Qualitative monitoring of greenhouse gases by mid-infrared laser sensing. The opportunity to collaborate with esteemed scientists at NIFS fills me with both excitement and anticipation, yet I also have a sense of worry regarding my performance in a new environment with demanding research expectations.

Although I received a postdoctoral position offer from a university in Italy, I chose NIFS due research alignment. I want to express my gratitude to the Italian professors for their offer and consideration.

I am deeply grateful to my root teacher and kenchosum for their blessings throughout my academic journey. The obstacles have been dismantled and they have guided me on this bumpy road not taken with their powerful blessings, allowing me to reach this juncture, for which I am truly blessed. As I move forward, I believe in the power of aligning dedication with the blessings of my guru and kenchosum. Growing up, my faith in kenchosum has always brought me strength and direction.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: I am sharing this accomplishment not to show off, but to express gratitude for the effort and support of my parents that have brought me here.

Additionally, the objective of this post is to inspire people who want to pursue higher education, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds like mine. I want to assure you that, no matter where you come from, you can achieve your goals if you have a willing heart.

Receiving PhD diploma 

My story written by Dechen Wangdi

Growing up in a remote village in Samdrup Jongkhar, the nearest road was a two-day journey. However, my parents, who were farmers, understood that education was not just a luxury but a lifeline. 

Life in the village meant balancing studies with farming chores, often making homework or studying at home impossible. Even in primary school, I attended a boarding school, where conditions were basic—60 to 70 students crammed into a dorm room. Yet, my passion for learning flourished, especially in math and science. 

Adversity struck at 15 when I was diagnosed with TB due to poor nutrition. Hospitalized in Thimphu, I felt lost in the bustling city for the first time. Apa and I got off the bus, unsure where to find our relative's place—back then, we didn’t have cellphones. Forced to take a year off, I grew frustrated and almost quit school to join the monkhood. Despite setbacks, I persevered. 

When I completed high school, I didn’t know what an engineer did. Yet, I went to CST and worked hard. College brought new challenges, but I thrived, even earning an exchange scholarship to study abroad in Europe. Though initially daunting, exposure to new experiences boosted my confidence. Yet, my homesickness worsened to the point I swore never to leave Bhutan again. However, fate had other plans. Soon after graduation, I pursued a master's in Portugal, broadening my educational horizons. Equipped with prior experience living abroad, I excelled. Even before graduating, I landed a teaching position back home. Having been a student my whole life, becoming a teacher was daunting. 

Despite initial struggles, I embraced the challenge, recognizing the importance of continuous learning. After a few years of teaching, I worked toward my next goal—pursuing a PhD. After applying to many universities, I faced several good options. I chose a scholarship in Japan, embarking on a greater challenge. Leaving my family—a wife and baby—I set off to Japan. 

The journey to Japan was fraught with challenges, from language barriers to cultural differences. Yet, my passion for research drove me forward. Life as a PhD student left little time for breaks. Typically, PhDs take 4 years, but my dedication led to completion in 3 years. Receiving my diploma and the internationally prestigious Sakuma Award left me speechless. I wondered how to explain the word PhD to my parents in the village. 

Emotionally, I reflected on my journey from a remote village in Bhutan in poverty to earning a PhD at an international institution. Another success followed shortly—a job as a professor at a university in Japan. I took it to gain experience but always aimed to return and serve the motherland, Bhutan.

 Written by Dechen Wangdi

written on April 3, 2024.

Sonam graduated elementary school (Shogakko) in Japan.

Congratulations to Sonam on graduating from elementary school, and good luck in junior high school.

Note: In Japan, graduations are typically celebrated at the following stages:
1.Kindergarten ( yochien) Ages ~3–5
2.Elementary school (shogakko): ages 6–12
3.Junior high school (chugakko): ages 12–15
4. High school (koko): ages 15–18
5. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s degree)
6.Master’s degree
7. PhD

However, in my life, I have only attended a graduation ceremony for my PhD. I couldn’t attend my undergraduate or master’s graduation ceremonies. In Bhutan, we usually celebrate only the bachelor’s degree graduation. I missed mine because I was studying for my master’s degree at the University of Lisbon in Portugal.

I also didn’t attend my master’s graduation because I was working in Bhutan and didn’t have enough money to travel.
Finally, when I completed my PhD, I attended the graduation ceremony. It was very convenient, as ceremonies are usually held in March or September in Japan, depending on when you enroll. I enrolled in April, so I attended the ceremony in March.

Sonam with her dad and mom