Community - Recent Topics https://bhabona.com/community/ Discover financial opportunities for your ms, phd and postdoc Discussion Board en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 17:40:39 +0000 wpForo 60 F-1 Master's Student & Summer Internship: Do I Need an H-1B Visa? https://bhabona.com/community/internships/f-1-masters-student-summer-internship-do-i-need-an-h-1b-visa/ Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:38:54 +0000 I'm an F-1 student currently enrolled in a Master's program. I received an internship offer for this summer. Do I need to switch to an H1b visa to complete my internship?

]]> Hongjing Yang https://bhabona.com/community/internships/f-1-masters-student-summer-internship-do-i-need-an-h-1b-visa/ F-1 Student with US Citizen Child - Eligible for Child Tax Credit (2023 Filing) ? https://bhabona.com/community/finance/f-1-student-with-us-citizen-child-eligible-for-child-tax-credit-2023-filing/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 18:45:26 +0000 I am an F1 student and my 2-year-old daughter is a US citizen. I work as a teaching assistant at SUNY Albany. Can I claim the child tax credit for my daughter while I file my 2023 tax return? Additionally, will claiming the child tax credit affect my future green card application? Can someone please provide me with information on this matter? 

]]> Maryam Sadeghi https://bhabona.com/community/finance/f-1-student-with-us-citizen-child-eligible-for-child-tax-credit-2023-filing/ PhD Dilemma: Top University vs Staying with Spouse at Same University https://bhabona.com/community/admission-offer-evaluation/phd-dilemma-top-university-vs-staying-with-spouse-at-same-university/ Sat, 30 Mar 2024 11:19:08 +0000 My wife and I both received fully funded PhD offers from the same university for Fall 2024. However, I also received an offer from a top-ranked university (within the top 100 according to the US News Best Global University Ranking).

In both universities, my research area is similar. At my wife's university, the professor is a well-established full professor with a strong profile. At the top-ranked university, the professor is an associate professor, but the university is #1 in my field and the research group is highly active. 

Any advice on what to do? We're torn! Should we prioritize being together at the same school or should I pursue the top-ranked program? The distance between the two universities is approximately 7 hours by flight.

If experienced members of this community could offer their insights, it would be incredibly helpful in making this decision.

]]> Towsif Ahmed https://bhabona.com/community/admission-offer-evaluation/phd-dilemma-top-university-vs-staying-with-spouse-at-same-university/ Improving TOEFL Listening & Speaking Scores https://bhabona.com/community/standardized-tests/improving-toefl-listening-speaking-scores/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 22:39:11 +0000 I am Jahinul Islam from Bangladesh, and I am aiming for a fully funded phd in the USA. I recently took the TOEFL exam and scored 81 overall. Reading: 23, Listening: 17, Speaking: 18, Writing: 23. Since universities often emphasize speaking and listening scores for teaching assistantships, I want to know the best strategies to improve these areas before retaking the TOEFL.

]]> Jahin https://bhabona.com/community/standardized-tests/improving-toefl-listening-speaking-scores/