“Students who are struggling to find a topic for their dissertation need to read up and stay current on research in their field. Not only can reading lead to new ideas, but it can also prevent students from settling on topics that have already been done.”

Antonella Cassia

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I selected University of Arizona’s German studies PhD program because I wanted to combine my interest and experience in Middle Eastern studies with German studies. I had spent time as a journalist writing press reviews about Middle Eastern policy and its representation in European media, so this program was an especially good fit.

I was also able to get full funding in University of Arizona’s program and knew that it was the only school in the country to offer a degree in transcultural German studies. The faculty also had research interests that aligned well with my own.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

To prepare myself for graduate school, I spent a few years working and studying in the field. I had spent time as a journalist, in marketing and tutoring in foreign languages, which gave me a great head start on picking my dissertation topic.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required me to submit GRE scores. I purchased a few GRE preparation books and studied for about 2 months. I found each portion relatively easy to study.

What kind of information did you include in your personal statement?

My personal statement included information about my research interests and life. I discussed a few of the conferences I participated in during my masters program, as well as my work and cultural background. Because I am not a native English speaker, I had a friend read and edit my personal statement so that my proficiency with English would be clear to the admissions boards.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I chose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation who taught me during my masters program in Rome, Italy. I did not know any professors in the United States. I later learned that my letters were very short by American standards.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

My program takes 5 years to complete and has coursework, foreign teaching and dissertation components. The coursework typically takes up the first 2 years of the program, and during the second year, students in my program teach and take classes at University of Leipzig in Germany. In their third year, students take a comprehensive exam and start on their dissertations.

What is the focus of your dissertation research?

The focus of my dissertation research is the way that Germans portray Saudi Arabia in their culture and media. Ultimately, my interest in Islam and Saudi Arabia is what led me to read about the increase of Islamic conversions in Germany, as well as the lives of these Germans who then made pilgrimages to Mecca. The role of Saudi Arabia in the German imagination had not been discussed anywhere, so I wanted to become the first person to do so.

When I decided on this topic, I spoke with my advisor about it. She liked my idea and helped me with my dissertation planning. She also gave me some suggestions about some different areas I could research to help support my idea.

I never would have come across this idea if I had not been reading extensively. Students who are struggling to find a topic for their dissertation need to read up and stay current on research in their field. Not only can reading lead to new ideas, but it can also prevent students from settling on topics that have already been done.

Can you describe the process of researching for and writing your dissertation?

My process for researching and writing my dissertation varies depending on my mood. Some days, I may spend 8 hours on it. Other days, I may spend only 2 hours. But I am always reading and learning.

I have had 1 hurdle to my process, however, which has been language. In English, sentences should not be very long, which is different from writing in Italian, my native language. Italian has very long, wordy sentence structure.

How is the dissertation process different from working on a masters thesis?

The dissertation process differs a great deal from the master thesis process. Coming up with a thesis topic was much easier because originality is less important. It was also only 180 pages long, so I wrote it very quickly. A dissertation, on the other hand, takes up my life. Every museum I visit and every movie I watch somehow relates back to my research.

What role does your advisor play in your education?

My advisor plays the most important role in my education. She gives me feedback and resources, and she guides me through the entire PhD process. She also helped me adjust to life here in Tucson. I chose my advisor because I felt that her research interest in transcultural issues and visual culture would allow me to get the most relevant help.

In fact, the biggest role she has played in my education has been to keep me focused on my dissertation. She will ask me to bring her chapters, which forces me to write them. I think I need that sort of help to stay motivated.

If students want to consistently get the most from their advisors, I think they should do as I did and find ones who know the most about the areas that students anticipate researching. The entire department at my university has been excellent in this respect.

Does your doctoral program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

Yes, my German studies program requires completion of a comprehensive exam before students can graduate. The exam has both written and oral portions. For the written portion, we have to write 4 papers of about 10 pages each over the course of about 6 days. The oral portion lasts for 2 to 3 hours, and a faculty committee asks about everything students have learned in the past few years, which comes from a reading list that PhD candidates prepare with the guidance of the department.

How does a doctoral program differ from graduate study at the masters level?

The biggest difference between doctoral and masters programs is their orientation. Most people who get their PhDs intend to teach afterward, which is why doctoral students take particular care to write strong dissertations. Masters programs are often geared toward students with more professional or non-academic aspirations.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your PhD program cost?

My PhD program would cost about $50,000 a year without funding. However, my program provides me with a tuition waiver and a stipend, so I have not had to pay any tuition costs.

I find that my stipend is enough to cover my secondary costs, such as rent. In my opinion, however, I think that American PhD stipends are much smaller and living expenses much higher than they would be in Europe.

How are you funding your education?

I am funding my education with the tuition waiver and stipend I receive as a graduate teaching associate. To qualify, I must teach 2 classes a semester, which translates into 8 hours in a classroom and several additional hours for grading and office hours.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a PhD in German studies?

The time commitments for a PhD in German studies are demanding, although I am a fast worker and can often make room for free time. During my coursework, I was also teaching 2 courses, so I would spend 15 hours a week in classes and grade or study until 1 in the morning each day.

Now that I am working on my dissertation, I start my day by talking to my family in Italy, then I do my teaching. By the afternoon, I may go exercise or start working on my dissertation in a library or coffee shop, where I will work until late in the evening.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

Graduate school has affected my personal life by saturating every part of my day with research. When I worked full time, I would get out of the office around 6 p.m. and be done for the day. Now that I’ve begun my dissertation, however, my research is always with me. I am never done for the day, but I enjoy my dissertation topic, so I don’t feel too burdened.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself as a professor. I have worked in many other fields, but teaching, research and academia in general are what inspire me. I hope to find a teaching position in Europe or the Middle East.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a PhD in German studies?

My biggest insight for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in German studies is to value the teaching components of their programs. In Europe, doctoral students rarely get the opportunity to teach while they study. Whenever I go home, they often tell me that they are jealous of the teaching opportunities I have in the United States.

Finally, I think that students should consider whether or not they have the discipline to write an excellent dissertation. In my experience, dissertations are business cards for future employers, so if someone is investing 5 or 6 years of their life into a doctoral program to open up job opportunities, then he or she also needs to make sure that they have the energy to do a great dissertation.