S3E8: International PhD Life, Research, and Reinvention | ft Dr. Debipreeta Rahut

In this episode of Graduate Students’ Den, we’re joined by Dr. Debipreeta Rahut, whose journey spans journalism, academia, and continents.From Kolkata, India, to earning her PhD in Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University, and now teaching at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Rahut shares what it really takes to navigate graduate school as an international student while building a meaningful academic career.We explore her experiences balancing teaching and research, building community in a new environment, and navigating the cultural and professional transitions that come with studying abroad.Dr. Rahut also walks us through her research at the intersection of gender, media, and technology, including her work on digital activism during COVID-19 and her critique of how knowledge from the Global South is often treated in academia.This episode is thoughtful, honest, and deeply reflective — touching on identity, resilience, and what it means to find your place in academia across borders.If you’re an international student, aspiring academic, or simply curious about the realities of graduate school beyond the classroom, this conversation is for you.