Julia Frank
BIO
4th year BSc physics student, wife, mother of 4 (ages 16, 14, 9, 6).
Instagram: @spinneuron
Twitter: @physics_math_me
Julia Frank
“The path to a career in science has not been a straight line. I had to take many turns and re-routes to get where I am now.”
Hi, I am Julia! I am an undergraduate physics student in the last year of my BSc degree. In September 2022, I hope to begin an MSc in Physics in Condensed Matter Research, particularly interested in materials science. But I am also a mother of four and a wife. The path to a career in science has not been a straight line. I had to take many turns and re-routes to get where I am now. It is my fourth attempt - this time a successful one - to finish my physics degree.
Attempt 1. I’ve always loved studying, and I loved math. Right after high school, back in my home country, I went to university to study physics. After three semesters, I got an opportunity to go to Germany for one year, learn the language, and have some international experience. I took a chance and decided to take a one-year academic break with the intent to come back and continue my degree. During my stay in Germany, I met my husband and got married, so I did not come back to my home country. A new chapter in my life started.
Attempt 2. I wanted to continue my education and applied for a physics program at TU Darmstadt. I got in under a provision that I would have to begin from semester one, as international students have different regulations. After I finished the first year, I got pregnant. I chose my family over a career.
Attempt 3. Fast forward six years, now with two kids ages 4 and 2, we moved to Canada. And once again, I wanted to start over. One year before the planned moving date, I began to prepare to apply to a university in Canada. I learned English on my own while working night shifts at a local mail sorting station. It was mundane and repetitive work, but it was perfect for learning English! I had my earphones on every night shift, improving my listening and comprehension skills. The hard work paid off, and I passed the Academic TOEFL test just one point higher than the minimum required score to be accepted by the university. I got my university acceptance letter a few weeks before the flight to Canada. I started the first year (once again) of university two months after landing in a country that became our new home. One year later, I dropped out of school again... This time, the reason was trivial - I was afraid of driving in winter. That first year my husband drove me to university. It’s an 85km commute one way for me. But then he switched jobs and no longer could do it. I found work locally and thought this is it for my career in science.
Attempt 4. 7 years later, a few promotions at my job, and with four kids now, I realized I couldn’t do it anymore. I was working in finance and hated it with a passion. It also felt like I hit the ceiling at what I can achieve. It felt like I can’t grow intellectually anymore. It was time for a change! In 2017 I went back to uni to continue my unfinished physics degree. I will be graduating soon!
Handling full-time school and family was not easy. But my husband was super supportive, though he has nothing to do with academic work. He has willingly taken over all financial responsibility for our family while I am in school, and I am forever grateful to him for that!! He also shared some house chores with me so I can study. It’s more like 50/50 now when it comes to housework, taking kids to sports activities, etc. We also had access to an affordable daycare for my youngest kids. At the same time, the Canadian government provides very nice grants for students with dependents, which helped to ease the financial strain a lot. Without all of that, I don’t think I could have done it!