When I began my PhD journey abroad, I didn’t set out to create a network or lead any initiatives. Like many international students, especially in the humanities and social sciences, I was just trying to survive—academically, emotionally, and culturally. But along the way, something unexpected happened.

Very early on, I started volunteering—not because I was aiming for recognition, but simply because I wanted to help those around me. I didn’t expect much in return. Yet through those acts of giving, I received something I didn’t even know I needed: connection, purpose, and hope.

The truth is, doing these small acts of service created a positive loop in my life. Volunteering gave me a sense of meaning and structure during times when research felt overwhelming and isolating. I gained confidence. I grew as a person. And the more I grew, the more I wanted to give back. I realized: we don’t just survive alone—we heal and grow in community.

That’s when the idea for GPEDU (Global PhD in Education Network) began to take shape.

I often wished that such a network had existed when I first began my studies—a space where senior PhD students could support early-stage students, where we could share not only research, but also our struggles and strategies for survival. A space that recognized the emotional, cultural, and practical challenges of pursuing a PhD abroad.

In the humanities and social sciences, the dropout rate for PhD students can be staggering. Many leave not because they lack ability, but because they are overwhelmed by isolation, depression, anxiety, or burnout. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it. And I wanted to do something—even something small—to change that.

GPEDU is my response.

It’s a growing, cross-cultural, and cross-national community built by and for postgraduate researchers. What started as a small support network has expanded to include initiatives for master’s and undergraduate students as well. At its core, GPEDU is about people helping people—senior PhDs guiding those just starting out, scholars across continents lifting each other up, and a collective belief that we deserve to feel seen, supported, and strong.

I hope that GPEDU becomes the community I once wished for—and that it becomes a lifeline, a launchpad, and a lighthouse for many more to come.

— Luman Zhou

Founder, GPEDU

PhD Researcher | Organizer | Educator