scorpiosis37, if I got tis right, nushi is talking about external grants. If one gets such a grant, one is more flexible about where to do his/her PhD, because salary is not an issue anymore. I have applied for one of these before I started my PhD and I did not get it.

There is also a difference between doing PhD in the US and in Europe. I did mine in Europe and all I had to do is ask the PI's whether they would take me in. You can pretty much start doing your PhD any time of the year, the start is not fixed to one season. In the US, however, most of the time it is an official application process that goes through the institution. I work at a University and I know a lot of people who were applying in the US. Also, as far as I understand, just sending in an application costs around $100.

nushi, regarding your question. Where do you see yourself in the future? Back in Egypt or somewhere else?

I worked a lot during my Master education and I was fine (not much personal life though), but doing PhD really put a test on my sanity. It's the whole reason I am on this forum.