{"id":190,"date":"2021-03-31T09:25:56","date_gmt":"2021-03-31T07:25:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/?p=190"},"modified":"2023-02-07T10:04:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T09:04:08","slug":"new-digital-nomads-or-how-to-pursue-a-phd-in-times-of-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/userblogs.fu-berlin.de\/urban-rural-migration-japan\/2021\/03\/31\/new-digital-nomads-or-how-to-pursue-a-phd-in-times-of-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"New Digital Nomads or: how to pursue a PhD in times of Covid-19"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

by Sarah Bijlsma<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These days, I like to explore the beaches of Miyako Island, a remote island of Okinawa prefecture. I especially like the south-east side of the island; from the Higashi Hennazaki Cape, you can see the sea at both of your sides. There is a white lighthouse at the very end of it. Its straight silhouette rises above the green grass and other vegetation that grows beside the concrete path. A bit earlier, there is an outpost with some tables and planters with tropical sago palms that seem somewhat out of place. The text “wonderful sport island” adorns from the wall – a leftover from the All Japan Triathlon. I can imagine the cape is a well-known tourist attraction, yet, moving towards the end of the road, I only come across two other people. The man and woman wear casual long-sleeves and I guess that they are middle-aged, despite the fact that their faces are blurred. When I arrive at the lighthouse, the sun is already starting to set. The weather is not too great today; at the horizon, there are some slight orange tints coming from behind the dark blue clouds. The sea is equally dark and grey. Looking at the white foam below me, I can imagine how the waves rhythmically break on the rocks. I wonder how many people have walked this digital road before me, visiting Miyako-jima via their screens plugged in at places all over the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n