Photo: Natalie Buhagiar and her children (left) Marcelle Bugre and her children (right)
The Newspoint team met up with two mothers, Natalie Buhagiar who is a resident academic at the Occupational Therapy Department and Marcelle Bugre, who will be taking on a new role as an Equity Coordinator at the University of Malta.
Marcelle and Natalie are both mothers of three young adults, Natalie is about to graduate from her PhD this coming year and Marcelle graduated from her Masters studies in Conflict Resolution (Master of Social Work) in 2020. Natalie and Marcelle give us an insight of what it's like to balance studies whilst having full-time motherly duties.
Q: What motivated you to start studying again after having children?
Marcelle: Throughout the time when I had young children, I worked as a volunteer with NGOs, and I knew I would want to work formally in the social sector, and therefore I will need the adequate qualifications. I also wanted to expand my knowledge and learn more about migration.
Natalie: I never really stopped studying I guess! I completed my MSc in Paediatric Occupational Therapy degree soon after my undergraduate training and before my first child was born. Whilst my children were younger and in need of my presence and support, I chose continuing education opportunities that could include them and provide opportunities for their education too. When my girls were still preschoolers we travelled to Southern California after I was awarded a scholarship to attend postgraduate studies at the University there. When my children were in their teens we spent time as a family in North Carolina, Chapel Hill after being awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. The desire to find the best evidence-based ways to support children’s participation in inclusive environments, led me to embark on my doctoral journey, through which I conceptualised a collaborative whole school approach to supporting children’s participation in Malta’s early years school setting.
Q: What ages were your children when you went back to University?
Marcelle: It was 2008, my youngest was seven, the eldest 12 and the middle child 10.
Natalie: When I started my PhD, my eldest daughter was 16 and embarking her sixth form journey, the middle child was 14 and in secondary school and my son was 11 and had just finished primary school.
Q: What were the main challenges you encountered with balancing being a mother and a student?
Marcelle: Picking up children to and from school, taking them to private lessons and recreational activities. It was a nightmare juggling transport, activities, cooking and supporting them with their school work!
I would say that studying kept me sane as it kept me well focused, like something solid amongst all that chaos and movement.During my undergraduate studies I spent a semester at George Mason university in Virginia and I learned a lot from the pedagogies there and especially about the value of self representation.
I never saw my studies as a distraction from motherhood but that both roles add value to one another. Many mothers face numerous barriers when considering continuing their education and improving their career path, and as a society we need to do more to improve access for them.
Natalie: When I took the decision to embark on the PhD, with the blessing of my family, I knew and accepted that this would need to be an integral part of my life for 6 to 7 years .Throughout these years I did my utmost to keep my family as my top priority. I integrated my PhD studies into my already existing occupations, roles and routines. For example I would read articles while waiting for my daughters' to finish a dance class, or I would work on assignments in a nearby coffee shop when I took my son to play squash. I woke up early to work on my writing and slept late to catch up on other jobs that needed to be done.
Reorganising my routines whilst doing my utmost to fulfil my roles as a wife, mother, educator , daughter, sibling, friend and volunteer (especially during the COVID pandemic) was sometimes a challenge.Throughout the doctoral journey, no matter how much support one has, you often feel very much on your own. Another challenge would be the temptation to put one’s life entirely on hold to just focus on one's studies. I was determined to not do that. It was most important for me to accompany and support my children through their own educational journey, their passion and training in the performing arts and their entry into the world of work, to have fun with them, enjoy family time and see them grow up into happy healthy adults.
Q: When did you graduate? And how do you describe the feeling of accomplishing a degree, knowing you are an example to your children?
Marcelle: My first graduation was in 2012, another one in 2013, and the Master graduation in 2020. It was a great feeling knowing that my children always supported me to do what made me happy and also in the most stressful and difficult times. It was very fulfilling, and I will keep encouraging them to do the same. My experience in studying has benefited my children, and being a mother helped me in being innovative, assertive and empathic in the way I perceive and use my privilege. I feel I have set a strong example for them.
Natalie: I hope to graduate this Autumn. I am proud to have completed my doctoral studies this year especially after very two difficult final years marred by the COVID pandemic. I mostly look forward to using my research to support an important area of practice. I doubt my children are at this stage inspired to read for a PhD but my hope and greatest pride is that my journey has taught them patience, perseverance, hard work and being passionate about what you do in life are all necessary to achieve one’s dreams. In this regard I am confident that I have set them a good example!