Guys.. Wherever you are in this part of life, let's talk

Guys, last few days I'm in the process to recalibrate myself after what has happened in last few months. I'm 26 years old. I'm practically an archaeologist now, started about 5 years ago in this field. I'm from the country where people still not appreciating science, hence - archaeological science will be the number last priority to. I graduated from master a year ago.. Been wondering on how to continue life in this field but seems impossible to get going because of my unfortunate place where I was born and still becoming the citizen of it. I honestly not a person who is quite good with rejection or failure, maybe because since I was a kid I was always driven and expected to be excellence in many things. Recently, I didn't get what I want which is an international scholarship for PhD. This really breaks my heart and like I said, I'm still trying to recalibrate my life. I am then thinking, maybe if we grow up and really takes this life as it is, we need to forget becoming idealist and just become an opportunist. Take and do everything which gives more benefit. Forget about the dream of being a scientist, do the job which will give you money. What do you think? Is this life really like this? We're just trying to survive and not living the actual life?