Input:

```
\begin{equation}
\begin{split}
democ_{i,t}={} & \alpha\,democ_{i,t-5} \quad+\quad 
\beta\,students\;abroad_{i,t-5} \quad+\quad \\ & 
\gamma\,democ.\;in\;receiving\;countries_{i,t-5} \quad+\quad\ \\ & 
\delta\,(students\;abroad_{i,t- 
5}*democ.\;in\;receiving\;countries_{i,t-5}) \quad+\quad \\ & 
country\;fixed\;effects_i \quad+\quad time\;fixed\;effects_t 
\quad+\quad \epsilon_{i,t}
\end{split}
\end{equation}

```

Output:
[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/nW5Ri.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/nW5Ri.png)
Why is there extra spacing between the f's in 'effects' when every other word is properly spaced? How do I fix it?