Is it worth a master's abroad and coming back to India, especially after 80 L or 1 Crore in loans?

Summary

The script explores the decision to pursue a master's degree abroad and return to India, identifying four key motivations: 1) strong professional or family ties in India, 2) patriotic desire to contribute to India's growth, 3) aspiration to start a business in India, and 4) personal reasons like family. It emphasizes that while a master's degree can enhance one's profile, it's not the sole determinant for career progression in India; professional experience and networks often play a more significant role.

Takeaways

• 🌐 People go abroad for masters to gain international exposure and potentially stay in the host country due to opportunities like study permits, work permits, and eventually green cards.
• 🏫 Some individuals pursue masters abroad to enhance their skills in specific fields such as law, business, or medicine, with plans to return to India and apply their knowledge.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The first category of returnees includes those with strong family or professional ties in India, such as family businesses or established professional practices.
• 🇮🇳 A second group consists of individuals with patriotic desires, who wish to contribute to India's growth and development after gaining international experience.
• 💡 The third category is made up of entrepreneurs and professionals aiming to leverage their international education to start businesses or participate in India's economic growth.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦‍👦 For some, like the speaker, family ties and responsibilities are a strong pull factor to return to India, even after establishing a career abroad.
• 🎓 A master's degree from abroad can be valuable in India, but it's often the professional network and experience that play a more significant role in securing jobs.
• 🔄 The decision to return to India after a master's abroad is influenced by a combination of personal, professional, and emotional factors, not solely by the degree itself.
• 🌟 The international experience gained during a master's abroad can be a catalyst for personal and professional growth, whether one stays abroad or returns to India.
• 🛂 The process of obtaining a study permit, work permit, and eventually a green card or long-term stay permit is seen as a pathway to settling in a foreign country for some students.
• 💼 For those returning to India, the master's degree is often an addition to their professional qualifications, rather than the sole determinant of their career progression.

Q & A

What are the primary reasons people choose to study abroad for their master's degree?

People often go abroad for their master's degree to gain a study permit, which can lead to a work permit and eventually a longer-term stay permit or green card, allowing them to naturalize and live abroad.

Why might someone decide to return to India after completing their master's abroad?

Individuals may return to India due to strong family or professional ties, patriotic desires, the wish to participate in India's growth opportunities, or strong family influences that prompt them to come back.

What are the four categories of people who do their master's abroad and plan to return to India?

The four categories include those with strong business or professional ties in India, those with patriotic desires, those who want to start a business in India, and those who initially settle abroad but are drawn back to India due to family influences.

How does the master's degree contribute to one's career or job prospects in India for someone who has returned from abroad?

A master's degree from abroad can be valuable as it provides international exposure and experience, which can be leveraged in one's career or profession in India, although it is often not the sole driver for job acquisition.

What role does family play in the decision to study abroad and return to India?

Family plays a significant role, as strong family ties can be a catalyst for returning to India, and family expectations or needs, such as caring for aging parents, can influence the decision to come back.

Can you explain the concept of 'Western dream' as mentioned in the script?

The 'Western dream' refers to the aspiration some individuals have to study, settle, and live in Western countries, enjoying the perceived benefits and opportunities these countries offer.

What is the significance of the movie 'Swades' in the context of the script?

The movie 'Swades' is mentioned as an example of patriotic desire, where the protagonist, despite achieving success abroad, feels a strong urge to return to India and contribute to its development.

How does the master's degree act as 'icing on the cake' for those who return to India?

The master's degree acts as 'icing on the cake' because while it adds value to one's profile, it is not the primary factor for job acquisition or career progression in India; professional experience and networks often play a more significant role.

What are the potential benefits of having an international background for someone returning to India?

An international background can provide exposure to global perspectives, advanced skills, and a network that can be advantageous in one's professional or entrepreneurial pursuits in India.

How does the script differentiate between those who view their master's abroad as a one-way ticket to staying abroad versus those who plan to return to India?

The script differentiates by highlighting that those who view their master's as a one-way ticket are primarily seeking permanent residency and naturalization in a foreign country, while those who plan to return often have strong ties or aspirations in India that drive their decision.

What is the importance of professional network and experience in securing a job in India after studying abroad?

Professional network and experience are crucial as they can open doors to job opportunities and help in career progression, often being more influential than the master's degree itself in the Indian job market.