Reality of Indian Students Going Abroad

Summary

The script explores the motivations and challenges of Indian students studying abroad, highlighting the high costs and intense competition in India's education system. It delves into the pursuit of better opportunities, professional environments, and quality of life, while also addressing the harsh realities of visa struggles, job market challenges, and social isolation. The narrative underscores the complex decision-making process behind seeking education overseas, reflecting the diverse experiences and outcomes of Indian students in various global contexts.

Takeaways

• 📚 In 2023, approximately 13 lakh Indian students went abroad for higher education, with the majority opting for the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.
• 💰 On average, these students spent 32 lakh rupees annually on their education abroad, indicating a significant financial investment.
• 🤔 Despite the high cost, many Indian students abroad reported dissatisfaction, raising questions about the value and motivations behind studying overseas.
• 🌍 The script highlights the diverse range of countries Indian students are choosing for education, beyond the traditional study destinations.
• 📉 The economic slowdown post-COVID-19 has led to a challenging job market for international students, including those from India, in their host countries.
• 🏫 Indian students often face intense competition to get into top colleges in India, with acceptance rates for prestigious programs being very low.
• 🏛 The quality of education in India is a concern, with many colleges lacking in curriculum, faculty, and practical skill development.
• 💼 Employment prospects for Indian graduates, both domestically and internationally, are not always promising, with employability rates varying by degree and field.
• 🌐 The desire for a better quality of life, professional opportunities, and social status are cited as reasons for Indians to seek education abroad.
• 🔄 There is a dichotomy in experiences, with some students thriving abroad and others facing significant challenges, including visa issues and cultural adjustment.
• 🏙️ The script emphasizes the subjective nature of 'happiness' and 'success', suggesting that the decision to study abroad is deeply personal and varies greatly among individuals.

Q & A

How many Indian students went abroad to study in 2023, and what was the total expenditure on average per student per year?

In 2023, 13 lakh Indian students went abroad to study. On average, these students spent 32 lakh rupees every year.

Which four countries received the majority of Indian students in 2023, and what were the approximate numbers for each country?

The majority of Indian students went to the United States (250,000), Canada (300,000), the United Kingdom (130,000), and Australia (80,000).

What percentage of Indian students who went abroad in 2023 chose these four countries, and what does the rest of the percentage represent?

65% of the Indian students who went abroad in 2023 chose the four mentioned countries. The remaining 35% went to other countries, some of which may be lesser-known.

What are some of the lesser-known countries where Indian students are studying, as mentioned in the script?

Some lesser-known countries where Indian students are studying include Kyrgyzstan (14,000 students), Italy (6,000 students), Bangladesh (9,300 students), Taiwan (over 2,000 students), and Venezuela (93 students).

Which Indian states contribute the most to the number of students studying abroad, and what percentage of the total do they represent?

Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh contribute 38% of the students studying abroad.

What are the two most common degrees pursued by Indian students going abroad, and what percentage of students are pursuing each?

60% of Indian students abroad pursue a master's degree, while 33% go for their bachelor's degree.

What is the estimated growth in the number of Indian students going abroad for the next two years?

The number of Indian students going abroad is estimated to grow by 7% in the next two years.

Why do Indian students choose to go abroad despite the high competition and limited seats in top Indian colleges?

Indian students want to escape the intense competition in India, where entrance exams act as filters and only a small percentage of applicants gain admission to top colleges like IITs and IIMs.

What is the state of most Indian colleges in terms of curriculum and faculty, according to the script?

The script suggests that most Indian colleges lack a strong middle class of institutions, with either highly praised colleges like IIT IIM or those in poor condition. The focus is often on infrastructure rather than curriculum and faculty quality.

How does the script describe the employability of Indian business graduates and the potential reasons behind it?

The script states that only 7% of India's business graduates are employable, suggesting that the quality of education and lack of practical skills are significant issues.

What are some of the challenges faced by Indian students who have gone abroad, as highlighted in the script?

Challenges faced by Indian students abroad include economic slowdown leading to job scarcity, high cost of living, visa struggles, social anxiety, loneliness, and cultural differences.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Indian Students Abroad: Trends and Challenges

The script discusses the significant number of Indian students studying abroad, particularly in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, totaling 13 lakh in 2023. It highlights the high annual expenditure of 32 lakh rupees per student and raises concerns about their happiness and safety despite the investment. The narrative explores the reasons behind this trend, including the intense competition in India's education system, the allure of global exposure, and the stark reality of violence against Indian students overseas. It also touches on the diversity of destinations, with a focus on the top four countries and a surprising number of students in less conventional study locations like Kyrgyzstan and Venezuela. The socioeconomic backgrounds and future prospects of these students are considered, including the projected 7% growth in the number of students going abroad and the paradox of India's abundant higher education institutions versus the 'branding' of foreign degrees.

05:00

📉 The Reality of Indian Higher Education and Employment

This paragraph delves into the state of higher education in India, emphasizing the employability gap and the lack of practical skills among graduates. It reveals shocking findings from a test on young Indians' basic computer skills and points to the low employability rate of business graduates. The script criticizes the quality of education, with outdated curricula in engineering colleges and a poor student-teacher ratio. It also discusses the commercialization of education, with politicians and builders running colleges for profit rather than academic excellence. The paragraph further explores the limited options for Indian students: either succeed in highly competitive exams or risk attending substandard colleges, and the push to study abroad as a means to secure better employment opportunities and higher income.

10:02

🌍 Pursuit of a Better Life and Professional Opportunities

The script examines the motivations of Indian students to study abroad beyond just income, such as seeking a better quality of life and professional work environments. It contrasts the professional expectations in India with those in countries like the US, where hard work is rewarded regardless of appearance and there is less expectation of overtime. The narrative also addresses the challenges faced by PhD students in India, the prevalence of academic dishonesty, and the subjective nature of what constitutes a better quality of life, including factors like air pollution, personal freedom, and infrastructure. The societal status associated with foreign education, particularly in the context of marriage and dowry negotiations, is also highlighted, showing the complex interplay of cultural, economic, and social factors influencing the decision to study abroad.

15:03

📉 Economic Realities and the Struggle for Employment Abroad

This paragraph discusses the economic slowdown in countries hosting Indian students and its impact on employment opportunities. It provides examples of students struggling to find jobs, even with advanced degrees, and having to settle for part-time or unrelated work to make ends meet. The script mentions the global economic challenges post-COVID-19, leading to companies reducing their workforce to cut costs. It also touches on the inflated cost of living in certain areas, even for those earning high salaries, and the disillusionment with the value of foreign degrees in the job market. The narrative underscores the harsh reality that many Indian students face in their pursuit of a better life abroad, contrary to the dreams they may have had.

20:04

🏛 The Visa Lottery and the Struggle for Permanent Residency

The script focuses on the complexities and challenges of obtaining visas and permanent residency for Indian students and professionals in countries like the US, Canada, and the UK. It explains the limited number of H1B visas available and the lottery system that determines who gets to stay and work in the US post-graduation. The narrative also exposes visa scams and the exploitation of students desperate for appointments at American embassies. The discussion extends to the lengthy process of obtaining a green card, with wait times exceeding 100 years for Indian citizens, highlighting the precariousness of their situation and the emotional toll of living abroad, including feelings of loneliness and homesickness.

25:10

🌐 The Cultural Clash and the Search for Belonging

The final paragraph addresses the cultural differences and social challenges faced by Indian students abroad, including feelings of isolation and the difficulty of adjusting to new environments. It discusses the higher incidence of homesickness among Indian students due to their culture's emphasis on social interdependence. The script also brings attention to the recent violent incidents against Indian students, which have raised concerns about safety in foreign countries. It concludes by acknowledging the subjective nature of happiness and the importance of recognizing that each individual has their own unique equation for well-being, which may not necessarily involve living or studying abroad.

Keywords

💡Indian Students Abroad

This term refers to the large number of Indian students who pursue higher education in foreign countries. In the video's context, it highlights the significant number of students, such as 250,000 in America and 300,000 in Canada, who went abroad in 2023. The theme revolves around understanding their motivations, experiences, and the implications of this trend.

💡Educational Expenditure

Educational Expenditure refers to the costs incurred by students for their education, which in the video, is mentioned as an average of 32 lakh rupees per year. This term is central to the discussion on whether the investment in studying abroad is justified given the financial burden and the varying outcomes for students.

💡Competitive Exams

Competitive Exams in India, such as NEET and JEE, are high-stakes tests that determine admission to prestigious institutions. The video uses these exams to illustrate the intense competition and the 'tournament'-like atmosphere of Indian education, which is a driving factor for students seeking opportunities abroad.

💡Quality of Education

Quality of Education is a critical concept in the video, which is used to compare the educational experiences and outcomes in India versus abroad. It raises concerns about the adequacy of skills among Indian youth and the employability of graduates, suggesting a reason why students might seek better education quality elsewhere.

💡Employability

Employability refers to the ability of a person to gainful employment. The video discusses the low employability rate of Indian business graduates, with only 7% being deemed employable, indicating a potential flaw in the education system and a reason for students to consider foreign education.

💡Visa Struggles

Visa Struggles highlight the challenges faced by international students in obtaining and maintaining legal status to study and work in foreign countries. The video discusses the H-1B visa lottery system in the U.S., which is a significant hurdle for Indian students seeking to work post-graduation.

💡Economic Slowdown

Economic Slowdown is a term used in the video to describe the global economic conditions post-COVID-19, which have affected job markets and opportunities for students abroad. This context is important for understanding the difficulties faced by Indian students in finding employment after their studies.

💡Quality of Life

Quality of Life is a subjective measure of well-being that includes factors like health, environment, and personal freedom. The video contrasts the quality of life in India with that in foreign countries, suggesting that some students may choose to study abroad for a perceived better lifestyle.

💡Social Anxiety and Loneliness

Social Anxiety and Loneliness are emotional states experienced by individuals far from their home culture. The video script mentions these feelings as common among Indian students abroad, affecting their mental health and overall experience.

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural Differences refer to the variances in social norms, behaviors, and values between different societies. The video discusses how the cultural gap between India and Western countries can lead to feelings of isolation and difficulty in adjusting for Indian students studying abroad.

💡Marriage Market

The Marriage Market in the video represents the social and economic dynamics where factors like foreign education influence marriage prospects and dowry negotiations. It is used to illustrate the societal value placed on overseas education and its impact on personal relationships.

Highlights

In 2023, about 13 lakh Indian students went abroad for higher studies, with significant numbers going to the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

Indian students abroad spend an average of 32 lakh rupees annually on their education.

Despite high spending, many Indian students studying abroad are unhappy due to various challenges.

Some Indian students face violent attacks and a hostile environment in foreign countries.

A significant number of Indian students are studying in lesser-known countries like Kyrgyzstan, Italy, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Venezuela.

38% of Indian students abroad are from Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

60% of students pursuing higher education abroad are going for a master's degree, while 33% are pursuing their bachelor's.

There is an estimated 7% growth in the number of Indian students going abroad for the next two years.

India has 1,200 universities and 50,000 colleges, yet students are still opting to study abroad.

Indian students are seeking to escape intense competition in the Indian education system, likened to a tournament by Gaurav Munjal.

The Indian education system is criticized for its focus on brand names, with IIT and IIM graduates receiving preferential treatment in jobs and marriages.

Many Indian colleges lack quality education, with an average student unable to perform basic tasks such as sending an email with an attachment.

Only 7% of India's business graduates are deemed employable, with even fewer being employable across other degrees.

The Indian engineering education system is criticized for its poor student-teacher ratio and outdated curriculum.

Some Indian colleges are described as real estate rackets, controlled by politicians and builders rather than educators.

Indian students abroad are seeking better professional opportunities and higher income, with a World Bank report showing a 120% income increase for those who migrate abroad.

The quality of life, including factors like air pollution, freedom of movement, and infrastructure, is a significant factor for Indian students choosing to study abroad.

The social status associated with studying abroad, especially in the marriage market, influences the decision of many Indian students.

Despite the challenges and high costs, some Indian students abroad have positive experiences and find value in their international education.

The economic slowdown post-COVID-19 has made it difficult for Indian students to find jobs abroad, with many struggling with unemployment.

Visa struggles and scams are common among Indian students seeking to work in countries like the US, UK, and Canada.

The cultural differences and social isolation faced by Indian students abroad can lead to feelings of loneliness and homesickness.

Despite the challenges, some Indian students who have been admitted to top colleges abroad and received good job offers are optimistic about their future.

The happiness equation varies for each individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Transcripts

About 250,000 in America,

300,000 in Canada,

130,000 in the UK,

and about 80,000 in Australia.

These were the number of Indian students who went to these countries in 2023.

In total, 13 lakh Indian students went abroad to study.

The students who went to these four countries, on average,

spent 32 lakh rupees every year.

Despite spending so much money, many students are not happy.

So if despite spending lakhs of rupees, students are not happy,

then why are they going abroad?

Especially in an environment where there are many violent

attacks against Indian students.

But some students' story is very positive.

Now, both the students have a very different story.

So, who's wrong? Or maybe nobody is wrong.

When many people, including famous entrepreneurs,

are talking about the story of India,

is it worth spending 32 lakh rupees every year to go abroad and study?

Let's first understand today's situation.

Last year, 13 lakh Indian students went abroad.

65% of them went to these 4 countries.

But there are many students who are going to countries that

you may not have heard of.

The Ministry of External Affairs released this circular in 2022.

14,000 Indian students were studying in Kyrgyzstan,

where they mostly go for MBBS degrees.

6,000 students in Italy, 9,300 students in Bangladesh,

more than 2,000 students in Taiwan, and 93 students in Venezuela.

A South American country that may take 30 hours to reach.

38% students are from 4 Indian states.

Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Many of you may have guessed Punjab and Maharashtra.

But you may not know that like Punjab, people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

also dream of going abroad.

Goa and Kerala are not sending students in large numbers.

But as a percentage of their population,

students from these states go abroad in large numbers.

60% of students go for a master's degree,

while 33% of students go for their bachelor's degree.

Don't think that the number of Indian students going abroad is decreasing.

For the next two years, it is estimated that

there will be a 7% growth in this number.

But it's not as if India has a shortage of colleges.

There are 1,200 universities in our country, and 50,000 colleges.

So why are Indians going abroad?

Let's first understand this question.

And then we'll talk about whether the dream of going abroad is worth it.

The first reason is that Indian students want to escape the competition here.

Gaurav Munjal, the co-founder of Unacademy, said that

the exam system in India is like a tournament.

And he's right.

Entering a good college in India is no less than winning a tournament.

In 2023, NEET's UG exam was taken by 20 lakh people

for 1,40,000 MBBS and dental seats.

That's a 7% admission rate.

11 lakh people competed for JEE mains for 17,000 seats in 23 IITs.

That's a 4% acceptance rate.

UPSC prelims are taken by 10 lakh people,

and only 1,000 people make it to the rank list.

In India, these entrance exams work like a filter.

Whoever passes this filter, gets a ready-made,

tried-and-tested stamp for life.

You can use this branded stamp for jobs and marriages.

Like a start-up founder from Hyderabad, Laxman Papineni,

said that investors don't bet on ideas, but on entrepreneurs.

If an entrepreneur is an IIT graduate, there's no need to worry.

Because after saying that you're an IIT graduate,

you don't need to prove to anyone how hardworking or smart you are.

Just saying that you're an IIT graduate is enough.

Our society is so crazy about branding,

that a separate website has been created for marriages.

IIT IIM matrimonial website.

It's brand ambassador is Karan Johar.

But the smartest people are not the IIT IIM graduates

who are getting married through this website.

It's the founder of this website, who isn't from IIT.

But he has created a business to earn money from these people.

Those who don't pass this filter, are left with private colleges.

The problem in our country is that we don't have a middle class of colleges.

Either colleges like IIT IIM, who are highly praised in our society.

Or colleges whose condition is very bad.

To assess the quality of most Indian colleges,

you can see the skills of an average Indian youth.

What I'm about to tell you, will shock you.

A test was conducted on 15-29 year olds.

The test found that most people can't even send an email

with an attachment.

In some states, only 20% of the youth can do this.

Very few people know how to copy-paste.

And fewer people can install and configure software on their PCs.

This is the future of our country.

We're talking about AI and chatGPT.

But our youth can't even send an email with an attachment.

So it's not surprising when a report says that only 7% of

India's business graduates are employable.

In another report, the numbers were better.

They showed that in all degrees, MBA and B.Com graduates

are the most employable.

But that report also says that 40% of such graduates are not employable.

After going to college, many B.Com graduates find out that

their degree doesn't have much scope.

They either have to do a CA, MBA, or a government job.

The condition of Indian engineering colleges is even worse.

In some curriculums, they're taught what a floppy disk,

printer, and keyboard are.

Professor Prem Vrat, who was the former director of IIT Roorkee,

said that there are many colleges being built in the country.

But they're all made-up.

The focus of these colleges is to build good buildings.

But they forget that good colleges need curriculum and faculty.

The regulatory body of engineering colleges, AICET, says that

for good engineering education, the student-teacher ratio should be 15 to 1.

But the average in the country is 28 to 1.

While in some states, like Bihar, it's 68 to 1.

And in Jharkhand, it's 81 to 1.

Former IIM Ahmedabad professor V. Raghunathan said that

many colleges in India are actually a real estate racket.

Because politicians and builders are controlling these colleges.

Brij Bhushan Singh, former wrestling president,

who was accused of sexually harassing many female wrestlers,

has his own 54 educational institutes.

This is because many regulations are required to build a college.

Especially, to buy land.

And it's easiest for the politicians to buy land in our country.

In many non-technical courses, like BA courses,

internships are not compulsory.

So, students don't get any practical skills.

What would their situation be in the job market?

So, in India, most students have only two options.

Either you win a tournament.

Or you take the risk of going to a college where you won't

be taught anything.

If you want to get a job, you'll have to do it on your own.

The college won't help you.

That's why many people go abroad.

The Master's Union is trying to change this.

Last month, I met 5 of their undergrad students.

But their initial perspective about the Master's Union was very different.

Yashu told me that his father wasn't so sure about the college.

Krishna's brother was also wondering the same.

Almost all these students were thinking of going abroad.

Krishna got an admission in Boston's Babson College.

While Yashu and Bhargav were considering IIM Indore's IPM program.

But it wasn't easy to go abroad due to finances.

The Master's Union gives a degree from a UGC certified DU.

But these students chose this college for 3 more reasons.

The first reason was the college's peer group.

We all want to get students in the college who are diverse

and ambitious like us.

The second important thing for them was access.

Rohil's perspective changed when he attended a session of the CFO of OYO.

Krishna got an opportunity to meet the Physicswalla team.

Students like Yashu who want to launch their own business after graduation

liked the college's focus on practical skills.

Many people's perspectives changed.

Like Rohil's family was very happy with his experience.

Krishna's family may not be 100% convinced, but they trust his choices.

If you want to be in their shoes, then apply for the Masters' Union's UG program.

Round 2's deadline is 23rd February.

The link is in the description.

Remember that it's pretty expensive,

but scholarships are available for the right candidates.

Now let's come back to our video.

But we also know that in our country, people are not just

running after education, but they're looking for returns to education.

Basically, how much money will you get?

Most people want to study abroad so that they get the opportunity

to earn more money.

A World Bank report shows that

when Indians migrate inside their own country for work,

their income increases by 40%.

But when they go abroad, their income is increased by 120%.

I know that some of you will argue about the cost of living.

We will discuss that later.

Some people say that we are not only going abroad for income,

but we are also getting a better professional work environment there.

When I talked to a dentist, they said that in India,

patients don't know oral hygiene.

They have to see such patients daily who make them feel disgusted.

But when they practice dentistry in America,

their patients know basic oral hygiene, and they get better pay.

In a country like America, capitalism is so deep,

that in many companies, employees are rewarded for their hard work.

Even if they look different.

Like Satya Nadella or Sundar Pichai.

"In India, it is expected that you will do overtime."

"You will sit even after 9-5."

"You can get a call at night or on weekends."

"It is not like that in the US."

Now, everyone's experience would not have been like this.

But if you look at ILO's research,

India was the 6th most hard-working country in the world.

Every week, an Indian was working for 48 hours.

In India, the professional environment can be toxic.

And in India, employees don't have many legal options.

For many students, it is difficult to make a career in India.

Especially PhD students.

People have to wait for years to publish a paper.

Like Souvik Roy, who is a PhD scholar from IISER Kolkata,

he said that people have to wait for 2 years to publish a paper.

And many hard-working students have to compete in an environment

where cheating is very common.

For Rs.1000, Madhumita, a woman in West Bengal,

will publish a research paper for you in a journal.

In social media channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram,

you will get ready-made research papers.

The third reason is quality of life.

This is a subjective term in which we can talk about many things.

For example, air pollution.

According to the University of Chicago, if you live in Delhi, on average,

your life will be reduced by 12 years.

This is 5 years for an average Indian.

Let me repeat again.

On average, an Indian's life is reduced by 5 years due to air pollution.

For others, quality of life means

freedom of movement and freedom to varied lifestyles.

For others, noise pollution and cleanliness matter.

"The biggest difference is population."

"There is less crowd and traffic."

"I personally prefer a peaceful environment."

For others, it can be infrastructure.

Quality of life is very subjective.

There can be some things that you find low-value

but are very important for someone.

For example, walking.

Walking on footpaths in India is very difficult in many cities.

The footpath may be broken, there may be a cart,

there may be street dogs, or there may be an accident with a car.

This is not the case in many countries.

People who value these things will say that going abroad is worth it.

And the last thing is status in society.

The best market to test this status theory is the marriage market.

In Punjab, the fascination for going abroad is so strong

that 19-year-old women are getting married to 40-year-old men.

Why?

Because 40-year-old men have money,

and 19-year-old women have English-speaking skills

which will help them pass the IELTS test and get a student visa to go abroad.

Along with the student visa, they will also get a spouse visa

which will allow them to take their 40-year-old husband abroad.

Such marriage deals are being made in Punjab.

A man with money and a woman with English-speaking skills are getting married.

This is why there is a reverse dowry.

In Telangana, foreign education is used to negotiate dowry.

If the boy is educated abroad, the demand for dowry increases.

If the girl is educated abroad, the demand for dowry decreases.

So, has everyone's dreams come true by going abroad?

No.

First of all, in many foreign countries, their economy is not growing,

which is why it's not easy to get a job.

Syeda Zaidi went to Detroit in 2021 for her MS degree.

But in July last year, she found herself in a miserable position

on the streets of Chicago.

"You even forgot your name?"

"My name is Minha."

News reports showed that she was depressed and helpless.

When her video went viral on social media,

her family requested the Ministry of External Affairs to bring her home.

And then the Indian consulate in Chicago gave her medical attention and food.

Many Indian students who have gone abroad are trying to reduce their needs.

Why? Because they are not getting jobs.

Vivek was a student in Canada where he learned cloud computing.

But then he came back to India.

Because for more than 6 months, he tried to find a job.

He didn't find a job.

So, he started working in a supermarket.

But the salary there didn't cover his food expenses.

A student from Bengaluru, Goku Shanti, who did her master's in cloud computing

550 people were waiting in line for 30 job openings outside a restaurant.

Some students couldn't even find an unpaid internship.

You can find similar stories in rural India.

For example, Charu's husband went to Australia spending 40 lakh rupees.

He gave 14 lakh rupees to an agent.

But now he's back in his village because he couldn't find a job there.

All this is happening because there's been an economic slowdown

in all these countries after COVID-19.

Companies say that because the global economy isn't doing well,

their products and services aren't in high demand.

When revenue isn't increasing, they have to reduce their costs

to make a profit.

And a good way to reduce costs is to fire people

and not hiring new people.

This isn't just the case for small startups.

It's the case for big companies too.

For example, Google fired many people from multiple teams.

This is the case for Discord,

Citi, Amazon, Twitch, Nike,

UPS, and PayPal.

Many startups are in the same situation.

In 2021, the FED, which is the central bank of the US,

kept interest rates close to 0%.

When interest rates are close to 0%, it means that taking a loan is free.

This is why companies were able to get a lot of money.

When money is so cheap, many companies overhire.

This is the case for many foreign companies.

Today, interest rates are not close to 0%, but 5.5%.

And money isn't cheap anymore.

That's why many startups are firing so that the money they have now

can last for a long time.

Many companies are getting positive signals from the market.

When they fire their employees, their stock price increases.

And it becomes easier to fire when other companies are doing the same.

That's why every company is following the trend.

That's why Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford professor,

calls this a copycat behavior.

If every company is firing, why shouldn't I?

I gave you examples of the American economy.

But what's happening in the US is happening in Canada and the UK.

Where the economic growth of Western countries has stopped,

India is being called the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

In countries like the US, the problem is that not only is the job market bad,

but inflation is also high.

That's why many Indian students are trying to save money on basic things.

For the past few weeks, even if inflation is decreasing,

it doesn't mean that the cost of living has improved.

In areas like the Bay Area and New York, even if you get high salaries,

the rental prices for a one-bedroom can be $2000-5000 per month.

After 30-40% state and national tax, what's left for people in savings?

"What did you save ultimately?"

"About $2500-3000."

"We keep hearing that someone bagged a high-income job..."

"Don't get misled."

"You can live a better life with half the salary

if you are in a more affordable place."

That's why many students have to work part-time to cover their expenses.

After entering the job market, many students realize that

the degree they got from their college has no value.

Like in the UK,

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that many UK universities

are giving useless degrees.

Tripti Maheshwari, who runs a job search portal

for international students in the UK, says that

UK universities sell many dreams to Indian students about employability.

But many of these dreams don't come true.

This is the same story in Canada.

Shrey, who did an MSc in Business Management from the UK in

Sports Management, said that he didn't get a job in the UK.

He said that the main reason for this is the college from where he got his degree.

Many students who go abroad realize that their college is actually

a tier-2, tier-3 college whose degree has no value in the job market.

Canada has a similar situation.

Even if you get a job, another struggle starts.

Visa Struggle

A friend of mine said that in California, there's no need to look for an Indian.

Just close your eyes and listen to who's talking about the H-1B visa.

The person who's talking about that visa is an Indian.

In America, students can work for a year after graduation on an OPT visa.

If your degree is in the STEM field

--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math,

then you can get an extension of two years.

But those who didn't have a STEM degree, don't get this extension.

Most Indian students do have a STEM degree.

This means that they don't have a visa problem for at least 3 years.

And after that, the fight for H1B starts.

Which is no less than the fight for IIT-JEE.

H1B visa has a fixed number of 85,000 slots.

This means that every year 85,000 people get a visa.

But 3.5 lakh people apply for it.

This is done through a lottery system.

And those who don't win the lottery, have to leave America and go back.

And where there is an opportunity, scam businesses also start.

One scam business that has started is that if you want an H1B visa,

instead of one company, you can go to 3-4 fake companies

who will apply for an H1B visa for you.

So that your chances of winning the lottery increases.

What if you get a rejection from one company's visa?

There are 4-5 other companies.

This is just one type of visa scam.

Last year, Portland State University, an American university,

whose name you might not have even heard of,

received an international application from 46 Indian and Bangladeshi students.

The staff there was shocked to see how they were getting so

many applications from India and Bangladesh.

This application wasn't from those students.

It was a scam.

It's so difficult to get a visa appointment in India,

that you have to wait for a year.

So now, a company has started in India,

which submits fake student applications.

And then uses those applications for an appointment for an American visa.

When these companies get a visa appointment

from an American embassy based on a fake student application,

they sell this appointment to another student,

a student who is more desperate for a visa appointment.

Imagine, someone in India is earning money by selling

US embassy visa appointment slots.

This is the same situation in Australia and Canada.

After H1B visa, the next stage is the green card.

This is equivalent to permanent residence in the US.

But the wait time for an Indian citizen is more than 100 years.

So more than 4 lakh Indians will die before their green card arrives.

Those who don't even have such problems,

have to deal with social anxiety and loneliness.

"If you're someone who can't fit in, you'll feel like an outsider."

"And because of that, you'll feel very lonely."

"This has happened to a lot of people."

"People have gone through depression

and they feel like they want to go back."

Arun Patrick, who went to the UK in October 2020,

said that he feels lonely a lot of times.

He says that living in the UK is like living in a box.

You wake up, go to university, do a part-time job,

and then come back home.

The way many of us grew up in India,

is very different from the American or UK culture.

This is why many Indian students feel very homesick and lonely.

"There's a lot of loneliness here."

"Most of the students work here."

"They don't have time to sit and interact with each other."

According to a study, homesickness is more common in Indian students

than in other students.

Because our culture is such.

There's a social interdependence in our families.

This is not seen in the US or UK culture.

The recent violent incidents have shown that

there is no guarantee of safety in those countries.

Many American cities, be it New York or San Francisco,

are facing major drug abuse and homelessness, which often leads to crime.

Syed Mazhar Ali, a student at Indiana University,

was brutally beaten up in Chicago.

Varun Raj Pusha, another student,

was killed by an American man in the gym.

Because the American man felt "threatened".

Varun didn't do anything, but the American man felt threatened.

This is why many Indian students want to come back.

They've realized that in other countries,

even if life is easier outside the home,

the life inside the home is better in India.

Many people have luxuries like household help or a driver.

But we need to realize that this isn't true for every Indian.

This story is mostly for India 1.

People who are privileged and have access to such resources.

India 1 or rich people, their market is booming.

Last year, Apple sold almost 10 million iPhones.

Mercedes, a luxury car company, has recorded huge sales.

This is why many American companies want to come to India

instead of China.

Many Indians are optimistic about their future.

And this optimism is like a drug.

If you have positive and optimistic people around you,

it gives you positive energy.

And this optimism is missing in many American and European countries.

But this can't apply to everyone.

Many students who have been admitted to top colleges abroad

and have received good packages, are happy there.

Many students have also hoped that

the global economy is not doing well now, but it will change in time.

Every person has their own happiness equation.

This equation has many different variables.

The importance of each variable is different for each person.

The mistake we make is that we believe that

everyone should have the same happiness equation.

If I'm happy at work, everyone should work.

If I'm happy with marriage, everyone should get married.

If I'm happy in India, everyone should live in India.

But that's not true.

Everyone has their own equation and variables.

This is why it's good to realize that

everyone's decisions can be different.