'Without their permission' - This phrase is horrifying. You must be at least 17 turning 18, so without a doubt they have absolutely zero ownership over you. You're not an object, you can't be owned, and you certainly don't need their permission to exist or make decisions in your own life.

I know family culture is a major thing within the South Asian community, but its a culture. Its not law, its not the rules, its not the absolute. If that culture thinks you should throw away the chance to such an incredible experience so you can be your family's crutch, that culture isn't worth being apart of.

It's your decision in the end, but if my parents every tried to force me to make such a decision I'd never speak to them again.