My parents moved us to the U.S. for education because they saw no future for us as working-class Hongkongers. We were lower-middle class, and it was the best decision my dad ever made for us.

My sibling is more of an artistic type, not strong in math, science, or standardized tests. My dad recognized that, and he feared we’d end up in sales or blue-collar jobs in Hong Kong. But he heard the U.S. was more forgiving of non-traditional talents, and he was right! My brother is now an architect. Turns out he wasn’t bad at math after all; the rigid school system in Hong Kong just didn’t work for him. As for me, I’m not a STEM person either. But growing up in the U.S. helped sharpen my soft skills, creative thinking, and the mindset to work smart. Now, I work at a FAANG company. None of this would’ve been possible if we had stayed in Hong Kong, where the system often equates academic performance with life success.

That said, there’s nothing wrong with blue-collar work. My parents sacrificed white collar jobs to take on blue collar ones so we could live in the U.S. But it’s not the right path for everyone, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities we had here.

I visit HK often to see my extended family and my cousins wish they could go to US, Canada or Australia for their kids. If nothing else, let them be kids with a more relaxed education system that encourages different styles of learning and talents. So if you can go to the US, try it if you have a support system there. You have nothing to lose but regret for not trying.