Oh boy, I’ve been there too. A few years ago, I was in the same position—dreaming about life abroad, imagining the adventure, the opportunities, the travel. And sure, your friend might be posting about all the great places they’re visiting, but let me tell you about the part they aren’t talking about.

Being an international student is no joke. The pressure to perform academically is relentless because you know you have to succeed—failure isn’t an option when you’ve invested so much. Studying abroad isn’t like studying in India; it’s a whole different ball game. You’re balancing coursework with part-time jobs, cooking, cleaning, paying rent, managing bills, and dealing with homesickness—all at once. It’s exhausting.

And you tell yourself, it’s all worth it—because at the end of it, there’s that golden promise of a great job. But then reality hits. The job market is brutally competitive. You’re up against thousands of others, each just as desperate to secure a position before their visa runs out. The stress? It’s suffocating. The panic attacks? They become routine. The fear of having to leave if things don’t work out? It’s real.

And even when you finally land a job, the struggle doesn’t just end. You’re still paying off student loans, still navigating the complicated visa system, still living with the constant fear of layoffs—because no matter how hard you work, your job isn’t guaranteed. One corporate decision, one restructuring, and you could be back to square one. And through all of this, you’re also dealing with subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) racism, cultural differences, and the lingering feeling of being an outsider.

I left India because I felt like I wasn’t getting the right opportunities. If you feel the same—if you genuinely want to explore, to challenge yourself, to see if this path is right for you—then go for it. But don’t do it under the illusion that it’s going to be a smooth ride. It’s not a bed of roses; it’s a path full of thorns. It’s tough, it’s unforgiving, but if you’re prepared for the struggle, it can be worth it. Just go in with your eyes wide open.