Organizing an educational loan to chase the American dream may seem to be a calculated risk – but for many Indian students, it becomes a bet with high personal and financial issues. The rise in tuition fees, ruthless interest rates and a hard labor market can transform this dream into a period of debt, stress and prolonged isolation.
A brutally honest, now viral reddit article crosses optimism often sold with education abroad. It is a gross and first-hand account of an Indian student in the United States, who says it like that: do not come here unless you are fully ready to resist the storm.
In a Viral Reddit position advising Indian students who plan to study in the United States, a student holding a master’s degree in science offered an unseat report from what it is to pursue higher education abroad with the help of a loan.
“My Indian perspective is not to take a loan and come here because you will dry you soon if you find nothing solid,” started the post. “I see a lot of people who get a job, but I see much more without right now.”
The student does not have sugar costs or risks, warning that $ 30 / hour is not enough to live comfortably when taking rent into account, insurance, grocery store and other essential elements. “There are people who have made illegitimate jobs because they were exhausted and that few were taken and have been terminated,” wrote the user, referring to cases where violations of the visas have led to deportations.
Housing conditions during studies have been described as cramped and costly. “If you are in the bay, a shared room is shared by 3 people where each one pays $ 600 excluding uses when they study,” said the post. Internships and employment opportunities, added the user, are delivered with a bureaucratic labyrinth and skepticism on the part of employers who are unwilling to sponsor the visas. “You will see many jobs that you adapt perfect to say that they do not sponsor and that you do not apply.”
Professional exhaustion is real, underlined the position, in particular with the new H-1B costs which increase to $ 2,500. “Companies don’t try much.”
Mental health challenges have also been highly implemented. “I literally live the pay check per salary because I took a huge loan with an interest of 12 / year … There are many lonely days. If you fall sick, you have no one to take care of yourself … Therapists invoice here 100-200 + $ / h, the insurance will not cover. ”
Despite the request for 500 internships, the user said he only landed two interviews. “I code and social better than experienced people who have entered Meta, Tesla, Amazon with references … Some of them cheat,” they wrote, saying that companies sometimes rest roles to manipulate visa quotas.
The post evoked subtle and manifest racism, both residents and other Indians. “People think that the Indians are cheap, which is a bit true because all the reasons above … You would also face more racism from other Indians too.”
However, the user has recognized moments of kindness and community: “You get free things on the road … Many events give you free food … Temples, churches and Gurudwaras give you free food.
“Yes if you can endure all of this. Come on board. Cracks,” concluded the position.
Other users have echoed the feeling. One of them wrote: “It is difficult to save money here … If you came ten years ago, it was worth it, but will not recommend it now.”
Not everyone agreed with the dark tone. “Why everyone here thinks that all students do CS … Us is the only place, which has most of the opportunities,” a user.
Another added: “Civil companies actively hire … I agree that ultimately, everyone should go back to India unless they marry someone there.”