Indian Student’s Heart-Wrenching Journey: The Reality of the American Dream

Every year, many Indian students dream of moving to the United States for better jobs and living conditions. But following this “American Dream” can come with big financial burdens, as students often take loans to pay for their education.

One Reddit user, called theTechPhilosopher, shared a sad story about his experience after moving to the U.S. He took a loan of ₹40 lakh in 2022 for a master’s degree, believing it would help him find a great job. Coming from a simple background, his family saved everything they could to support his dream, with his dad running a small manufacturing business.

Everything was fine until he couldn’t find a job. He said there were many reasons, like an economic downturn, visa restrictions, and not enough internships for Indian students. He struggled to earn money, even borrowing from his parents for food. Unfortunately, things got worse when his father got very sick and their family business struggled, which harmed their finances. Feeling crushed and burdened with debt, he returned to India, jobless and heartbroken.

Now back in India, he found a job that pays ₹75,000, but he has to pay ₹66,000 each month for his loan, leaving him with just ₹9,000 for himself. His family’s business is recovering, but his father’s health is declining, leaving him emotionally exhausted. He is searching for freelance work to make more money while trying to manage his feelings and the stresses of daily life.

He reached out to the community on Reddit for help. He wrote about his qualifications, saying, “I have a master’s degree in Management Information Systems, and a degree in IT. I have 1.5 years of work experience and can work in areas like Digital Product Management, Project Management, Strategy Consulting, UI-UX Design, AI Consulting, Marketing, and Sales.”

Some Reddit users offered helpful advice and encouragement. One suggested he try to find higher-paying jobs every year. Another reminded him not to blame himself, as his skills would help him find good opportunities in the future. One user also encouraged him to take care of his mental health as he works through this tough time.