I did my undergrad and grad school in the US and continued there with a postdoc. Adjusting back wasn’t too tough, but over time I realized that an enduring piece of me will forever reflect my American years.
I moved back to India after 11 years in the US. AMA.
r/AMA
Comments
Living abroad is such an amazing experience to give yourself. What were the best parts of moving back and what do you miss the most?
How stressful is driving in India compared to the US towbs/cities where you were?
Thank you.
What made you want to move back, and is it easy to connect with locals now that you’ve had a different experience from them for 11 years?
So you find your corner of Indian society more or less accepting of unconventional opinions than the US?
After coming back to India after 11 years, what changes do you notice between how things were back then and now?
what major differences do you feel after moving back from the USA to India?
Planning to move to India from South Africa, what are some good cities I could adjust fairly quickly with only English ( and Dutch if any speaks that)?
Did you save enough money, bring enough back?
What next for your life in India? Do you hope to marry and have a family, or are you off relationships at the moment?
How’s the food?
Thank you for going back.
How much did you expect to earn in US vs probable earnings in India? Is it worth it to lose the opportunity for much higher earnings?
++ man
How long you have been back? Did you find a suitable job or u had to accept something different from your profession? Or u joined a family bz? Were your parents still living? Do you worry about the drug resistant bacteria in Indian water systems. Do you boil water for all personal use?
How do you feel you will be accepted by Indians for your “unorthodox” choices (as compared to theirs). I am not being critical. You are the pilot of your life’s ship. That dead-inside-gaze that some men have toward “western” women is horrific. Also more traditional members of your family must have been “fun” to deal with.
How many years will your savings in USD stretch in India if you never worked a day in the rest of your life?
Nothing to ask, just hope you’re well, taking care of yourself, and connecting with friends and family. Don’t do it alone.
Will you still be able to find a good career in India with a good income?
Financially will you be worse off?
Heartbreak is easier when you don’t have to see the person again
Excuse my directness, but how did you adapt to handling the dirtiness of India after living in the west for so long?
Were you planning on getting a Green Card originally (before your fiance)?
I live in another western country and there’s quite a bit of Indians studying and hoping to later get PR.
Do you think you’ll ever move back? You’re still young and a lot of young Indians are still queuing up for opportunities overseas.
What’s the biggest cultural difference between the Indian diaspora and Indians living in India?
What do you think people in the US misunderstand about India?
How was your relationship with your fiance and why did break up ?
Why did you break up with your partner?
Do you think the more recent wide spread access to internet/social media in India is changing Indians’ perceptions of themselves and their society? For example, do they see their littering in a different light?
What should your government do to improve women’s rights in your country?
Are you male or female?
How do people know who is the local government? Or city council?
In the US or UK you have city councils and mayors for most cities or towns. If the trash is not picked up you would exactly know whom to call abs what process to follow.
Who runs major cities in India? Like do you have city council members for say Mumbai with a mayor as the Mayor of Mumbai ?
Which state did you move to?
This is a beautiful AMA. Your intelligence, acceptance shine through. I have been in US for 20+ years now, and one of the main reasons I didn’t leave was the same you noted – US is so beautiful, and should I go back I would yearn for it again.
What kind of visa did you have? Student or work visa? How hard is it to get a visa if you want to come back?
What are 3 memories of USA that you remember fondly. And ask since you did part of education here and you grow up a lot in universities
The best bathroom is no bathroom, as I always say
No questions, but most of your answers are well thought out and very apt.
Have a happy life!!
Which part of the US were you in?
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On a scale of 1-10 how overwhelming is the smell?
Are you still in academia? If so what difference did you find about academia?