Over the past few years, I have met many Indian students in the UK who are on post-study work visas. It is always nice to meet fellow Indians abroad, but these conversations often leave me with mixed feelings. Alongside the excitement and ambition that brought these students here, I also see anxiety about the future.
Of course, not every Indian student wants to settle abroad. But there is a significant number who desperately want to stay abroad. They’re afraid their dreams won’t materialise.I have noticed that students from wealthier backgrounds are often less anxious about returning. A comfortable life awaits them in India: strong networks, family businesses, financial security, and attractive career opportunities. Going back does not feel like failure because they know they have options. Often, there are ways for them to return to the UK if they wish.
That’s not the situation for many middle-class students. For them, studying abroad is rarely just about getting a degree. It is often tied to the hope of building a different future, a key part of which is better career opportunities. Some of them spend a lifetime of family savings. Parents sell land, empty savings accounts, and take loans in the hope that their children will get the opportunities they never did. Sometimes, the journey to the UK is simply about having more independence and freedom over their choices.In each case, students are chasing much more than a job or a visa.What drives the fear
