Why Did Gagan Leave India for Ireland in 2019?

After 3 years working in IT in India, Gagan was deeply frustrated with the work culture and quality of life. The daily grind was taking a toll on his physical and mental health, and he knew something had to change.

Here's what pushed him to look for opportunities abroad:

• Brutal commute: 2-hour journey each way from Faridabad to Noida - that's 4 hours daily just traveling
• Poor compensation: Freshers in India were getting paid very little despite having valuable skills
• Toxic work culture: Companies judged candidates by their degrees and college names, not actual talent or skills
• Limited growth: He felt stuck in a system that didn't value merit or hard work
• Family inspiration: His sister went to the US for her PhD, which motivated him to explore international opportunities

The combination of these factors made him realize that moving abroad wasn't just about money - it was about finding a better quality of life and professional environment where his skills would be valued.

What Was Life Like in Ireland? The Good and the Challenges

Gagan spent 3 years in Ireland working in software testing, and like most international experiences, it was a mixed bag. He gained valuable professional experience and learned what true work-life balance looks like, but there were significant challenges that eventually influenced his decision to return.

The Positive Aspects

• Visa sponsorship: His employer sponsored his work visa, providing legal stability and career security
• Professional growth: He learned international work culture, professional communication, and best practices in software testing
• Work-life balance: Unlike India, there was clear separation between work and personal time - no late-night calls or weekend work
• Stable income: Regular salary with benefits and job security

The Challenges That Made Him Reconsider

• Limited food options: As a foodie, this was a major factor. Indian restaurants were expensive and didn't match home-cooked quality
• Social isolation: People were busy with their own families. Building meaningful friendships was difficult, leading to loneliness
• High cost of living: Despite a good salary, expenses were high. Rent, groceries, and daily expenses consumed most of his income
• Heavy taxation: 40% tax rate meant a significant portion of his salary went to the government
• Limited savings: After all expenses, he couldn't save as much as he had hoped, which defeated one of the main purposes of moving abroad
• Cultural adjustment: Adapting to a different culture and weather was harder than expected

The reality is that life abroad isn't always the dream it appears to be. While Ireland offered professional growth and stability, the personal sacrifices and financial reality made Gagan question whether it was worth staying long-term.

How Did Gagan Make the Decision to Return to India?

The decision to return wasn't planned - it was forced by circumstances. When his father developed a serious medical condition, Gagan realized he needed to be with his family. This is a common story among NRIs: family health emergencies often become the catalyst for return decisions.

The Trigger: Family Health Emergency

His father's medical condition required immediate attention and long-term care. Being thousands of miles away in Ireland while his family dealt with this crisis was emotionally devastating. He knew he had to return, but the question was: how do you return without destroying your career?

The Job Search Challenge: A Harsh Reality

Gagan started applying to Indian companies, confident that his 6 years of experience (3 in India + 3 in Ireland) plus international exposure would make him an attractive candidate. The reality shocked him:

• Zero interview calls: Despite applying to numerous companies, he got no responses
• Resume black hole: His applications seemed to disappear into the void
• Network gap: Being abroad for 3 years meant he had lost touch with the Indian job market and professional networks
• Salary expectations mismatch: Companies may have assumed he'd demand Ireland-level salary

This is a critical lesson for anyone planning to return: international experience doesn't automatically translate to job offers in India. You need active networking and often an internal connection to get your foot in the door.

The Solution: Internal Transfer

Fortunately, Gagan had built a strong relationship with his manager in Ireland. When he explained his family situation, his manager helped him secure an internal transfer to the company's India operations. This was the perfect solution because:

• He kept the same job, same manager, same project - just working from India
• No gap in employment or loss of career momentum
• He maintained his European company work culture and benefits
• He could work from home on UK shift timings
• He avoided the nightmare of job hunting in India's competitive market

This experience highlights why maintaining good relationships with your managers and exploring internal transfer options should be your first strategy when planning a return to India.

What Is Life Like After Returning to India?

Gagan's current life in India is exactly what he was looking for - the perfect balance between career growth and family responsibilities. By securing an internal transfer, he got the best of both worlds: European work culture with Indian cost of living.

His Current Work Setup

• ✓ Working for European company: He maintains the professional work culture and work-life balance he learned in Ireland
• ✓ Same manager, same project: No disruption to his career trajectory or learning curve
• ✓ Work from home: He works on UK shift timings, which means he has his mornings free for family time
• ✓ No commute stress: Remember that 4-hour daily commute from Faridabad to Noida? Gone. He now works from the comfort of his home
• ✓ Better savings: With lower cost of living in India and no rent (family owns the house), he saves more than he did in Ireland

Personal Life Benefits

• ✓ Supporting family: He's present for his father's medical care and can help with daily needs
• ✓ Homemade food daily: No more expensive restaurant meals or cooking alone - he gets authentic home-cooked Indian food
• ✓ Social connections: Reconnected with friends and family, ending the social isolation he felt in Ireland
• ✓ Cultural comfort: Living in familiar surroundings with people who speak his language and share his values
• ✓ Financial freedom: As he mentioned, "If you have own house in India and don't pay rent, even ₹1 lakh/month salary - you can live like a king"

This is the ideal return scenario: maintaining career quality while improving personal life quality. Working for a European company from India gives you the professional standards of the West with the cost advantages and family proximity of India.

Key Advice for Students and Professionals Planning International Moves

For Students: Should You Go Abroad?

Gagan's advice is clear: Definitely go abroad at least once in your life. Here's why international experience is valuable:

• Learn independence: Living alone in a foreign country teaches you self-reliance and problem-solving skills you can't learn at home
• Financial management: When you're managing rent, bills, groceries, and savings in a foreign currency, you learn real financial discipline
• Different perspectives: Exposure to different work cultures, social norms, and ways of thinking broadens your worldview
• Professional growth: International work experience teaches you global best practices and professional standards
• Network building: You build a global professional network that can benefit your career long-term
• Personal growth: Overcoming challenges in a foreign country builds confidence and resilience

However, he also cautions: don't go abroad just for money. Go for the experience, learning, and personal growth. The money will follow if you focus on building skills and expertise.

For Professionals Planning to Return: Set Your Priorities

The most important advice Gagan offers to people considering returning to India is this: Set your priorities clearly. Family vs career vs money - decide what matters most. Don't stay in dilemma.

Here's how to think through your decision:

• Family priorities: If family health or responsibilities are your top priority, return sooner rather than later. Don't wait for the "perfect time" - it never comes
• Career priorities: If career growth is most important, explore internal transfer options first. Don't assume you'll easily get jobs in India - the market is different
• Financial priorities: Calculate your actual savings potential. High salary abroad doesn't always mean high savings. Factor in cost of living, taxes, and lifestyle expenses
• Work-life balance: Consider what quality of life means to you. Is it worth earning more if you're lonely, stressed, and away from loved ones?

Practical Steps Before Returning

• Explore internal transfer: Talk to your manager about working from India. Many companies now support remote work across countries
• Maintain Indian networks: Stay connected with former colleagues and friends in India. These connections are crucial for job opportunities
• Research visa and tax implications: Understand Indian tax residency rules and how your return will affect your finances
• Plan finances: Calculate your cost of living in India and ensure you have 6-12 months of emergency funds
• Don't burn bridges: Leave your international job on good terms. You may want to return abroad or need references later

The key lesson from Gagan's story: there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your decision should be based on your unique circumstances, priorities, and life stage. Don't let others' opinions or societal pressure dictate your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Returning to India from Ireland

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