Key Takeaways
- Education economics: Private school fees for 3 children in India cost less than UK would have
- Work-life balance: No domestic help in UK meant exhausting juggling of work, home, and family
- Career pivot: YouTube went from side hustle to main hustle after moving to India
- Unexpected location: Planned for Goa beach life, ended up in landlocked Madhya Pradesh
- Content opportunity: Being married to Indian and living in India helps resonate with Indian audience
The Background: Poland to UK to India
Agnes's journey spans three countries and two careers:
Agnes's Journey
- Born: Poland
- First 19 years: Poland
- Next 19 years: UK (relocated for opportunities)
- Profession: ACCA Chartered Accountant
- Passion: YouTube (nearly 500 videos posted)
- Family: Married to Indian man from Punjab, 3 children (ages 7, 10, 15)
"I always say I'm CA by profession, YouTuber by passion. YouTube has always been something that's been on the cards for a while - I just never had the courage. But eventually four years ago I took a plunge and started posting videos."
Reason 1: Education Economics
The primary driver for the move was children's education:
"The educational system in the UK - and we were not able to pay for the private education - so the main level of education is very basic. We just did not believe that our kids would take the most out of or make the most out of the educational level that they can have."
The Cost Comparison
"Here they are privately educated because the schools here, despite being private and like one of the best schools in Madhya Pradesh, the fees - the annual fee for the whole three children - is still less than what it would have been back in England."
🇬🇧 UK Reality
- Public education: Basic quality
- Private education: Unaffordable
- 3 children = Fortune in fees
- Both parents couldn't afford it
🇮🇳 India Reality
- Best private school in MP
- All 3 children enrolled
- Total fees < 1 UK child
- Quality education accessible
Reason 2: Work-Life Balance Crisis
Life in UK was exhausting:
"I was working full-time, managing the house, doing all the chores. There is no help in England - or there is but it costs a lot of money. If you do have it, it's maybe once a week for a couple of hours, someone comes and just cleans the house."
The Daily Struggle
- Full-time job as chartered accountant
- Cooking and cleaning
- Shopping and errands
- Gym and personal health
- Socializing
- All within 24 hours with 8 hours sleep needed
"It was just really really tiring and for very many years we've been doing that. My husband been running business as well. It's just been really hectic."
Reason 3: YouTube Career Opportunity
Moving to India enabled Agnes to focus on her passion:
"I wanted to have the time to focus on the YouTube channel to grow it. I really believe that being married to Indian - because I am married to Indian man from Punjab - will actually help me to resonate with Indian audience. Spending time in India here will help me to create content around foreigners' life in India."
YouTube Journey
- Started: 4 years ago as side hustle
- Videos: Nearly 500 posted
- Evolution: Made every possible beginner mistake
- Now: Main hustle, established following
- Content: Foreigners' life in India
"By now YouTube is my main hustle. So from being a side hustle it turned into main hustle when we moved to India."
The Unexpected Location: Goa Dream vs MP Reality
Life had different plans:
"We were actually going to move to Goa. Goa was the place we wanted to go because I have been to Goa before and my ideal Indian dream - living the Indian dream - was on the beach, every evening strolling around, living somewhere not too far away, walking distance ideally."
What Actually Happened
"Yet I ended up in Madhya Pradesh which is completely landlocked and no access to any water other than the swimming pools. However, I think just life throws..."
Sometimes the best-laid plans change, and adapting to unexpected circumstances is part of the journey.
Children's Adjustment
With children aged 7, 10, and 15 (at time of move: 6, 9, 14), the adjustment was a key concern:
Factors That Helped
- ✓ Quality private school available
- ✓ Father is Indian - cultural connection
- ✓ Mother's positive attitude toward India
- ✓ Family decision made together
Lessons for International Families
For Those Considering India
- Private education in India can be more affordable than public education abroad
- Work-life balance improves with domestic help availability
- Career pivots are possible with lower cost of living
- Be flexible - your ideal location may change
For Content Creators
- Living in India helps resonate with Indian audience
- Unique perspective (foreigner in India) creates content opportunities
- Lower costs allow focus on passion projects
- Consistency matters - 500 videos over 4 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can foreigners get quality education for children in India?
A: Yes, India has excellent private schools. Agnes's children attend one of the best schools in Madhya Pradesh, and the total annual fees for all three children are less than what one child's private education would cost in UK.
Q: Is it possible to build a YouTube career in India?
A: Yes, especially if you have a unique perspective. Agnes leveraged being a foreigner married to an Indian to create content about foreigners' life in India. The lower cost of living allows more time to focus on content creation.
Q: How does work-life balance compare between UK and India?
A: India offers significant advantages with affordable domestic help. In UK, Agnes had to manage full-time work, all household chores, cooking, and childcare with minimal help. In India, domestic help is accessible and affordable.
Q: Do children adjust well to moving to India from UK?
A: It depends on various factors including age, school quality, and family support. Having an Indian parent helps with cultural connection. Quality private schools provide good peer groups and educational environment.