From Canada to India: Amit's Journey Back After Masters and Work Experience
Amit shares his journey from being a research assistant at IIT Bombay to getting a full scholarship at University of Alberta, working in Canada for 2 years, and ultimately returning to India in 2019. He discusses the lack of skilled jobs in Canada, work culture differences, and why India offers better opportunities.
AAvinash Peddi
June 13, 2024Jun 13, 202412 minShare:
Real Return Story • Last Updated: November 30, 2025
From Canada to India: Amit's Journey Back After Masters and Work Experience
Amit's candid story of moving from IIT Bombay to University of Alberta on full scholarship, struggling with skilled job opportunities in Canada, and ultimately returning to India to build a successful IT career.
Key Takeaways
- Full scholarship at University of Alberta—but skilled jobs in Canada were scarce
- "Canada is not a country for skilled jobs"—ended up in blue-collar work despite Masters degree
- Returned to India in 2019—now thriving in Delhi IT sector for 5+ years
- Work culture myth debunked—top Indian companies offer excellent work-life balance
- Key advice: Plan 6 months ahead, target top 10 companies in your field
Amit's Background: From IIT Bombay to Canada
Amit's journey to Canada began from a strong academic foundation in India. Like many Indian students considering international education, he saw an opportunity to advance his career through higher studies abroad.
Before Canada
- Position: Research Assistant at IIT Bombay
- Background: Electronics and Communication
- Decision: Wanted to pursue higher education abroad
- Opportunity: Full scholarship at University of Alberta
"I got full scholarship at University of Alberta, so it was like ice on the cake for me—I was getting a higher degree plus I don't have to pay anything."
This pattern of pursuing higher education abroad is common among Indian professionals. However, as many NRIs who returned from other countries have discovered, the reality of working abroad often differs from expectations.
The Canada Journey
Amit arrived in Canada during the Christmas season of 2014, experiencing the initial wonder of a new country.
First Impressions
- Arrival date: December 25, 2014 (Christmas Day)
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
- Initial feeling: "Everything was white—we felt like we were in Wonderland"
- Family reaction: During video calls, family noticed "there are no people on the roads"
University Life
- Duration: Completed Masters in approximately 2.5 years
- Experience: "Everything was going in good shape"
- Challenge: No direct campus placement system
- Reality: "You have to find the job by yourself"
⚠️ The Weather Reality
The initial excitement about Canadian winters faded over time:
- First 1-2 years: "We started loving that weather"
- After 2-3 years: "We feel that oh no man, this is not the life you want to live"
- Edmonton winters are extremely cold and long
Why Skilled Jobs Are Hard to Find in Canada
Finding meaningful employment proved to be one of Amit's biggest challenges in Canada. This experience mirrors what many other NRIs returning from Canada have reported about the job market.
⚠️ The Harsh Reality of Canada's Job Market
"Canada is not a country for skilled jobs if you compare to US. Majorly you will get blue-collar jobs."
Job Search Experience
- Duration: Struggled for 2-3 months after graduation
- Background: Electronics and Communication
- Jobs found: Project coordinator roles unrelated to his field
- Companies: Kitchen cabinet company, paint company
"I was feeling that this job could be done by anyone—if I assign these tasks to a 12th grade student, he can also do that. I was never satisfied with my job."
Why Skilled Jobs Are Scarce
- Canada has less skilled people compared to US
- Most immigrants end up in labor jobs or blue-collar work
- Even graduates from top universities (University of Toronto, UBC) struggle
- 2014-15 recession made the market worse
- Opportunities in non-IT domains are particularly limited
The Survival Reality
Amit explains the practical situation:
"You have to survive, you have to stay there because everything is so expensive. So you have to take whatever you get, you have to join somewhere."
If he had found a job in his field, he would have been "more than happy"—but that wasn't the case.
Why He Returned
Multiple factors combined to make Amit's decision to return to India.
The Deciding Factors
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Career dissatisfaction | Never found skilled work matching his qualifications |
| Weather | Edmonton winters became unbearable after 2-3 years |
| Family pressure | Parents pushing him to get married |
| Father's call | "If you don't want to settle down there, come here and settle down" |
"It was just a call from my father—he said if you don't want to settle down there, come here and settle down. I was like okay, let me come. So I just planned it quickly and came back."
The Transition Back
Amit's return to India in October/November 2019 came with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Initial Plans
- Had friends in India with a startup—considered joining them in Bangalore
- Thought about starting his own venture
- COVID hit in March 2020—disrupted initial plans
- Startup idea didn't work due to sanitization concerns during pandemic
Career Pivot to IT
Amit made a strategic decision:
- Realized "money is in IT sector" in India
- Started learning new skills—SQL courses, product management
- Goal: Get into any company with an "IT tag"
- Joined a startup in Bangalore working in AR (Augmented Reality) and AI
"I always wanted to get into IT sector because I know if you are in India, if you're in IT, you can make hell lot of money after a few years."
Current Situation
- Location: Delhi (moved back after COVID)
- Sector: IT
- Status: Living in India for 5 years (as of interview)
- Satisfaction: Thriving in his career
Work Culture in India vs Canada: The Truth
Amit addresses one of the biggest misconceptions about working in India. Many NRIs worry about work-life balance when considering a return, but the reality depends heavily on company choice.
✅ Debunking the Work Culture Myth
"One thing I would like to address is some people who work abroad think that in India you have lots of work pressure, there are always bosses who sit on top of you watching you. But I'll suggest them—if they want good work culture or work-life balance, they should join the good companies, the top 10 companies in their field."
Amit's Current Work Culture
- Work hours: 8-9 hours per day
- Stress level: "Not stressful at all"
- Flexibility: Can skip meetings if not feeling well
- Monday/Friday: Minimum calls to help relax
- Heavy days: Only Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
⚠️ The Key Advice
Amit emphasizes the importance of company selection:
- Don't join random companies and then complain
- Do thorough market research on companies and sectors
- Target top companies in your field
- Work culture varies significantly between companies
"It is just a misconception in people's minds that in India work culture is very bad. It is not always—they should do proper thorough good research on work-life balance, salary, and everything when they plan to move back."
Career Opportunities in India for Returning NRIs
Amit shares his observations on how India has transformed over the years. The Digital India initiative has created massive opportunities for IT professionals.
India's Digital Transformation
- Everything on fingertips: Apps for every task
- Delivery services: Groceries in 10-15 minutes
- Transportation: Uber, Ola readily available
- Home services: Cleaning, house help easily accessible
- Payment systems: Paytm, Google Pay—India has topped in digitalization
This digital transformation has created significant opportunities for NRIs with tech backgrounds. Similar success stories include Manish's e-commerce success after returning from Canada.
Infrastructure Development
- Metros expanding to all tier-1 cities
- Highway development has been "really amazing"
- Visible progress in the past few years
The Condition for Success
"The only condition is you should be well settled here—after coming here you should earn well or you should have good savings from Canada. You cannot make a random decision of coming back, but you should have plans."
How to Plan Your Return to India from Canada
Amit shares practical advice for those considering returning to India. For a comprehensive guide on timing your return, check out the 4 key factors to decide the best time to return.
✅ Planning Your Return
- Start planning 6 months ahead if you've decided to return
- Start making LinkedIn connections while still abroad
- Research companies thoroughly—work culture varies significantly
- Target top companies in your field for better work-life balance
Don't Believe the Myths
"Do not think grass is always greener on the other side. Until you go there and feel it, you cannot imagine what you're going to see or face."
Amit notes that when he told people in Canada not to come because "there is nothing special," they didn't believe him—they thought he was trying to keep them away.
Talk to People Who've Returned
- Seek genuine feedback from those who've returned
- Amit knows 15-20 people in his circle who returned and are doing well
- Moving back is not failure—it's a choice
- Many successful people have made the same decision
⚠️ Important Warning
"If you are well settled in India, don't go. If you are earning well, don't go. Don't go at all—you will regret after a few years when you'll be struggling over there."
The Family Factor
Amit emphasizes the importance of family:
- Either take your parents abroad or come back to India
- Don't let parents grow old alone
- He's seen people post "RIP" on social media after parents pass—"Don't do this"
- If you're family-oriented, be there for your parents
"If you are a really family-oriented guy or girl, you should come back here and take care of your parents, or take them with you over there and help them out."
Financial Reality: Canada vs India
Amit provides a realistic comparison of financial aspects.
Canada Financial Reality
- High taxes: Similar to US but lower salaries
- Salary structure: Not as good as US
- Savings: End up saving very less
- Timeline to wealth: "You have to struggle for 10-15 years to become a crorepati"
"You are not becoming a crorepati over there in a year or two years. You have to struggle for at least 10 to 15 years."
Why US is Better Than Canada (If Staying Abroad)
- Better salary structure
- Better weather
- More skilled jobs available
- Canada has majorly blue-collar jobs
Key Takeaways
Summary of Amit's Journey
- Full scholarship made Canada move financially sensible
- Skilled jobs are scarce in Canada—especially non-IT
- Weather becomes unbearable after initial excitement fades
- India's IT sector offers excellent opportunities
- Work culture depends on company—target top companies
- Plan your return—don't make random decisions
- Family matters—be there for your parents
Planning Your Return from Canada?
Connect with others who've made the journey. Join our community of returnees for practical advice, job leads, and support during your transition.
Get personalized guidance for your Canada to India transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
A:
Amit states clearly: 'Canada is not a country for skilled jobs if you compare to US. Majorly you will get blue-collar jobs.' He explains that even graduates from top universities like University of Toronto or UBC struggle to find skilled work. The 2014-15 recession made the market worse. Many Indians end up in labor jobs or blue-collar work regardless of their qualifications. Combined with harsh weather that 'becomes unbearable after 2-3 years,' family considerations, and better IT opportunities in India, many NRIs are choosing to return.
A:
According to Amit: 'I always wanted to get into IT sector because I know if you are in India, if you're in IT, you can make hell lot of money after a few years.' He pivoted to IT after returning and is now thriving in Delhi. His advice: 'If they want good work culture or work-life balance, they should join the good companies, the top 10 companies in their field.' India's digitalization growth offers significant opportunities—'Everything on fingertips: apps for every task, delivery services in 10-15 minutes, UPI payments—India has topped in digitalization.'
A:
Amit's experience: 'I was feeling that this job could be done by anyone—if I assign these tasks to a 12th grade student, he can also do that. I was never satisfied with my job.' Despite his electronics and communication background from IIT Bombay and a Masters from University of Alberta, he ended up working for a kitchen cabinet company and a paint company. He explains: 'You have to survive, you have to stay there because everything is so expensive. So you have to take whatever you get, you have to join somewhere.'
A:
Amit addresses this misconception directly: 'One thing I would like to address is some people who work abroad think that in India you have lots of work pressure, there are always bosses who sit on top of you watching you. It is just a misconception in people's minds that in India work culture is very bad.' His current reality: '8-9 hours work, not stressful at all, can skip meetings if not feeling well, Mondays/Fridays have minimum calls.' The key is targeting top companies in your field.
A:
Amit recommends: 'Start planning 6 months ahead if you've decided to return. Start making LinkedIn connections while still abroad. Do thorough market research on companies and sectors before moving.' He emphasizes: 'You cannot make a random decision of coming back, but you should have plans. The only condition is you should be well settled here—after coming here you should earn well or you should have good savings from Canada.'
A:
Amit's warning: 'If you are well settled in India, don't go. If you are earning well, don't go. Don't go at all—you will regret after a few years when you'll be struggling over there.' He adds: 'Do not think grass is always greener on the other side. Until you go there and feel it, you cannot imagine what you're going to see or face.' For those already abroad, he notes: 'You are not becoming a crorepati over there in a year or two years. You have to struggle for at least 10 to 15 years.'
A:
Amit explains: 'High taxes similar to US but lower salaries. Salary structure not as good as US. End up saving very less.' He compares: 'If you compare Canada to US—US has better salary structure, better weather, more skilled jobs available. Canada has majorly blue-collar jobs.' In India, with proper planning and targeting good companies, he's found better financial growth in the IT sector over 5 years.
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