1️⃣ How Did She Build Her Career at Google?

"Like every Indian, I went to the U.S. for my Master's — but I stayed because I thought that's what success looked like."

Nupur's journey to Silicon Valley followed the classic path many Indian professionals take. She came to the United States for her Master's degree in Industrial Engineering, secured an H-1B visa through an entry-level engineering firm, and steadily climbed the corporate ladder.

In 2007, she joined Google as a Technical Program Manager — a role that would define the next nine years of her career. She moved from Atlanta to California, immersing herself in the heart of Silicon Valley's tech culture.

What Did She Do at Google?

• Master's Degree: Industrial Engineering from a U.S. university
• First Job: Entry-level engineering firm that sponsored her H-1B visa
• Career Growth: Joined Google in 2007 as Technical Program Manager
• Key Responsibilities: Led India-focused initiatives and organized large cultural events like Google Diwali
• Location: Silicon Valley, California — the epicenter of tech innovation

Despite the prestige, perks, and professional success at one of the world's most coveted employers, Nupur began to feel something was missing. The lifestyle that looked perfect from the outside felt increasingly hollow on the inside.

2️⃣ What Triggered Her Decision to Leave the U.S.?

"America wasn't bad. It was lonely. And that's something no one talks about."

After 13 years abroad, Nupur identified what she calls an "epidemic of loneliness" among successful NRIs — a reality that rarely makes it into conversations about the American Dream.

The Hidden Cost of Success Abroad

While her career flourished at Google, her personal life began to feel increasingly empty. Weekends became repetitive. Social circles remained limited. The sense of belonging that once felt possible started to fade.

This wasn't about America being a bad place to live. It was about the fundamental isolation that comes with being an immigrant, no matter how successful you become professionally. The cultural disconnect, the lack of deep community ties, and the absence of spontaneous social connections all contributed to a growing sense of disconnection.

Why Loneliness Matters for NRI Return Decisions

As Nupur began counselling other NRIs on their return decisions, she recognized that loneliness was often the core reason people chose to return — even when they couldn't articulate it clearly at first.

Many NRIs focus on practical factors like career opportunities, cost of living, or aging parents. But underneath these rational explanations often lies a deeper emotional truth: the longing for genuine community, spontaneous friendships, and a sense of belonging that's hard to replicate as an immigrant.

According to research from the Social Security Administration, social isolation among immigrants can have significant impacts on mental health and overall well-being, making it a critical factor in return decisions.

3️⃣ How Did She Make the Return Decision?

Unlike many NRIs who spend months creating detailed spreadsheets comparing cost of living, salary differences, and quality of life metrics, Nupur's decision to return to India was fundamentally emotional rather than analytical.

"Every move doesn't need logic. Sometimes you move because staying still is no longer an option."

The Role of Gut Feeling in Major Life Decisions

Her move back was driven by intuition rather than data. She felt a deep internal shift — a recognition that continuing to stay in the U.S. would mean continuing to live a life that no longer aligned with who she wanted to be.

An internal transfer to Google India made the logistics easier, removing some of the career risk that often holds NRIs back from returning. But even without that safety net, she believes she would have made the move.

Using Return as an Opportunity to Reinvent

Rather than simply transferring her existing career to a new location, Nupur used the return as a chance to experiment with new directions:

• Writing: Began exploring creative writing and blogging more seriously
• Government Collaborations: Worked on projects that connected her tech background with public sector needs
• Consulting: Started offering strategic advice to organizations and individuals
• NRI Counselling: Developed a practice helping other NRIs navigate their own return decisions

This approach of treating return as an opportunity for reinvention, rather than just a geographic relocation, became central to how she now advises other NRIs considering the move.

4️⃣ What's Different About Working in India?

One of the biggest adjustments for returning NRIs is adapting to India's workplace culture after years in American corporate environments. Nupur offers a nuanced comparison based on her experience at Google in both countries.

U.S. Workplace Culture

• Communication Style: Empathetic, indirect, focused on positive framing
• Structure: Highly organized with clear processes and documentation
• Individualism: Strong emphasis on personal boundaries and individual achievement
• Feedback: Carefully worded, often sandwiched between positive comments
• Work-Life Balance: Respected in theory, though tech culture can blur boundaries

Indian Workplace Culture

• Communication Style: Direct, blunt, less concerned with softening criticism
• Structure: Fast-moving, sometimes chaotic, more flexible with processes
• Collectivism: Emphasis on team dynamics and relationships
• Feedback: Straightforward, can feel harsh to those used to American style
• Human Connection: Deeper personal relationships, more emotional investment

"You stop expecting the world to behave your way — and start mastering your reactions instead. That's freedom."

Nupur notes that India's directness can be emotionally tough at first, especially for NRIs who've spent years in environments where criticism is carefully cushioned. But she argues this directness is ultimately more authentic — you know where you stand, and relationships feel more real.

The key to thriving after return isn't trying to change Indian workplace culture to match American norms. It's developing the emotional resilience to handle directness without taking it personally, and learning to appreciate the deeper human connections that Indian workplaces often foster.

5️⃣ How Do You Build a Social Life After Returning?

One of the biggest misconceptions NRIs have about returning to India is that social life will automatically improve. After all, you're going back to your home country, where you speak the language and understand the culture. Surely making friends will be easier?

Nupur's experience tells a different story. Social life doesn't magically improve just because you've changed locations. In fact, building adult friendships in India requires just as much intentional effort as it did abroad — sometimes more.

Why Social Life Doesn't Automatically Improve

• Your old friends have moved on: Childhood and college friends now have their own established lives, families, and social circles
• You've changed: Years abroad have shaped your perspectives, interests, and communication style
• Adult friendships are different: Making friends as an adult requires more effort than it did in school or college
• Work isn't enough: Unlike in the U.S. where work often becomes your primary social circle, Indian workplaces may not provide the same depth of friendship

"You have to make conscious effort — attend classes, join communities, take initiative. Work won't give you lifelong friends."

How to Actively Build Your Social Circle

Nupur emphasizes that building a fulfilling social life after returning requires intentional action:

1. Join classes and workshops: Take up hobbies like photography, cooking, yoga, or art classes where you'll meet people with shared interests
2. Engage with communities: Find book clubs, running groups, volunteer organizations, or professional networks
3. Take initiative: Don't wait for others to reach out — be the one who suggests coffee, organizes gatherings, or starts conversations
4. Be patient: Deep friendships take time to develop; don't expect instant connections
5. Stay open: Be willing to befriend people from different backgrounds and age groups than your usual circle

The good news is that once you do put in this effort, the friendships you build in India often have a different quality — more spontaneous, less scheduled, and more integrated into daily life. But you have to actively plant those seeds first.

6️⃣ How Did She Transition from Tech to Creative Work?

One of the most inspiring aspects of Nupur's story is her successful transition from a structured tech career at Google to a multifaceted creative life as a writer, photographer, and consultant. This kind of career reinvention after returning to India is increasingly common among NRIs.

The Seeds of Creative Exploration

Nupur's creative journey actually began while she was still in the U.S. She started experimenting with food photography and blogging as a way to express herself outside the confines of her corporate role. These creative outlets provided a glimpse of what a different kind of life might look like.

"India gave me freedom — the permission to try, fail, and reinvent."

How India Enabled Creative Reinvention

Returning to India gave Nupur the space and permission to explore creative paths more seriously. Several factors made this possible:

• Lower cost of living: Reduced financial pressure meant she could afford to experiment with lower-paying creative work
• More flexible work culture: India's startup ecosystem and consulting opportunities allowed for portfolio careers
• Less identity tied to job title: Moving away from Silicon Valley's status-conscious culture freed her from defining herself by her corporate role
• Supportive community: Found other creative professionals and entrepreneurs who encouraged experimentation

Her Creative Career Path in India

Rather than making an abrupt switch, Nupur explored multiple creative directions:

1. Photography: Continued and deepened her food and lifestyle photography practice
2. Startup Involvement: Worked with early-stage companies on strategy and operations
3. Content Strategy: Helped organizations develop their content and communication approaches
4. Writing: Began writing seriously, eventually publishing multiple books
5. Creative Consulting: Combined her tech background with creative skills to advise clients
6. NRI Counselling: Developed a practice helping other NRIs navigate return decisions

This portfolio approach — combining multiple income streams and creative outlets — is increasingly common among returning NRIs who want more than just a traditional corporate career. India's growing creative economy and lower financial barriers make this kind of experimentation more feasible than it would be in the U.S.

7️⃣ What's Her Approach to Financial Planning?

Challenging the NRI tendency to over-save and obsess over retirement portfolios, Nupur advocates for a more balanced approach to financial planning that prioritizes living fully in the present while still being responsible about the future.

Rethinking Financial Independence

Nupur argues that financial independence is more mental than mathematical. It's about freeing yourself from fear and scarcity mindset, rather than just accumulating enough money to quit work entirely.

"Financial freedom isn't about the number in your bank account. It's about not letting money control your decisions."

Key Financial Principles for Returning NRIs

1. Stop overanalyzing portfolios: Don't let perfect be the enemy of good when it comes to investment decisions
2. Live while you earn: Don't hoard all your money for a distant future; spend on experiences and joy now
3. Recognize India's lower expense base: Your money goes further in India, enabling a fuller life with less income
4. Prioritize experiences over accumulation: Invest in travel, learning, and relationships rather than just building wealth
5. Build multiple income streams: Diversify your earning sources rather than relying on one corporate job

This philosophy is particularly relevant for NRIs considering early retirement or semi-retirement in India. The lower cost of living means you don't need as large a nest egg as you would in the U.S., and the opportunity to pursue meaningful work (even if lower-paying) becomes more feasible.

For specific guidance on financial planning when returning to India, including tax implications and investment strategies, Nupur recommends consulting with financial advisors who specialize in NRI returns.

8️⃣ What Books Has She Written for NRIs?

Nupur has authored multiple books that draw on her personal experience and her work counselling NRIs. Each book addresses different aspects of the NRI experience and the return journey.

Her Published Works

• Book 1: A work of fiction about bureaucratic India — humorous, sharp, and insightful about navigating Indian systems
• Book 2: Back Home — The Essential NRI Guide to Returning to India — a practical survival guide covering everything from logistics to emotional adjustment
• Book 3: Alone Abroad (upcoming) — focused specifically on single NRIs and the unique challenges of loneliness they face

The Philosophy Behind Her Writing

Her writing and counselling work share a common philosophy: providing clarity rather than selling a particular outcome. She doesn't try to convince people to return to India or stay abroad. Instead, she helps them see their situation more clearly so they can make the right decision for their specific circumstances.

"I don't sell the dream of returning. I sell clarity about what's right for you."

This honest, non-prescriptive approach has made her books and counselling services valuable resources for NRIs at various stages of considering a return. Whether you're just starting to think about moving back or actively planning your transition, her work provides practical guidance grounded in real experience.

9️⃣ How Does She Help NRIs Make Return Decisions?

Nupur's work as an NRI counsellor grew organically from her own return experience and the conversations she had with other NRIs who were considering similar moves. She now helps NRIs evaluate return decisions across different life stages and circumstances.

Who She Works With

• Young professionals: Early in their careers, weighing opportunities in India vs. abroad
• Mid-career professionals: Established in their fields but feeling the pull to return
• Couples divided on return: Where one partner wants to return and the other is hesitant
• Retirees planning to move back: Navigating the logistics and emotional aspects of late-life return
• Single NRIs: Facing unique challenges around loneliness and social connection

"I don't convince anyone to return. I help them see what's right for their phase of life."

Her Counselling Approach

What makes Nupur's counselling distinctive is her commitment to honesty over advocacy. She doesn't have a vested interest in whether someone returns or stays abroad. Her goal is to help people:

1. Identify their true motivations: Separate emotional drivers from practical considerations
2. Understand their life stage: Recognize that the right decision at 30 may differ from the right decision at 50
3. Ask the right questions: Focus on "$100,000 questions" (life-level decisions) rather than "$500 questions" (logistics)
4. Prepare emotionally: Build the mental resilience needed for a major life transition
5. Create a realistic plan: Develop actionable steps that account for both practical and emotional factors

This approach helps NRIs move beyond the endless pros-and-cons lists and spreadsheets to make decisions that align with their deeper values and life goals.

🔟 What Advice Does She Have for NRIs?

Drawing from her own experience and years of counselling other NRIs, Nupur offers practical wisdom for anyone considering a return to India. Her advice cuts through the noise of logistics and spreadsheets to focus on what really matters.

Core Principles for NRIs Considering Return

• Don't overplan: You can't anticipate every challenge; prepare emotionally instead of trying to control every variable
• Move for growth, not guilt: Return because you're moving toward something, not running away from guilt about aging parents or cultural obligations
• Ask $100,000 questions: Focus on life-level decisions (What kind of life do I want? What matters most to me?) rather than $500 questions (How do I ship my furniture? What about my car?)
• Accept imperfection: India will frustrate you and fascinate you in equal measure; embrace the chaos rather than fighting it
• Spend on joy: Don't hoard your life for a distant future; invest in experiences and relationships now
• Build community intentionally: Your social life won't magically improve; you need to actively cultivate friendships
• Give yourself permission to experiment: Use the return as an opportunity to try new career paths and life directions
• Trust your gut: If something inside you has shifted, that's data too — not everything needs to be justified with logic

"Returning to India isn't brave. Staying unhappy abroad is what's risky."

What Success Looks Like After Return

Nupur emphasizes that success after returning doesn't mean everything being perfect. It means:

• Living in alignment with your values, even when it's messy
• Building genuine connections and community
• Having the freedom to pursue meaningful work, even if it pays less
• Feeling like you're living your life rather than just optimizing it
• Being present in your daily life rather than always planning for the future

For more stories of successful returns and practical guidance, explore other NRI return stories on Desi Return.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions