Synopsis: A Microsoft Engineer's 8-Year Journey Back to India
Gopi graduated from CBIT Hyderabad in 2006 and joined Microsoft, where he worked for 12 years across Hyderabad and the US. After moving to the US in 2011 on an L1 visa for better work quality and career growth, he and his wife Ashwini faced unexpected challenges: their daughter was born prematurely in 2013 and spent four months in NICU. By 2015, they had an existential crisis and decided to return. Gopi applied to ISB, deferred for a year to sort medical issues and sell their home, and finally returned to India in 2017. Today, they run their own startups in Hyderabad.
If you're considering a similar journey, understanding the common reasons families struggle after moving back to India can help you avoid costly mistakes. Gopi and Ashwini's story offers practical lessons on timing, financial planning, and the mindset needed for a successful return.
1️⃣ Background: The Microsoft Years in Hyderabad
Gopi's journey began at Microsoft Hyderabad in 2006, fresh out of CBIT. For nearly four years, he worked on what he describes as "outsourced kind of work" where "the quality of the work didn't exist." A business trip to Microsoft headquarters on a B1 visa in 2010 changed everything.
The exposure convinced him to pursue an internal transfer. Combined with family and societal pressure—"being born into a Telugu family, there's always this thing that you know why don't you want to move to the US"—he accepted an L1 visa offer in 2011. This is a common pattern among tech professionals, similar to the young family who returned after 9 years in the US.
The Move Details
- Year: 2011
- Visa Type: L1 (internal transfer)
- From: Microsoft Hyderabad
- To: Microsoft Redmond (Office 365 team)
- Original Plan: Return in 3 years
His wife Ashwini was working at IBM in India at the time. When she moved to the US, she faced the common H1B spouse challenge: career interruptions. She managed to get an EAD and picked up a couple of jobs, but the instability was a constant struggle.
2️⃣ The Trigger: Health Crisis and Existential Reckoning
The plan was simple: stay three years, get a green card, maybe start a company. But in 2013, their daughter Aara was born prematurely at five and a half months. She spent four months in NICU, from August to December.
The medical complications made returning in 2014 impossible. They bought a home in Sammamish (near Redmond) in 2013 for $450K, even before bringing their daughter home from the hospital. Gopi's mindset remained unchanged: "If need be, I'm just going to sell it." This kind of health crisis is a common trigger for NRI families—similar to how Prashanti's hospitalization incident triggered her return decision.
The 2015 Existential Crisis
By 2015, when Gopi turned 30, they hit what he calls an "existential crisis." The heart was saying it was time to return. They also began questioning the US pedestal.
Key Realizations:
- Sandy Hook shooting and safety concerns
- Black Lives Matter movement (2014-15)
- Recognition that "US has its own set of problems"
- Decision to view both countries on equal footing
3️⃣ Planning & Execution: ISB, Home Sale, and the Trigger Moment
The ISB Decision
In 2015, Gopi applied to ISB (Indian School of Business) and got admitted for the 2016 intake. But they were "absolutely unprepared"—medical issues unresolved, home not sold. He deferred admission by a year, paying a small deposit, and joined in 2017.
Why ISB?
Gopi had spent 12 years at Microsoft as a software developer, "very very deep into technology." He wanted a T-shaped profile: deep technical skills plus breadth in marketing, sales, operations, and finance.
- ISB shares a compound wall with Microsoft Hyderabad
- Always dreamed of studying there
- Needed business skills beyond technology
- Wanted a one-year break to reset
- Never checked GPA, didn't sit for placements
The Home Sale: The Trigger Moment
The home sale became the trigger moment. They bought in Sammamish specifically because "home sales would take less than one or two days once it's on market." They called their realtor Rick, listed it, and it sold quickly for $600K.
Sold the Home
Listed and sold $600K home in Sammamish within days
Downsized
Moved from three-bedroom house to one-bedroom apartment
Hotel Stay
Spent final 4 days in hotel before departure
Flew to India
Arrived with 13 checked bags in 2017
4️⃣ Practical How-tos: Assets, Stocks, and Financial Decisions
Home and Real Estate
Gopi and Ashwini sold their Sammamish home for $600K in 2016-17. Their monthly mortgage was $3K-3.5K, which rental income could have covered. Looking back, Gopi wishes they'd kept it as a passive income asset managed by a property management company. Under FEMA Section 6(4) rules for returning NRIs, you can legally retain foreign property acquired during your NRI status.
The Regret: Today, that home is worth $1.2-1.3 million. "There was no point actually selling that asset and coming back. I wish I could have done that differently."
401(k) and Stock Options
Gopi left "a lot of money on the table, especially the stock options" after 12 years at Microsoft. He doesn't specify exact amounts but acknowledges it was "pretty hard" financially. Their calculation: if they could build something themselves, they'd eventually recover what they lost. If you're in a similar situation, understanding IRS 401(k) distribution rules is essential before making withdrawal decisions.
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Passive Investments and RNOR Status
Ashwini mentions they should have maintained "some passive investments which could get some recurring kind of income." For returning NRIs, understanding RNOR status tax benefits is crucial—this transitional status protects your foreign income from Indian taxation for 2-3 years after returning, giving you time to restructure investments strategically.
This represents the guests' personal experiences and perspectives. Consult a qualified CPA or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
5️⃣ Life After Return: Gains & Struggles
✅ Gains
- Family time: Grandparents nearby, baby showers, help with second child
- Kids' activities: Daughter pursues Carnatic music, violin, cubing; son attends cricket coaching at 5:30 AM
- Cultural immersion: Kids settled into Indian atmosphere, food, culture
- Entrepreneurial freedom: Both run their own startups
- Funding success: Gopi's AI company secured angel funding
⚠️ Struggles
- Startup learning curve: Took 3-4 years to understand business building
- COVID impact: Launched products in 2020, then "two years gone down the drain"
- Market challenges: "India is time rich and money poor, unlike US"
- Financial regrets: Selling the home instead of renting it out
6️⃣ Parenting & Education: Transitioning Kids
Their daughter Aara was in preschool in the US. Finding the right school in India was challenging—"we tried bunch of schools which didn't work"—but they eventually found an IB school that helped her transition.
Gopi's Advice: Move Before Age 4-5
"The sooner the better, because kids have a period where they're making friends." Aara is now deeply rooted in India with her friend circle, music, and activities. Their son, born after the return, goes to cricket coaching and spends quality time with family.
Kids' Current Activities
- Daughter Aara: Carnatic music, violin, cubing competitions, IB school
- Son: Cricket coaching at 5:30 AM, quality family time
- Both: Immersed in Indian culture, food, language
7️⃣ Career & Startup Journey: The Long Game
After ISB in 2017, Gopi dove into entrepreneurship. He never checked his GPA and didn't sit for placements—ISB was a one-year break to "understand what you want to actually do with your life and actually do it." This entrepreneurial path is similar to Prashanti's journey of creating 100+ jobs after returning to India.
The Brutal Reality
The startup journey was brutal. COVID hit just as they were launching products. They restarted in 2022 and are now in the AI space with angel funding. Ashwini is building a consumer app. India's Startup India initiative provides resources and support for entrepreneurs like Gopi.
Their 10-Year Commitment
Their mindset from day one: "Let's give it 10 years." Most people don't commit that long, but they decided "we're not going to give up on this. We have to do it until we make it work."
Key Lesson: "Every time you get a rejection, you kind of learn from it, and then you're hoping that the next one wouldn't be a rejection."
Market Insights: India vs US
India vs US Market: "India is time rich and money poor, unlike US which is time poor and money rich. It's easier sitting in India selling to the US market than sitting in India trying to sell it to the Indian market."
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8️⃣ Top 10 Lessons from Gopi and Ashwini
Spouse Alignment is Critical
"One of the most important aspects for any move to be successful is your spouse support. If that doesn't happen, it's very hard."
Don't Put US on a Pedestal
Both countries have problems. Evaluate them on equal footing based on your priorities.
Create a Trigger Moment
For them, selling the home was the point of no return. Without a trigger, plans stay plans.
Move Kids Early
Before age 4-5 if possible, so they transition more easily and don't have deep friend circles to leave behind.
Plan for 18+ Months
They had 1.5 years from ISB deferral to actual move—enough time to sort medical issues and sell the home.
Keep Passive Income Assets
Gopi regrets selling the home. Rental income could have covered the mortgage via property management.
Commit to the Long Game
They gave themselves 10 years for entrepreneurship. "Failures are the stepping stones to success" isn't just cliche.
Understand Market Dynamics
Selling to US from India is easier than selling to Indian market (time-poor vs. time-rich economies).
Embrace the "Try It" Mindset
Telling themselves "let's try it for a couple of years" eased the decision, even though they were fully committed.
Value the Little Things
Grandparent time, baby showers, festival visits, morning cricket coaching—these "priceless" moments weren't in the original plan but became the biggest gains.
Final Thoughts: What Gopi and Ashwini's Story Teaches Us
Gopi and Ashwini's story is a masterclass in intentional decision-making under uncertainty. They didn't return to India because everything was perfect—they returned because they refused to let fear, money, or societal expectations dictate their lives. The premature birth, the existential crisis at 30, the ISB deferral, the home sale—each was a test of resolve.
Eight years after arriving in the US, they finally made the move, not with all the answers, but with a commitment to figure it out. Today, they're building businesses, raising kids immersed in Indian culture, and living within driving distance of both sets of grandparents. The $600K home they sold is now worth double, and they left stock options on the table. But when Ashwini says "life is complete after experiencing so much," it's clear they're measuring wealth in cricket coaching sessions at dawn, not just dollars.
Their advice is simple: create a trigger moment, align with your spouse, and don't wait for perfect conditions. The little things—the ones you can't plan for—will be the ones that matter most.
Ready to plan your own return journey? Whether you're 8 years into your US stay or just starting to think about it, the key is to start planning now. Join our community of families who've successfully made the transition.