Key Takeaways
- Strategic career choice: Working for an American startup while in India helped maintain work-life balance
- Masters reality check: Don't believe the glamorous social media posts - it's hard work
- Independence matters: Living away from home teaches valuable life skills
- Global mobility: Career paths don't have to be linear - US to India to Paris is possible
- Work culture awareness: Choose employers carefully based on your lifestyle priorities
The Journey to the US: Masters at Syracuse
Puja moved to the US in 2013 for her Masters in Information Management at Syracuse University in upstate New York:
"The reason why I wanted to move to the US was as simple as I always wanted to pursue a master's degree. The best master's degrees are usually in the US. At that point of time, it was always like you're going to get a secure career."
The Reality of Masters Life
Puja offers a reality check for those considering studying abroad:
"It looks very glamorous in people's stories - do not believe it. People are just going to be sharing the best parts on social media. That is not how it is. You're suddenly going from a very comfortable life back home to a complete unknown where you're doing everything by yourself."
Masters Experience Reality
- No domestic help - you do everything yourself
- University town, not a glamorous city
- On a budget with student jobs
- Great learning and exposure opportunities
- Freedom to choose your own courses and path
The Value of Independence
Despite the challenges, Puja sees immense value in the experience:
"I would say everyone, even if you're staying in India, stay out of home for a bit. Learn how to stay independent before even you get married because that's a completely different experience."
Key learnings from living independently:
- ✓ Learning to cook and manage a household
- ✓ Making friends from diverse backgrounds
- ✓ Career direction clarity through exposure
- ✓ Self-reliance and problem-solving skills
7 Years in the US: Building a Career
After completing her Masters, Puja spent 7 years in the US building her career before deciding to move back to India with her husband.
US Career Journey
- Education: Masters in Information Management, Syracuse University
- Duration: 7 years total in the US
- Experience: Built career in information management field
- Decision: Moved back to India as a family
The Smart Move: Working for American Company in India
When moving to India, Puja made a strategic career decision:
"In terms of work culture, because I was working for an American startup, I was pretty smart that way too. I made sure that I'm not working for an Indian company only because I still wanted to stick to at least having a bit of work-life balance and not compromising that."
The Trade-offs
Working for a US company while in India came with its own adjustments:
"So, it wasn't a problem. The hours were a bit messed up because I had to work a bit with the American customers as well."
✅ Benefits
- Better work-life balance
- US work culture standards
- No compromise on lifestyle
⚠️ Trade-offs
- Odd working hours
- Coordination with US time zones
- Customer calls at unusual times
3 Years in India: The Experience
The family spent 3 years living in India, experiencing both the pros and cons of the return:
What Worked Well
- ✓ Family proximity and support
- ✓ Lower cost of living
- ✓ Cultural connection
- ✓ Work-life balance (with right employer)
Challenges Faced
- Adjusting to different work cultures
- Time zone challenges with US clients
- Infrastructure differences
The Next Chapter: Paris
After 3 years in India, the family has now moved to Paris, demonstrating that career paths don't have to be linear:
Global Mobility Journey
India (Origin)
Undergraduate education and early life
US (7 Years)
Masters at Syracuse + Career building
India (3 Years)
Return with family, remote work for US company
Paris (Current)
New chapter in Europe
Advice for Those Considering the Move
For Students Going Abroad
- Don't believe the glamorous social media posts
- Be prepared to do everything yourself
- Value the learning experience beyond academics
- Use the opportunity to become truly independent
For Those Returning to India
- Consider working for international companies to maintain work-life balance
- Be strategic about employer choice based on your priorities
- Accept that time zone challenges may come with remote work
- Keep options open - your path doesn't have to be permanent
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you maintain work-life balance while working in India?
A: Yes, but employer choice matters significantly. Working for American or international companies can help maintain better work-life balance compared to some Indian companies. However, you may need to adjust to different time zones for client calls.
Q: Is doing a Masters in the US worth it?
A: It provides excellent exposure, career direction, and independence skills. However, don't expect it to be glamorous - it's hard work, budget living, and doing everything yourself. The learning experience extends far beyond academics.
Q: Should I work for an Indian or international company when returning?
A: It depends on your priorities. If work-life balance is important, international companies often offer better policies. However, Indian companies may offer other benefits like local networking and growth opportunities.
Q: Is returning to India a permanent decision?
A: Not necessarily. As this story shows, you can live in India for a few years and then move elsewhere. Global mobility is increasingly common, and career paths don't have to be linear.