INDIA: For many Indian families, the idea of sending their children abroad for higher education has long symbolised prestige, opportunity and upward mobility. Overseas degrees were often seen as tickets to global careers and a better life. In recent years, however, this dream has begun to reveal a harsher reality. As universities in Canada, Australia, Europe, the USA and the United Kingdom struggle to provide campus placements or post study job support, thousands of students find themselves burdened by debt, battling visa uncertainties and working low paying jobs to stay afloat.
The pressure to pursue international degrees is driven not only by the belief in academic superiority but also by a social perception that a foreign certification adds an elite label to one’s identity. Education consultants amplify this perception by selling attractive narratives to parents who exhaust life savings or secure expensive loans to fulfil what they believe is a guaranteed path to success. In truth, it is a path filled with uncertainty.
Also Read: From Fighter Cockpit to Orbit: Shubhanshu Shukla Inspires India’s Space Aspirations
In India, many reputed universities and institutes now provide global standard programs, industry aligned curricula and strong placement ecosystems. Yet the idea of studying in an English speaking Western country continues to overshadow reality. The emotional burden on parents and the financial burden on entire families often turn these global dreams into long term liabilities.
The rising risk of studying in Canada
Canada has been one of the most favoured destinations for Indian students because of its post study work visa pathways. But the country recently tightened visa norms and slowed down approvals due to pressure on housing, healthcare and job markets. Many students now find themselves stuck in low skill jobs unrelated to their degrees.
Rohan Singh, a student from Punjab who enrolled in a business management program in Toronto, shared his difficult experience. “I expected internships and job fairs on campus but there was nothing. I worked night shifts at a convenience store just to pay rent. My parents are still paying interest on the loan they took for my fees. I never imagined it would be this hard.”
Several Canadian provinces are overcrowded with students competing for the same part time jobs. The gap between academic expectations and the economic reality of international students has widened, leaving many rethinking their decisions.
Australia’s promise versus reality
Australia once enjoyed a reputation for offering strong employment opportunities to graduates, but the post pandemic recovery has been uneven. Students often struggle to secure jobs aligned with their qualifications, especially in fields such as IT, business administration and communications.
Shruti Nair, who moved to Melbourne for a postgraduate degree in marketing, described her struggle. “We were told the course had strong industry partnerships. After completing my degree, I applied to more than two hundred companies and barely got interview calls. I took a job at a cafe because my visa required continuous employment. I felt helpless and financially drained.”
The cost of living in Australia has risen sharply, forcing many international students to reconsider their plans or return home without completing their expected career goals.
European uncertainty and limited job options
European countries offer comparatively affordable tuition fees, but they pose additional challenges such as language barriers, limited part time opportunities and complex visa requirements. Students often find themselves academically enriched but financially strained.
An engineering student in Germany, Prathamesh Dalvi, narrated his ordeal. “Germany was marketed as a budget friendly education hub. Tuition was low but the cost of living was not. I did not know German well enough to get a part time job and internships were unpaid. I ended up taking money from home for more than two years. It was emotionally exhausting.”
Many students in Italy, France and Spain face similar difficulties. They complete degrees that look impressive on paper but struggle to secure stable work due to local hiring preferences and regional language demands.
The American dream meets tough job market realities
Studying in the USA has long been considered the ultimate global aspiration for Indian students. However, increasing tuition fees, rising living expenses and an unpredictable job market have created a challenging environment.
Vineet Rao, who pursued a master’s degree in computer science, described the unpredictable nature of job hunting. “I thought tech jobs would be easy to find, but companies reduced hiring. I spent eight months on applications while the clock on my visa kept ticking. My education was world class but the stress was unbearable. My family invested everything they had.”
Many American universities do not offer campus placements in the way Indian institutions do. Students must independently navigate career fairs, networking events and corporate job portals, often finding themselves competing with domestic applicants.
Challenges in the United Kingdom after policy changes
The UK has recently introduced immigration rule changes that created uncertainty around job prospects for international students. Although the Graduate Route allows temporary work rights, the competition for skilled jobs is high and companies often prefer applicants with existing work authorization.
A student from London, Haleema Yusuf, shared her experience. “My family paid almost forty lakh rupees for my degree. Career services only provided workshops, not real job support. I applied constantly and still struggled to convince employers to sponsor my position. It was painful to see my parents worry every month about loan repayments.”
High rental prices in cities like London, Manchester and Edinburgh add to the financial burden, making survival itself a challenge for many young students.
The Indian alternative that is often overlooked
While families chase Western degrees, India has seen remarkable progress in its education ecosystem. Premier institutes and even private universities now offer programs recognised globally. Partnerships with international bodies, industry internships and strong placement networks are becoming the norm.
Yet, societal pressure and the desire for international prestige overshadow these advancements. Parents often feel compelled to send their children abroad even when domestic options would provide equal or better outcomes at a fraction of the cost.
Financial counsellors warn that families should evaluate return on investment, career prospects, country specific risks and academic alignment before making decisions. For many, the absence of job assurance abroad is a critical factor often ignored during the excitement of admission.
Power of perception and the real burden on parents
The idea of an abroad education is not just an academic choice but a social narrative. It is viewed as a status marker in many communities. This creates an invisible force that pushes parents to take high interest loans, mortgage property or liquidate savings.
A student from New Delhi who recently returned from the UK, Neeraj Verma, expressed his regret. “People around me made it seem like studying abroad was the only path to success. My parents sold jewellery and broke fixed deposits for my degree. When I returned without a job, it broke me. I wish we had chosen a good Indian university instead.”
Such testimonies reveal a growing need for awareness. Not all international programs guarantee outcomes and not all local programs limit prospects. The decision must be based on factual assessment rather than social pressure.
A call for balanced decision making
International education can be extremely valuable when aligned with clear career goals, strong financial planning and realistic expectations. Students who secure scholarships, research positions or high demand STEM programs often benefit greatly. However, random courses selected solely for migration or social prestige can lead to heavy losses.
Parents and students must therefore approach the decision with caution. Research into job markets, visa policies, university support systems and industry demand is essential. Consulting independent career advisors rather than sales centric education agents can prevent misinformed choices.
As more students return home with debt and disappointment, the narrative is slowly shifting. India’s rising academic capability combined with global job opportunities accessible remotely means that an expensive foreign degree is no longer the only gateway to success.
The global dream is not wrong, but the blind chase of labels can be dangerous. Education must empower, not enslave families under financial strain. The time has come for Indian society to rethink its obsession with foreign degrees and recognise that true value lies in skills, not in the country on a certificate.
Also Read: The Silent Scroll: Why Some People Hide from Social Media
