"I remained jobless throughout the age of 26."
An Indian student has opened up about their journey of studying in the UK, the struggles they faced, and their eventual return to India after career challenges and health issues.
On Reddit, the student wrote: “I completed my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from a Tier 3 college in India in 2020.
“I took my online exam in August 2020 of the last semester because my exams were getting postponed multiple times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.
“I got my result in September 2020 and was officially a graduate. I was 23 at that time.”
The uncertainty of the pandemic, combined with the absence of campus placements, took a toll on their mental health.
“My mind was very much disturbed in 2020 as unforeseen circumstances during the Covid-19 lockdown affected my mental health a lot.
“So I decided to leave India and study for a master’s in the UK as no campus placement happened, and I was not ready to work mentally in corporate at that time.”
The Indian student arrived in the UK in February 2021 to study in a quiet countryside setting.
Eventually, they adapted to the new environment and considered themselves fortunate to have escaped India’s second Covid-19 wave.
To support themselves, they took a part-time job at KFC in November 2021 while pursuing their master’s.
After completing their degree in March 2022, they secured a contract-based job in June. However, the contract ended within two months.
“I applied for jobs, and in October 2022, I got an offer from a financial services company in London.
“On the other hand, I embraced content creation in August 2022. From December 2022 onwards, I started working in a company and spent time on content creation during weekends.”
However, this led to health concerns:
“I started feeling lethargic and saw different changes in my body like weight loss. However, I ignored it and continued with my job.”
In June 2023, after completing probation, they requested visa sponsorship but were informed that sponsorship was only available for senior managers and above.
As their post-study work visa neared expiration, they started applying for sponsorship jobs. Health concerns persisted, and in September 2023, their role was made redundant.
“I survived for five months on severance pay, but due to high inflation in the UK, high cost of living, and my lethargic state, I had to return to India two months before my visa expired.”
Two months after returning to India, they were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 26.
The Indian student said: “I remained jobless throughout the age of 26. Now, I am on insulin shots and looking for jobs in India. I have appeared for some interviews, but no luck so far.”
Despite gaining experience in Salesforce, Power BI, and Excel, they struggled to secure a job.
“Few of my fresher friends got visa-sponsored jobs due to networking and referrals, which I was not even aware of after completing my studies.
“Some of my friends with mediocre skills are in the UK with visa-sponsored jobs. I applied for all possible roles, but the competition was immense.”
They noted that many employers in India were unfamiliar with the post-study work visa, leading to rejections.
“Many employers rejected my application because I required visa sponsorship in the future, and I had to hide my status.
“People advised me to impress my employer first, and they would sponsor me, but this advice failed miserably.”
Reflecting on their journey, they acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges of studying in the UK.
“Many of my friends told me that I should consider my return to India a blessing in disguise because the NHS would have delayed my diabetes diagnosis, and I might have gone into a coma.”
They now focus on upskilling and building a strong profile in India before considering returning to the UK.
The Indian student stated:
“I wanted to settle in the UK, but it failed miserably. However, India is the land of opportunities.”
While they recognise the UK’s benefits, they also highlight the difficulties.
“Yes, I know the UK has great work-life balance and clean air, but what’s the point of living there when you are struggling and have no savings?
“One should go to the UK when they have a high-paying job.”
Clarifying their stance, they said: “I am not blaming the UK. Every country has its own advantages and disadvantages, so do your own due diligence.
“I am just sharing my story and how painful it is for me right now.”
Now, they remain determined to build their career in India before considering a return abroad.
“I will only go to the UK once I develop the skills and gain experience in a niche skill set.”
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