4 ms·

You are assuming that I am a US citizen, but I am not. I was once an immigrant too, lived in California for 6 years and ironically wasn't able to get an immigra

You are assuming that I am a US citizen, but I am not. I was once an immigrant too, lived in California for 6 years and ironically wasn't able to get an immigrant visa, because while on J1 visa I was sponsored by US State Department. I had to apply for an immigrant visa in Canada and was just one point short. So I returned to my home country. I was bummed too, my life was totally turned upside down. That was 20 years ago. So I feel you. BUT I am happy my life turned out the way it did. I am 40+ years old. I own my own home. I have zero debt. I have family and two kids. My medical expenses are next to zero (whatever they take out in my taxes). American political leaders, including presidents turned out to be more batshit crazy than the mediocre idiots that are running my home country (and less corrupt, too). So NOT getting a green card was the best thing that happened to me. It turns out that American dream is more dream that American for many people, and living in Eastern Europe is quite good. Sorry for sharing my personal story, but so that you know where I am personally coming from.

ramraj07 6y ago
I'm definitely glad it worked out for you, I hope you do agree you wasted a lot of time as well though. I spent a decade doing things in the US and am stuck knowing more about how the system works in the US than how it does in India. All my twenties have been wasted a bit because of this. And India is not the greatest of places to deal with either, though at this point it's up in the air which ones worse! Perhaps that's the state of the entire world as well. For what it's worth though, in spite of the inequality, healthcare, partisan politics and things, I will much rather still work in the US - it's a more exciting place to be than anywhere else I have ever been
- JackPoach 6y ago
  I do, but I am always careful to distinguish my personal situation with the bigger picture. And you kind of have to train yourself to do this. Also, I don't feel that I wasted a single day while living in US. Or, actually wasted a single day I lived in Turkmenistan (lived there for three years as well). Those were totally different experiences, but immensely valuable to me. Either way, I hope your life, personal and professional, turns out to be good whereever you end up living.

ramraj07 6y ago

I'm definitely glad it worked out for you, I hope you do agree you wasted a lot of time as well though. I spent a decade doing things in the US and am stuck knowing more about how the system works in the US than how it does in India. All my twenties have been wasted a bit because of this. And India is not the greatest of places to deal with either, though at this point it's up in the air which ones worse! Perhaps that's the state of the entire world as well. For what it's worth though, in spite of the inequality, healthcare, partisan politics and things, I will much rather still work in the US - it's a more exciting place to be than anywhere else I have ever been

JackPoach 6y ago
I do, but I am always careful to distinguish my personal situation with the bigger picture. And you kind of have to train yourself to do this. Also, I don't feel that I wasted a single day while living in US. Or, actually wasted a single day I lived in Turkmenistan (lived there for three years as well). Those were totally different experiences, but immensely valuable to me. Either way, I hope your life, personal and professional, turns out to be good whereever you end up living.