Looking back on my time here in the United States, it’s become clear how much I would have missed out on had I stayed in India. The experience of studying abroad has been eye-opening in more ways than I could have imagined. Here are a couple of the most significant aspects that stand out:
1. Global Exposure and Diverse Perspectives
One of the most important things I’ve gained is exposure to people from all over the world. Since arriving in the U.S., I’ve had the chance to meet and interact with individuals from countries like Nepal, Vietnam, Spain, and across Europe. These conversations have taught me how diverse the world truly is. I've learned how differently people think, how they react to situations, and how they approach problem-solving.
It's fascinating to sit with friends from different cultural backgrounds and hear their unique perspectives. We may be tackling the same challenges, but the way we go about solving them is often worlds apart. That kind of exposure—seeing the world through different lenses—is something I might never have experienced if I hadn’t left India.
2. Learning Self-Discipline and Independence
Another thing I would have missed out on is learning how to manage myself and my time. Life in the U.S. has forced me to build my own structure. I wake up early, make my bed, prepare breakfast, and head to university—tasks I would’ve never done on my own back in India, where my mom took care of everything. In India, I would wake up to a ready-made breakfast in hand, and that kind of comfort doesn’t exist when you're abroad and independent.
Beyond that, moving here made me truly understand the value of money. When I was in India, I never worried about money because my dad would always provide it, no matter how much I asked for. But in the U.S., my mindset shifted drastically. Suddenly, I realized that $1 is equivalent to ₹85, and something as simple as buying a chocolate bar felt like a financial decision. That shift made me really reflect on how my dad would always emphasize, “Save money.”
I started looking for on-campus jobs, and after landing one with the help of a professor’s reference, I quickly learned how important it is to save. Now, whenever I think about spending even a single dollar, I pause and ask myself, “Do I really need this? Will my life be just fine without it?” If the answer is yes, I buy it. If not, I move on.
That’s something I might never have fully grasped if I hadn’t come to the U.S.—the sense of independence, the value of money, and the discipline to manage both time and resources wisely.
3. Learning Not to Be a People-Pleaser
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned during my time here in the U.S. is that it’s okay to stop trying to please everyone. In fact, it’s better not to. At the end of the day, the only person you really need to please is yourself. When you stop worrying about what others think and start focusing on what makes you happy, life becomes so much easier.
There’s a saying that resonates deeply with me now: “Do what brings you joy.” These are the moments you won't get back, so why waste them trying to please others? Too many people lose their happiness trying to live up to others’ expectations, when the only person they should be focused on pleasing is themselves.
In my first month here, I was caught up in the whirlwind of making new friends. I put in so much effort just to maintain those friendships—constantly reaching out, making plans, and trying to keep everything intact. But then I asked myself, Why am I doing this? Friendship shouldn’t feel like a chore. True friendship is the kind where you can go months or even years without talking, but when you reconnect, it’s as if nothing has changed. That level of understanding comes when each person in a friendship recognizes that they don’t need to constantly put in effort just to keep the connection alive. It happens naturally, and that's how you know it’s real.
4. Love Unconditionally, Without Expectations
Another key lesson I've learned since moving to the U.S. is the importance of loving unconditionally. What I mean by this is learning to let go of expectations when it comes to relationships and friendships. The moment you stop expecting things from others, you free yourself from the disappointment that comes when those expectations aren’t met.
Think about the way parents love—they don’t expect anything in return. Their love is pure and unconditional, without any demands. It’s about giving without worrying about getting something back. This has been a crucial realization for me.
In the first few months, I kept putting effort into friendships, expecting the same level of commitment from the other person. But when they didn’t reciprocate the way I hoped, it left me feeling frustrated and disappointed. That’s when I realized that too much expectation can cast a shadow over a relationship. The more I expected, the more strained the connection became.
Instead, I’ve learned to put in the amount of effort that feels right—neither too much nor too little—based on the level of the friendship. And more importantly, I’ve stopped expecting anything in return. Surprisingly, once I adopted this mindset, I noticed that my friendships grew stronger and healthier. When you give without expecting, you create a space for genuine connection, and that’s when relationships flourish naturally.
5. Know When to Let Go
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned here is understanding how long to hold on to something before it becomes too heavy. Let me explain with an example: imagine holding a small piece of paper in your hand, weighing only 1-2 grams. At first, it’s light and easy to manage. You could stretch out your arm and hold it for 15 or 20 minutes without much effort. But what happens after an hour? That same piece of paper starts to feel like it weighs a ton.
The paper didn’t change, but your ability to hold it did. The longer you hold onto it, the heavier it feels. The same principle applies to life. Situations, problems, or emotions aren’t inherently “heavy” or overwhelming. It’s how long we hold on to them that makes them feel unbearable.
This is something I’ve come to realize more and more as I navigate challenges abroad. Sometimes, we stretch things longer than they need to be stretched—whether it’s a difficult situation, a past mistake, or even an unnecessary worry. Learning to let go before things become too heavy is key to keeping life manageable. Not every problem needs to be carried endlessly. Knowing when to release it can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling free.
6. Understanding Who Is Truly Yours
The most important lesson I've learned in this journey is realizing who is truly "yours" in this big city. And the answer is... no one. There are times when I question myself—Are my goals really that big that I left everyone I love behind? But then I think again—No, they’re not. Yet, is this transition good for me? Absolutely. So, I change my mindset, and instead of feeling lost, I try to build a new family here—through my friends and, most importantly, through a deeper relationship with myself.
That’s the reason I write this blog. It's my way of making myself whole, of understanding and sharing what I feel. But in the midst of all these mixed emotions, there’s one thing that always grounds me—a small pouch my mom packed for me before I left. Inside are three framed pictures of my idols: Hanuman Dada, Saraswati Maa, and Meldi Maa, along with a tiny sculpture of Shri Ganpati Dada, and two special books—one is a small Hanuman Chalisa and the other is a copy of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, passed down to me from my grandfather.
Every morning, when I wake up, the first thing I look at is this collection. And in those moments, I remind myself: No, Pratham. Keep going. I’m not that weak to break down in this race called life—this is just the beginning. These items are my constant reminder of who I am and where I come from, keeping me connected to my roots while pushing me forward in this new world.
Now, looking back, I ask myself: Would I have gained this experience and knowledge if I had never left home?
Distance from loved ones brings its own challenges, but sometimes it's in those quiet moments of reflection that we find strength. I tried to capture that feeling in these few lines...
"दम घुटता है अपनों से दूर रहकर,
पर उनकी आँखों में गर्व देखकर साँस लौट आती है।"