For many Indian families, sending a child abroad to study is a dream that comes with years of planning, savings and, often, a sizeable education loan. The picture is usually one of excitement: a new country, a good university and the promise of a better career.But an Indian man living in Europe has shared a less glamorous side of that dream, saying the reality can be far more difficult for some students than it appears from India.In a video shared on Instagram, Rahul Mahajan spoke about the financial and emotional pressures he believes many Indian students face after moving overseas. According to him, students can find themselves juggling classes, part-time jobs, loan repayments and the expectations of families back home.His comments have sparked discussion online about the realities that often remain hidden behind photographs of university campuses, European holidays and seemingly perfect lives abroad.
‘They have to work all day long’
Mahajan said financial pressure is one of the biggest problems students face.The expenses start before they even leave India. Tuition, accommodation, travel and other costs can quickly add up. For families unable to fund everything themselves, education loans can make studying overseas possible.But once students arrive, the bills continue. Rent has to be paid, food has to be bought and there are daily expenses that can be difficult to avoid. For many, a part-time job becomes less of a choice and more of a necessity.“The condition of Indian students is the worst here in foreign countries and in Europe,” Mahajan said.He claimed that students who may have enjoyed comfortable lives in India sometimes end up taking up different kinds of work simply to survive financially abroad.“All day long in foreign countries, they have to work, which they would never have to do in India,” he added. His comments do not represent every Indian student’s experience. Some have strong financial backing from their families, while others find jobs that fit comfortably around their studies. But for those who depend on their own earnings, life can become a constant balancing act.A student may attend classes during the day, go straight to work and return home late, only to find assignments waiting. Over time, the routine can leave little space for rest or even the experience of enjoying life in a new country.
The pressure of working while studying
Mahajan also raised the issue of restrictions on international students’ working hours in some countries.He said students may need to earn more to cover their expenses but can be limited by the conditions of their visas.“And no matter how small the job is, such money can never be made because you only get to work 20 hours a week, and even then, you have to do all kinds of work,” he said.Working rules differ from one country to another, so the situation is not identical for everyone. Still, the concern is easy to understand.In an expensive European city, a limited number of working hours may not be enough to comfortably pay for rent and everyday living. At the same time, working can eat into the hours students need for studying.There is also the emotional side of it.Being away from home is difficult enough. Doing it while worrying about money, keeping up with university work and trying to build a future can make the experience considerably more stressful.
The education loan is always in the background
For many Indian students, the financial pressure begins long before they board the plane.An education loan can open the door to an overseas degree, but it also creates an obligation that follows the student abroad. Mahajan said students can feel constant pressure to repay the money borrowed for their education.“Loans are taken from there, and there is pressure to pay off that loan,” he said.That means students may be thinking about much more than their next exam. They are also thinking about finding a job after graduation, earning enough to support themselves and eventually paying back the loan.Then come the questions from home.When will you finish your course? When will you get a job? When will you start earning? When will the loan be repaid?These questions are often asked out of concern or curiosity. But when someone is already struggling, they can feel like another source of pressure.
The image of the ‘NRI ‘ life
Mahajan also spoke about the expectations attached to living abroad.For many families, having a child study or work overseas is a matter of pride. There is often an assumption that an NRI must be financially secure and living a comfortable life.The reality, however, can be much less certain.A student who looks “settled” from the outside may actually be worried about finding employment, maintaining their visa status or figuring out whether they can remain in the country after graduation.Mahajan said students also have to complete their studies while navigating the process of building a long-term future abroad.“On top of that, they have to complete their studies and go through the citizenship process,” he said.For those hoping to settle permanently, the uncertainty can continue for years. Will they find a job? Can they stay? Will they qualify for permanent residency? Will they be able to repay their loans?There are no easy answers.
What social media doesn’t show
The video was shared with the caption: “Many Indian students who lived a comfortable life in India end up taking on menial jobs after moving abroad.”Several users agreed with Mahajan’s observations, calling them true and relatable.At the same time, studying abroad is not a difficult experience for everyone. Many Indian students have positive experiences, find good jobs and build successful careers. For some, moving overseas genuinely changes their lives for the better.But there are also students who struggle quietly.They may work late after university, worry about money or miss their families without telling anyone. They may avoid talking about their difficulties because they don’t want their parents to worry after making such a huge investment in their future.Instead, people back home often see the photographs: the university campus, the European city, the weekend trip and the smiling selfie.What they may not see is what happens between those photographs.Studying abroad can be a wonderful opportunity, but it is not automatically a shortcut to success. Students and families need to look beyond the admission letter and understand the real costs involved, including tuition, rent, living expenses, visa conditions, work restrictions and loan repayments.The dream itself isn’t wrong. But it is worth seeing the whole picture before making such a life-changing decision.For some, the journey abroad will be everything they hoped for. For others, it may be far harder than expected.And for many, it will be a mixture of both: a chance to build a new life, but one that comes with hard work, homesickness, financial pressure and the constant challenge of making it all work.