Indian Student Returns from US with Significant Education-Related Debt.

International Student Debt Crisis: A Cautionary Tale

Gunjan, a 43-year-old business consultant, has shared a harrowing account of his experience studying in the United States, which has left him with $40,000 in education debt and no stable job.

Background Gunjan's decision to move to the US was motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the loss of his job in India. Despite having 10 years of experience in business consulting, he struggled to secure stable employment. The long period without work pushed him to consider upgrading his qualifications, leading him to pursue a degree in the United States.

Education and Post-Graduation Experience Gunjan joined a university on the US East Coast and graduated with a 3.9 GPA. However, he faced significant challenges in finding a job, applying to over 10,000 companies across different sectors. Despite receiving only 7-8 interviews and 4 final rounds, he was unable to secure a stable job. He eventually lost his job with a company due to concerns about his international student status.

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Financial Struggles As months passed without stable work, Gunjan had to take up odd jobs to manage his expenses, including working as an umpire for local cricket matches and accepting temporary work. The financial pressure began to affect his health and well-being, leading to burnout. He is now dependent on his mother for financial support at the age of 43, a situation he never expected to be in.

Lessons Learned Gunjan believes that age may have been a contributing factor to his struggles, as he often found himself competing with younger candidates for entry-level roles. He has learned the importance of managing finances carefully while studying abroad and advises others to work more during their studies to reduce debt.

Conclusion Gunjan's story highlights the challenges faced by some international students who pursue expensive degrees abroad, including large education loans and uncertain job prospects. His experience serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the need for careful financial planning and consideration of the potential risks involved in studying overseas.