Mission America(ns) - A view from the other side

This isn't quite the patriotic blog, if thats what u r expecting. I have had a really good time this semester in NCSU, and I am headed home for the winter break. Thats the background, now I start painting...

Friends, gadgets, family, good food, games... is that the perfect recipe for life? Okay, I'll add gf to the list, to widen the consensus. I have every one of these things back home... but I didn't realize that something else lay ahead of me in US. Guess what... YES! there is something in US which I didn't get in India... absolutely, top-notch education system. They make u slog, push u to the limit, but it works! it really works... Without any doubt, I have done a lot more work this sem than multiple sems during the bachelors. And its not butcher's work either, its really really good work. So, in hindsight, do I regret coming here? No ways... Do I have everything I want in life back home? Now... thats a tougher question to answer. I can't find a single institution (besides the IITs) which can guarantee the standards and the curriculum here.

Now thats interesting... its easy to answer the flip question... Should I have come to US? YES!... Did I have everything back home?... ummm... If I were doing a job, I guess yes... I mean, I wouldn't care for the quality of education then. But as a student, I think US presents a wonderful opportunity to study. And for that, and that alone, I think its worth making the journey.

True.. you don't have the neighbourhood theatre playing ur fav movies... you don't have dadu's chat right beside ur house to drop in for a chat every other day... you don't have ur mom to cook food everyday by the time you reach home... you don't have a home with limitless food (believe me, my house is a heaven for food, always). BUT... what you do have... are really good courses... peers who are just as good as u... wonderful facilities... and a way of life... you MAY start to like...

Normally, around this time, I set out explaining the title... so, lets keep up the tradition... when I was in hyd, I was really excited about coming to US... and so were each and every one of my friends... i am guessing pretty much everyone in my age group felt the same way...

A semester later... "u r so lucky to go back home"... "u r going home? awesome man"... "have really good food back home... and bring us back lots"... Now... this isn't a contradiction... but its surprising... but what is... "this life sucks... life back in hyd is really great man"... (btw, i love my life in hyd, and really love the work life here... if u haven't already, read between the lines)...

my point in all this... indians have been coming to US for a few decades.. shouldn't US be a known quantity by now? Shouldn't we know what to expect and what not to... Well, somethings really do stay unknowns although everyone knows about them... :) US is one such place... Its a wonderful place to come to study... and... if u ask me, thats about it...

If any of my potential employers is reading this... pls don't take this to be a testament of my english and/or views... but pls do consider placing me in India... :) cheaper for u... and happier for me...