U.S. Residency Consideration for a 40-year-old Indian: Netizens Provide Counterpoints for Raising Children There
In the digital age, an Indian man's dilemma about moving his family to the United States for better educational opportunities for his children has sparked a lively discussion on social media. The family, currently residing in India, consists of the man, a homemaker wife, and two children in Class 9 and Class 7.
The man's concern revolves around the potential emotional and cultural upheaval the relocation might cause for his children. He is well aware that moving to an unfamiliar place at this stage might lead to loneliness and emotional challenges for the family.
The educational transition and social adjustment are significant factors. Children, particularly those in 7th and 9th grades, have typically established strong friendships and are familiar with the Indian curriculum and exam systems. The US education system, however, differs significantly. High school admissions and university entry rely on SATs, essays, and Letters of Recommendation (LoRs), rather than Indian-style board exams.
Success in the new environment is not guaranteed, with some schools having buddy systems and student groups to help. However, success often involves a degree of luck[1][2]. The man is also concerned about the potential visa limbo for his children, given the increasing complexity and restrictiveness of international student visas[2][3][4].
Financially, the man is stable in India, owning his home and having no loans. He has been offered an internal company transfer to Dallas, Texas on an L1A visa with a pathway to an EB1 Green Card and a $150,000 salary package. Despite the attractive financial offer, the decision is not just financial; emotional well-being and social capital loss must be weighed carefully.
Some netizens advise considering the risk of moving the family to the United States, citing potential disruption of children's friendships and social circles. The rejection of an F1 visa applicant due to 221(g) is also highlighted as a reason for caution[5].
An alternative strategy some suggest is to keep children in India for schooling and consider studying abroad at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. This approach allows children to complete standardized exams and schooling in known ecosystems while leveraging US opportunities later in education[2].
In conclusion, the decision to relocate to the US during children’s formative middle and high school years involves complex academic, legal, emotional, and social challenges. Families must carefully assess children's adaptability to a new educational system and culture, navigate increasingly restrictive visa policies, and weigh the disruption against the potential long-term educational benefits[1][2][3][4].
[1] "How to Help Your Child Adjust to a New School." Verywell Family, 2021, www.verywellfamily.com/helping-your-child-adjust-to-a-new-school-3114697.
[2] "Relocating to the US with Children: Challenges and Opportunities." Expat Focus, 2020, www.expatfocus.com/country/usa/relocation/relocating-to-the-us-with-children.
[3] "The Impact of Visa Limbo on International Students." Inside Higher Ed, 2020, www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2020/01/06/impact-visa-limbo-international-students.
[4] "US Immigration Policy Changes and Their Impact on International Students." NAFSA, 2020, www.nafsa.org/policy-and-advocacy/resource/us-immigration-policy-changes-and-their-impact-international-students.
[5] "F1 Visa 221(g) Delays and Denials: What You Need to Know." Study in the USA, 2021, www.studyintheusa.com/f1-visa-221g-delays-and-denials.
- The man, with a stable financial situation in India, must weigh the potential emotional and cultural upheaval for his family against the educational opportunities offered by the United States, considering the significant differences between the Indian and US education systems.
- Some netizens suggest that the family consider keeping the children in India for schooling and studying abroad at a later stage, so they can complete standardized exams and schooling in known ecosystems while leveraging US opportunities later in education.
- Success in the new environment may involve a degree of luck and some schools have systems in place to help, but potential disruptions in relationships and the rejection of F1 visa applicants due to 221(g) are important considerations.
- Deciding to relocate during children’s formative middle and high school years incurs complex academic, legal, emotional, and social challenges that families must carefully assess, including the children's adaptability to a new educational system and culture, and the increasing complexity and restrictiveness of international student visas.
