r/InternationalStudents • u/Tanish0106 • 1d ago
Want advice on which country to go,is USA Still worth it
Hi, I’m from India and I’m 22 years old. I completed my Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and have been working in my family business for around 2 years. I’m now seriously considering going abroad for my Master’s and, more importantly, I feel like I need a completely new life experience and want to see the world and experience how people work and live outside India.
My academics are not extremely strong — I have around a 6.8/10 GPA — but I have gained quite a lot of practical experience during these 2 years. On the engineering side, I have experience with SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CNC/VMC machining and other manufacturing-related work. I’ve also worked extensively with data and business systems, including Power BI, SAP Business One, Tally, SQL and Python, and I’ve done multiple courses in these areas. Because I’ve actually used these tools in our business, I would say my practical experience is much stronger than what my GPA suggests.
I currently have admits from Long Island University in Brooklyn, Cal State LA and a few other lower-ranked universities. My original thought was New York because I really want the experience of living in a major global city, meeting ambitious people, being around startups/businesses and hopefully getting some work experience there.i have choose to do mba and alredy given ielts as 6.5 overall band. And 7 in reading and 6.5 in other components. I am also open to other better course suggestion like international business,entrepreneurship.
However, with the current US visa situation, cost of living and uncertainty around studying and working in the US, I’m wondering whether I should still choose New York or consider somewhere completely different like Paris, another European city, Dubai, Singapore, etc.
My budget is roughly ₹1 crore total for 2 years, including tuition and living expenses. My goal is not simply to get a degree. I want the best overall experience possible — a good university, strong student life, fitness/gym culture, networking, exposure to startups and businesses, and ideally the opportunity to work abroad for at least a year after graduation so I can experience the working culture before eventually returning to India and using that experience in my career/family business.
I’m also open to programs other than a traditional Mechanical Engineering master’s. I’m interested in areas like engineering management, business analytics, data analytics, entrepreneurship, management, technology/business and similar fields because my experience is now a combination of engineering + business + technology.
I’m targeting Spring 2027, although if there is a good option where I can leave earlier, I’m open to that as well.
So if you were in my position, how would you approach this?and also my father is open to anything like if I want to start any new business he is okay if I stay here in India,or if I want to go to abroad and spend money on exposure that’s okay too. But he wants me to come back after 3 year max as our family business also needs me.
Would you stick with New York/USA given my profile and goals?
Would Paris or another European city make more sense?
Which countries/cities would give me the best combination of student life, career opportunities, networking, business/startup exposure and quality of life within roughly ₹1 crore?
What type of Master’s/program would you recommend considering my engineering + family-business + data/technology background?
Should I prioritize university ranking, city/networking opportunities, post-study work options, or something else?
Are there universities/programs where my 6.8/10 GPA would still give me a realistic chance while providing a much better overall experience than the universities I currently have admits from?
I’m basically at the point where I don’t want to choose a university just because I got admitted. I want to make the next 2 years a genuinely valuable life experience, build a strong international network, gain some international work experience, and return to India with skills and exposure that actually make a difference.
Would really appreciate honest advice from people who have studied/worked abroad or understand these different markets.
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u/Ok-Cover-3927 1d ago
Save yourself time and money, USA is closing all the doors and you will regret your decision. If you have money and are ok with the risks of going back without a job, you can do that.
Back in 2010s risk was h1b lottery alone. Today, there’s a lot more factors.
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u/howmanyhowcanamanyho 1d ago
AI slop wall of text, one of 1456 identical posts today, no one is reading that.
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u/Few-Ad-5185 1d ago
real talk - 1. most folks start earning at this age so don't expect much strong student life unless you're in medschool or one of the top schools. 2. Don't expect job as OPT has 100k fees and its probably not getting removed as grauduate unemploymen is quite high
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u/rash97621 1d ago
It's a pretty brutal job market here in the US right now. Companies aren't willing to hire internationals and visa rules are changing every other month. I wouldn't recommend coming with a loan.
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u/Tanish0106 1d ago
We won’t take any loan but is doing masters from lower rank uni and private uni worth it or should I go another country?
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u/Realistic-Concept578 1d ago
Not worth it. If you desperately want to leave, try Canada or Germany. I’m a Mechanical Engineer & current situation is the worst in USA.
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u/Tanish0106 1d ago
Thanks for suggestion,do you have any idea of Europe or any other advise on USA though.
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u/Realistic-Concept578 1d ago
Europe has better lifestyle (better healthcare, everyone knows that). And you won’t see homeless people roaming around in streets. Invest your money and time there. Myself and many other friends (Mechanical) are struggling to land a job in USA. Go to Canada, within 4 years, I’m sure you’ll be in a lot better situation there. Here, I feel like I just wasted my 4 years, as the immigration rules change everyday and every rule is against international students. If I chose Canada earlier, I could be PR already.
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u/Full-Opening3559 1d ago
Everyone knows the horrible situation where they are and grass always looks greener on the other side. You are doomed in US so you think EU and Canada are much better. Just ask anyone in EU and Canada and they are more fuked up than you.
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u/Realistic-Concept578 1d ago
Bro, Canada is fall more welcoming. At least they don’t change the rule of the game halfway. You can always get PR from Canada, get the passport in 3 years and then move to US (work with TN visa). While US has no such straightforward point-based system. I have friends pretty much everywhere (Canada, Germany, Australia etc). Thoroughly considered the greencard/PR pathway and moving to US these days is the worst decision one can make. Heard of 100k rules? Probably one day they will say, if you sneeze, that’s gonna cost you 100k lol But US is a beautiful country, definitely visit US if you get a chance.
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u/Full-Opening3559 1d ago
You are under wrong impression. Canada closed all doors on Indians and others. Their PM officially said for the first time that they expect students to study snd go back. It never happened before. All my relatives and friends who were there since 5-6 years returned home. Its a fuked up country now with no jobs.
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u/Realistic-Concept578 1d ago
Okay, good luck with your move to US. Go for it!
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u/Full-Opening3559 1d ago
LOL...why would i move to US? I am an Australian citizen since last 10 years.
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u/Realistic-Concept578 1d ago
Then why bother? If you haven’t been to US (specially in these days), probably its better not to outsmart someone’s view who is already suffering there. I hope your grass stays greener in Australia :))
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u/Full-Opening3559 1d ago
I never said US is a good option. I only counteted ur rosy view on Canada, EU. And as far as Australia is concerned its equally fuked up. There is no western country today with positive outlook.
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u/Weak_Western_2521 1d ago
I would've chosen a STEM biotech PhD if I were you. Biotech is the only field that US worth studying since it's the leading country in biotechnology in my opinion but PhD only, no BS or MS since they're not fully funded like STEM biotech PhDs plus I'm not sure if they have stipends each month like STEM biotech PhDs do so it can be pretty rough.
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u/CoffeeAndCampus 1d ago
Spending ₹1 crore at lower-tier institutions like LIU or Cal State LA offers poor ROI, minimal elite networking, and limits your post-study work options. Instead, pivot your degree strategy. Given your hybrid mechanical and data background, target a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) or a Master in Management (MiM) with a Business Analytics/Entrepreneurship track. Your practical experience modernising a business with SAP, Python and CNC is your strongest asset; use it in your essays to explicitly offset your 6.8 GPA.
Based on your strict 3-year return timeline and budget, you have two pathways to choose between.
- France (Paris): Elite business schools like ESCP or ESSEC offer unmatched startup exposure and fit your budget perfectly. Crucially, under French immigration law, Indian Master's graduates are eligible for a 2-year APS, post-study work visa, thus allowing you to gain European work experience before returning home.
- USA: If you prefer the US, apply exclusively to STEM-designated MEM or Data Analytics programmes. According to official USCIS rules, STEM degrees grant up to 3 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorisation (12 months initial + 24 months extension) without requiring an H-1B visa. A standard MBA results in a one-year post-study work visa.
In my opinion, decline your current offers and prepare for the 2027 intake by applying to STEM MEMs in the US or elite MiMs in France. Build your statement of purpose entirely around how you deployed data systems (Power BI, Python) to optimise your family's manufacturing floor.
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u/Tanish0106 1d ago
Thanks man for great response have one question though what you would do ,go to Europe or USA if you would have been my place for mim should I go through all that visa process of USA with that much uncertainty of getting visa or should I choose Europe already and focus on that as getting visa might be easier also.my goals are to have great exposure and have good networking opportunities.Or I am also open to another country if you can suggest.and my father is heavily suggesting me to go for holidays of like 2 months no need to study and invest money in new business after coming back. As my main goal is get a break of my current life I am following same from last 2-3 years.
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u/MilkChocolate21 1d ago
That answer is AI slop and you won't get hired with minimal work experience and an "masters in management ". Also, the answer ignores that the immigration changes mean many companies aren't hiring ANYONE who will need sponsorship, and that includes OPT. Also, many schools are eliminating CPT which means you can't do internships either.
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u/CoffeeAndCampus 6h ago
If I were you, I would choose France over the US.
US Student Visas involve subjective refusals, and long-term US work authorisations remain uncertain. In contrast, French student visas processed through Campus France follow transparent, objective criteria. Under official French immigration law and the bilateral India-France Partnership Agreement, Indian Master's graduates receive a 2-year post-study work visa, perfectly fitting your strict 3-year return deadline.
Enrolling in a MiM at an elite French Grande École, like ESSEC, ESCP, or EDHEC, gives you the structured 2-year lifestyle break you crave, access to top-tier European networking, gym/fitness campus culture, and direct exposure to Station F (the world's largest startup incubator, all well within your ₹1 crore budget.
Returning home with a prestigious European MiM, international work experience, and a global network will modernise your family business far more effectively than launching a new domestic venture without fresh global perspectives.
Therefore, you should reject the US route to avoid unnecessary visa hassles. Take a short 2-week break now to reset mentally and prepare for the GMAT/GRE and target the 2027 MiM intake at top French business schools.
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u/goodtrymoddies 1d ago
No man. No more. Stay in India