As I opened the email from yet another job I applied for, I saw the three little words that I had come to dread.
Unfortunately not selected.
I didn’t know how it was possible. I have two master’s degrees and years of experience.
It made me question whether my family – including my
husband
, Nakul*, and two children under 10 – made the right decision to leave our home country, India.
For a long time, my life there was comfortable and fulfilling. My husband and I owned our home and ran a business, earning a good income.
Life felt secure, and we never imagined leaving our home country. However, the
pandemic
changed everything.
My husband’s salary was reduced during that difficult period and our business took a significant hit.
To make matters worse, both our children fell seriously ill and required hospitalization. The medical bills quickly became overwhelming.
During these difficult times, we reached out to a family member who resides in the UK. Even though the world was grappling with a major crisis, they continued to earn a steady income by working remotely. This made us reflect on our own circumstances.
Following considerable thought, and motivated by the hope for a brighter tomorrow, we came to the difficult choice of relocating overseas in pursuit of greater security. We invested our entire savings of £45,000 into this aspiration.
We approached a private
immigration
Agent, who recommended that I come initially with a student visa. This way, I could begin a one-year master’s program.
London
And afterwards, my family would be able to join me about a month later.
I initially paid £12,500 for my degree, an additional £1,000 for visa charges, and another £1,000 per person for NHS fees for every family member. We also have to consider the expenses related to airfare along with rental costs on top of these.
Saying goodbye to my loved ones was among the toughest challenges I’ve faced. My kids, accustomed to having me around every single day, were now separated from me by vast distances.
My heart was broken – yet I believed I should attempt to seek a better life.
Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, my brother-in-law greeted me. The instant I set eyes on my sister-in-law, I couldn’t hold back my emotions; I hugged her tightly and shed tears profusely.
A couple of days after that, I began my master’s program, yet those first four weeks away from my family were incredibly isolating and triggered a flood of depressive feelings.
I dedicated time to look for employment while I was pursuing my studies.
Even with my master’s degree in physics and several years of professional experience, the only job available to me was at a supermarket.
In the end, the day I had eagerly anticipated finally came. As soon as my kids spotted me, they rushed over and embraced me firmly, holding tight for what felt like many minutes.
Life quickly began to seem whole once more, yet we also started encountering fresh difficulties.
Affordable housing in London was our first big hurdle. When they first arrived the only choice we had was for them to stay with me in the house I shared with nine other people.
The four of us squeezed into a single room, which was far from ideal, and it also caused tension with some of my housemates
We tried to keep things as normal and positive as possible for our children, but to avoid conflicts, my husband and I would have to take the kids to the park or the library during the day to keep them engaged and out of the house.
My elder daughter started school not long after and seeing her settle into her new routine, even in the cramped and challenging circumstances we were living in, gave me a sense of hope that we were still moving forward.
After tireless efforts, we managed to rent a bigger home in east London and life soon settled into a new rhythm once again.
However, even though my spouse was well-qualified to instruct students in physics, he needed two years to acquire Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The holdup, which remains puzzling to us, led to significant irritation.
By September 2023, I finished my master’s degree.
I needed to secure a graduate work visa and ended up paying an additional £2,000 for every family member to stay.
We then moved to Leicester and I volunteered as an HR manager for a charity to gain experience and strengthen my CV.
Even with all my qualifications and this effort, I still received countless job rejection emails for every role I applied for.
With my husband and I struggling to find employment, we had to dip into our savings and loans to get by.
Although we believed we were progressing—even moments like when Nakul aced his driving test and we purchased a vehicle—we ultimately found ourselves retreating, as the car malfunctioned within just a few months, with the dealership declining accountability.
I understood that this couldn’t go on indefinitely, but fortunately, we started noticing some advancement toward the close of last year.
Kul’s career opportunities as an educator are improving, and I was lately presented with a part-time role of HR manager at the nonprofit where I used to volunteer.
These minor successes offer me optimism that circumstances could get better, however, I cannot genuinely claim it has been ‘worth it’ so far.
The last couple of years have been a chaotic mix of economic stress, letdowns, and adaptation to new customs.
Some day, I aspire for our endeavors to gain acknowledgment and appreciation from those who lead us. For now, we persist with the conviction that transformation and recognition will eventually arrive.
As we continue to search for our footing in this nation, I trust that our stories illuminate the true challenges of migration and encourage others to thoughtfully consider their choices prior to undertaking such an impactful transition.
The skills and qualifications that hold great value in one nation might not be equally recognized in another part of the world.
Actually, I occasionally still wonder if leaving India was the correct choice, as there we were appreciated and recognized for what we could do. Even now, my outlook on what lies ahead remains unclear.
Until then, we’ll continue chasing our dream.
*Name has been changed
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing
[email protected]
.
Share your views in the comments below.
Sign up to career’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.