What to do if your parents refused to fund your education(MS/MBA) abroad?
So my sibling is about to graduate with a degree in Computer Science from a T2 college in a few months and wants to now do MS in the US because of three reasons: 1. Low levels of violence against women(Sexual Assault) [IMPORTANT!!] 2. Want to do innovative work in the US instead of working on copycat products in India 3. Ambition of living in the US long term because of free-er culture But my parents have flat out refused to fund the education or even help her with a loan due to regressive mentality (nahi jaana baahar, 2-3 saal kaam karo aur shaadi karo chup chaap) She has accepted a job offer for now and will make 14L/year. What are her options? Should she drop the idea of MS abroad?
Two options -
1. As I read, she will making 14L, save aggressively and self fund herself to MS. Places like UoCincinati or Texas univs aren’t that costly. She might able to score a diversity scholarship/waiver as well.
2. Start looking for Germany based unis. They have minimal uni fee, she just need to maintain the living expenses.
My 2 cents - Working for 2-3 years before MS will bring more clarity and increase the RoI of investments.
@ElonMast Germany is unlikley because she does not want to learn German. Plus, like they say...
"Japan is a hospital, Europe is a museum, China is a Jail" So, she definitely wants to go to the US.
@ElonMast I agree with your 2c: Working for a few years gives much greater clarity in terms of ROI.
How much should one save for that then? I want to pitch in whatever I can for her.
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samosa
Stealth
5 months ago
your reasons for working in the USA itself seems shady/shallow to me, It feels like you haven't done your research properly
@samosa I hope you have read it appropriately. It is NOT for me but for my sister. I am just asking for tips in terms for arranging funds for her education.
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Low levels of assault against women in US? I know India aint saint in this but you really need to check your facts. And recently there have been cases of targeted indian citizen killings.
@KarmaPolice Outside of the 4 big cities in this country(delhi/bangalore/mumbai and hyderabad) you can get brutally assaulted for wearing shorts or jeans and that is the reality you choose to ignore.
Yeah fine lol, live in ur delusions. I see people wearing anything they want in Bengaluru without any problems. Can’t say the same for other cities. You just go to chicago and try to exercise your amendment 1 or 2 and try to come back
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https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/India/United-States/Crime
How you can blame your own country without any proof just because you want to live a levish life.
I personally think it is a better idea to stay in India for several reasons instead of giving unnecessary glamour to going abroad.
However, if you do go abroad, I think you should take a loan or use your earnings. I have been supporting my family since I started working and wouldn’t ask them to fund it.
1. Difficulty of H1B Visa - It is given on a lottery basis and is very difficult to get.
2. Quality of education - I have several friends studying MS abroad and I am really surprised how childish the syllabus is. It’s nothing that you could not self study on your own. Therefore the value of these courses is not the skill or knowledge but the connections and opportunity they would give to you.
3. Fear of layoff - The US Economy has stabilised and is not growing as much as it used to. More and more companies are laying off to cut costs to outsource IT in other places. You will have a constant fear of layoffs and being deported.
4. Healthcare - Absolutely unaffordable. It’s the biggest cause of bankruptcy in US.
5. Debts - College education debt is a real thing and these courses are heavily overpriced. It’s a business to bring in overseas.
Now, addressing your points -
1. I don’t know if you are being serious or not. Nobody should be sexually assaulted but staying in India does not mean you would get sexually assaulted. Also, I don’t think there is zero sexual violence in US. A lot of Indian students have been getting murdered in US over the last few months.
2. Again, cannot know if you are serious in claiming only copycat work is done in India. A lot of good work is done in India. I have worked in 3 companies and in all 3, I saw work quality was similar in India and US team. It was not like Us is developing and we had to maintain it.
3. That’s your personal choice but the US is going through an upheaval at the moment. It’s very politically polarised and would depend on your comfort with the woke ideology. Both the left and right are fairly extreme.
I am of firm opinion that your parents don't owe you a dime of responsibility afyer your graduation....
@MrBlunt I understand where you are coming from. Thanks for understanding.
SeorgeGoros
Stealth
5 months ago
Looks like your sibling is leaning towards moving to the US in any way possible, not just through masters. I would rather suggest her to work for an MNC for a year or two, and ask them for a transfer to the US on an L1 visa. Easier to get a green card that way which grants her the actual freedom to do whatever she wants there.
Your parents got her this far, she should fund her dreams with her own.
I understand. I don’t know the specifics but in general young adults like you, me and your sister should understand there is only so much parents can do and should do. Depending on parents to carry your dreams shouldn’t not continue. Be Independent. In any case I wish both of you best.
BlickCait
Stealth
5 months ago
Sorry but this feels kinda privileged to me. Obviously I don’t know your parents’ financial status, but if she has graduated, she should take care of herself. If she’s really that aspirational, ask her to work her ass off, save up and get a good scholarship, get a loan and pay it off. Not like it’s the ideal way but if she really wants it that bad, she can choose to work for it instead of cribbing that parents won’t give money.
Also I agree that western countries give women more freedom. I’d choose that freedom any day (I’m a woman). But personally I know two friends who have been mugged, and a friend who couldn’t leave the house for days because there was a free shooter outside. There are always pros and cons, I hope she keeps that in mind.
Neo1
Stealth
5 months ago
She's grown up. Let her own her shit!
You say your parents have regressive mindset, but you are literally asking them money for education even after undergrad. How is that any less regressive?
Entitled much?
If she is making 14L/year, she shouldn't even ask parents about funding. Secondly, I think parents should not dictate to children what to do and what not to do once they are adult. In one line if summarise, fund yourself and go
She can try to get herself kidnapped and fund the MS from the ramson. /s
Your sister doing her MS is her wish. But expecting your parents to fund the education even after graduation is unreasonable. And none of the three reasons quoted are convincing enough to encourage this. Even sensible broad-minded parents will question the rationale behind this! This looks more like she's attracted towards the glamor of living abroad. If she still wants to go it makes sense only if she is sponsoring her studies. Parents aren't there to provide forever particularly when you have hit the age where you have to start taking care of them in return.
TrustyPith
Stealth
5 months ago
there are also options like Prodigy Finance. Please do the research if it’s a viable option or not.
afaik, parents involvement is not required for education loan, and if the student scores admit from top reputable universities any bank would gladly hand out education loan albeit high interest rate for non collateralised loan.
There's a girl on LinkedIn from jhajjar haryana, she's done ms from NYU on loan, people who've gone through the process would be glad to help with the nitty gritties.
Good Luck 🚀
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