A Reddit post recently went viral for shedding light on the sharp contrast in lifestyle and opportunities between two cousins—one living in India, the other in the United Kingdom. Shared by user BubblyDamage4746 in the @r/nri community, the story resonates with many young Indians questioning whether life abroad truly offers a better future.
A Tale of Two Paths: Same Dreams, Different Realities
Both cousins, now 21, grew up in India and shared dreams of becoming engineers. But when one family moved to Wales at age 14, their journeys began to diverge. The cousin who stayed in Gujarat pursued electrical engineering after scoring 86% in her Class 12 exams, but quickly ran into the harsh realities of India’s competitive job market. She struggled to find a decent internship and recently worked 10-hour shifts for just ₹12,000 a month. Job offers in her field rarely go above ₹20,000—hardly enough to build a future on.
Meanwhile, her cousin in the UK, currently studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath, had a completely different experience. She landed two well-paid internships with standard 8-hour days and even received an offer from ISRO, which she turned down in favor of better opportunities in the UK. She’s also a member of her university’s F1 student club, which has taken her across Europe to countries like Italy, Hungary, and France.
Social Limitations and the Weight of Expectations
The Gujarat-based cousin opened up about the emotional burden she carries. From academic stress and the constant reminder of missing out on a top engineering college, to social restrictions like being discouraged from traveling alone due to safety concerns—her daily life feels stifled. “It’s not just about money,” she wrote. “It’s about freedom, exposure, and mental peace.”
A Viral Reality Check
The Reddit thread quickly filled with reactions. Some users related to the experience, others debated the systemic issues behind it, but all acknowledged one thing: the opportunity gap is real. Many commenters pointed out how market trends and access to resources shape young people’s futures drastically, depending on geography.
Notably, the post also sparked a conversation about how India’s rising sectors like IT, auto stocks, and even the bank rally might offer new hope domestically—but change is slow. For now, the post stands as a heartfelt reminder of the uneven playing field, even for those who start in the same place.