Sometimes I wonder how it would be like if I was born in America or Grew up in America.

I got my masters from an American university. And I have been living in the US for almost 10 years now.

When I look at people around me. Especially children of Indian immigrants, who are the same age as me, I often wonder how it would be like I was born here in the US.

1. I could see my parents more frequently.

2. None of this visa crap.

3. If I would have studied in America, I would have ended up in a much more prestigious school for my bachelors. I would have most definitely ended up pursuing a Ph.D. instead of just a masters. I just genuinely wish I would have gone to school in the US. Schools here feel more laid back and less stressful. Also, a lot of kids of Indian immigrants I meet have Maths, CS degrees from prestigious universities like Berkeley, NYU, Columbia, UWash etc. So I genuinely think that if I was born in the US and went to school in the US, I would have studied in one of those schools.

4. I would actually have friends. People would talk to me. I would actually be able to fit into the American society. I probably wouldn't be as lonely as I am right now.

But then I think about it. My life would be amazing. But my parents would have to go through all the crap that I am going through in my life right now. The only difference is that, I can choose to return back to India. I have no family here. But if I had a kid, I wouldn't have that option.