Why is settling abroad a preferred choice for today's generation?

It isn't surprising to see parents theses days aspiring for their kids to settle abroad from the very young age. Indians are mesmerised by the west... Be it their culture, their lifestyle, the education or the employment opportunities. America and other developed countries have always been a dream land for Indians.

In Fact an individual settled abroad is considered anytime more successful than the one working in India irrespective of their company and position.

Why have Indians socially accepted settling abroad a better choice? 

A very honest answer to this question would be the quality of life. America provides its citizens a better quality of life in lesser money spent than by an Indian.

One's hard work and time is valued and respected. Citizens get value for their money and enjoy a peaceful luxurious life. Isn't that's how we all want to spent our lives...?

While US, UK is still a dream for many middle class Indians, The rich are fleeing the country in droves. The latest reports by wealth sector information consulting services reveals that as many as 61,000 millionaires have shifted base over high taxes and security concerns as well as better education opportunities for their children in last 14 years. Now we have reached a stage where almost every household has at least a member settled abroad. 

What drives Indians to leave our country and settle abroad?

The reasons are invariable and many....

1. The first and the foremost is the money factor and is the root cause for Indians moving abroad. India being one of the countries that produce highly skilled individuals when it comes to technology and innovation. However inspite of being educated and intelligent.... people miss out on right opportunities because their caliber is not recognised. People having degrees in abundance are still sitting jobless.

Whereas when it comes to countries like US and UK, they have a scarcity of highly skilled people. Being low populated countries... They value immigrants and especially Indians when it comes to their caliber and education.


2. Another very important reason is of course a high living standard. One can easily lead a good life even in lesser money most of us make in India. The transparency and well implemented system in place promises a good lifestyle and benefits for all its citizens.


3. Countries like America provides its citizens with many lucrative opportunities and packages as its the hub of multinational companies. Contrarily they have opportunities for less educated ones too.

4. Problems like unemployment, corruption and reservations are a big put off for well deserved Indians ... America certainly works as a solution for those who can afford to go abroad.

5. Many Indians move abroad as they feel safe and secure in law abiding countries, where the chances of mishappening during the day light is far lesser than in India.


6. Respect for every individual irrespective of their job and earning is another big reason that gives one a sense of freedom to pursue ones interest away from the pressures in India.

7. Not just the big factors like economy, lifestyle, job opportunities but at times the small factors like culture and peoples mindset can be the driving force for many who are looking out for a personal freedom from their Indian counterparts, family pressures and social boundaries.

The above reasons are good enough for youngsters looking for a better life to get enticed by foreign destinations like US, UK, Australia that tops the list followed by UAE and Singapore.

It's certainly a win win situation for families as well for youngsters who are settling abroad. It surely impacts the lifestyle of an Indian family who has a member earning abroad. Elderly parents whose kids are away from them can still lead a decent life
with the good monetary support that's provided from kids living abroad.

Inspite of all the pluses, I still feel it's a feeling of belongingness that is missed desperately in Indians living abroad. For any citizen to live in their own country provides a feeling of fulfilment and identity that is completely a miss as an NRI or a foreigner.


How much of talent can we afford to let go?

Aren't we losing out on some great businessmen, some great scientists, doctors, engineers and highly creative Indians who would have added to our economy and served our people instead of a foreign country?

Why can we not have an equally good education system in India?
Aren't we weakening our economy by investing our hard earned money in a foreign land ?

Moreover, Governments efforts to bring back the vast amounts of wealth accumulated abroad has been a failure. In fact the question of bringing back wealth doesn't arise when rich themselves are fleeing the country.

These are few questions and many more need to be answered before we Re- think our decisions and prefer to stay in our home land. 

Image courtesy: Google images

To send or not to send ? - Parents dilemma over boarding schools

This was just a week back, when I happened to meet one of the moms, who shared her plans of sending her only child to a boarding school.. Well my first reaction literally came out  as a shock.. like Why ?? with a big question mark.? but as we spoke further.. I kind of came to terms with the fact that it is an option people do consider for their kids...

To be honest, mere thought of not seeing my son even for a day sends shivers down my spine. I really salute those parents who have a heart to stay away from their kids..

You might judge me here, but I know one thing for sure that it's my complete responsibility to become available to my child mentally and emotionally 24/7 at least until I know he is ready for himself ... I can not hand him over to an Academy/school to take care of him.. I understand parents are not trained experts to know the best of all but they surely know the needs of their child better than anyone else. If I have an issue of any kind with my child .. I would rather seek help locally rather than sending him away to boost his confidence..

At the same time, I also admit that all parents want the best for their kid, so if at all parents are consdering sending their kids to a boarding.. There has to be some good in it....

Why do parents even consider boarding schools?
These are some of the reasons I feel justifies parents decision of sending their kids away at boarding..

If a couple is going through a rough phase, it reflects on the child's behavior, In a scenario like this boarding can be considered to avoid the child getting effected by parental fights or unpleasantness at home.

In a situation of divorced or separated parents.. rather than letting the kid stay with one parent, they might consider boarding as a healthy option again.

Boarding schools might come as a relief for Parents who are intensively involved in their professional life and careers and cant devote enough time to the child.

Also Parents who move frequently due to the nature of their jobs.. might choose boarding school as a consistent option for their kids education.

Some kids themselves come up with an idea of going to a boarding school and show keen interest, here the prerogative lies on the parents to decide for the kid but it makes the decision making easier.

Some parents might also decide on sending their child to a boarding if the child is boisterous and has disciplinary issues.. it saves parents from nagging behavior towards kid all the time.

Well in any of the above scenarios, if parents are considering boarding school for their child.. they must not rush into decision making and consider the following tips before a go ahead..

1. Do not force your decision upon your child, communicate with your child about the school, its advantages and disadvantages.. let them express how they feel about the whole idea of boarding, let them come up with questions and clear all their doubts and hesitation about staying away.

2. Visit the school along with your child, let them interact and see for themselves how they like the environment and do they see themselves as becoming a part of school.

3. At any given time, if child expresses sorrow or feels that he is being punished for their bad behavior in the past... attend to it with empathy and let the child understand how this decision will pay him in future.

4. Know your child, think for yourself if the child has the tendency to adapt to new environment. Is your child emotionally strong or needs you around for every little thing? Does the child mingles up and feels comfortable even when away from you or just cant manage without you.

5. Will the child be able to take the pressures of performing academically or succumb to the strict rules and regulations of the boarding schools.

If at all Parents consider boarding schools ... What's the right age to do so? 

Parents play a very important role in a child s life, be it at any age .. parents are the complete support system for their child and means world to them, So as soon you try and take them away from you actually you are punishing them for no fault of theirs... Still if you decide to do so in any given situation.
Primary school children should not be pushed into a boarding, they need you the most during the formative years of their childhood. However joining a boarding at secondary level is still ok. students at this level are slightly older to get accustomed to a new environment and start to learn to live on their own.

I completely agree there are many misconceptions about boarding schools which does not stand true. Here are some reasons that very strongly recommend that one should not hesitate in sending their kids to boarding schools:- 

1. Boarding schools provides with all sorts of extra curricular activities and gives great exposure to sports apart from focusing on academics. This limits our choices when we talk of kids going for regular education.

2. Most importantly kids learn to become self reliant and understand personal responsibility.

 Of course at home they have all the liberties of doing things as per their moods and wants .. Most of the kids turn a deaf ear when it comes to household chores.

3. Kids develop some real good social skills and manners in order to get along and fit themselves in the group as they have no where to hide from.
Kids at home are surrounded by distractions like TV, video games, phone ipads that it leaves no room for developing social skills.

4. Kids at boarding schools end up making some real good friends for life, as they are the support system for each other. This does not happen otherwise as kids can find friends in parents if nothing else works for them.

5. The strict rules at boarding schools focus on discipline, character enhancement, overall personality development which leads to a structured way of life.
Children at home have the liberty to break rules if at all there are any.

Just like nothing in this world comes full proof.. there are some points of concern for parents when it comes to sending kids at boarding schools:-

1. Every kid is not meant to be in  a boarding school. Many kids cant survive the constant pressures and the strict rules of the school and have hard time adjusting which can be highly stressful for the child.

2. For some kids, the separation anxiety from home and family can lead to a feeling of abandonment and cause frustration and homesickness.

3. Shy and introvert kids can feel very lonely which can lower kids self esteem and lead to depression/social isolation.

4. Kids grow up before age.. as they are exposed to various thought processes at an early age.

5. Boarding schools can be very expensive, not every one can afford it. especially the real good and famous ones can be heavy on parents pockets.

6. Kids can get addicted to bad habits like drugs, alcohol, smoking as not all schools are vigilant enough to watch kids every activity.

7. Boarding school kids have high standards set for themselves which might come as a disappointment when dealing with the real world.

8. Parents miss out on some significant years of their kids life, not knowing the details of their life away from home.

9. Even kids lack the bonding with their parents and family members and become detached as ultimately they learn how to be on their own.

10. Dealing with the opposite gender can be uncomfortable and problematic for some who doesn't opt for co-ed boarding schools.

Its always a good idea to weigh pros and cons before you decide to enroll your child for a boarding school. However once decided, here are some tips to ensure your child gets off to a good start...

1. Find out with other parents who are also considering sending their kid to the same school. They might have a company until they make new friends.
2. If your child is homesick, avoid calling him too much over the phone or visiting him often, it will make it more difficult for him.
3. Ensure your child feels safe and you as parents will always be available to him if needed.
4. Don't express your feelings in front of them, that you are going to miss him too much ..rather talk of things you plan to do once he is home.

In my personal opinion, I feel times have changed and today's parents are much aware and have become more involved in child's affairs... An healthy involvement of parents can lead to an all round development of a child even at home.