Indian, who faced 10,000 job rejections even after top grades in US university, return to India with Rs 36 lakh debt

For countless Indians, relocating to the United States represents a chance to transform their future—earn a prestigious degree, build financial security, and eventually return home with greater career prospects. However, that dream unfolded very differently for Gunjan, a 43-year-old business consultant whose experience ended not with professional success but with exhaustion, debt, and a shattered sense of confidence.

While speaking anonymously to the Financial Express, Gunjan described his journey as far from the success story many imagine. Instead of returning with international experience and savings, he came back to India burdened with nearly $40,000 (Rs 26 lakh in Indian INR) in debt after years of relentless struggle. What began as a hopeful attempt to rebuild his career gradually turned into an emotionally and financially draining ordeal.

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A Career Disruption During the Pandemic

Gunjan’s decision to pursue studies abroad was shaped largely by the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During that turbulent period, he lost his job in India and spent several months trying to secure another position. Despite having nearly a decade of experience in business consulting, opportunities were scarce and the prolonged unemployment began to affect both his confidence and financial stability.


With limited prospects in the job market, he decided to focus on upgrading his professional skills. He enrolled in a course to strengthen his qualifications, hoping it would open new doors. Around this time, the idea of studying in the United States began to appear increasingly attractive. The prospect felt like a chance to reset his career and step into a global professional environment.

Even so, the decision was not simple. Gunjan understood that pursuing higher education abroad in his forties involved substantial financial and personal risk. Yet conversations with friends already living in the US, as well as advice from alumni and educational counsellors, convinced him that the move could lead to better opportunities.

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Academic Success but New Challenges Ahead

Eventually, Gunjan enrolled in a university located on the eastern coast of the United States. Determined to make the most of the opportunity, he dedicated himself to his studies and performed exceptionally well. By the time he completed his programme, he had achieved an impressive 3.9 grade point average, something he considered a major personal achievement.

At that moment, he believed the most demanding part of the journey had already been completed. Graduating with strong academic results seemed like a promising foundation for a successful career in the American job market.

However, reality soon proved far more challenging.

According to Gunjan’s account shared with the Financial Express, academic life had actually been the simplest stage of his experience. Once his course ended, the real struggle began—finding stable employment.

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Thousands of Applications, Very Few Opportunities

For the next three years, Gunjan devoted most of his time to job hunting. He spent hours every day applying for positions across various companies and industries. Over time, the number of applications he submitted climbed beyond 10,000.

Despite this immense effort, the results were minimal. He received only seven or eight interview calls during the entire period, and merely four of those progressed to the final stage of recruitment. Eventually, one company decided to hire him, and for a brief moment it seemed as though his perseverance had finally paid off.

But the relief was short-lived. Partway through the process, the company reconsidered its decision and chose not to proceed with employing an international graduate. As a result, the opportunity disappeared before it could truly begin.

Meanwhile, several of Gunjan’s roommates—many of whom were younger graduates—managed to secure employment within eight months after completing their studies. Watching others move forward while he remained stuck intensified his frustration and anxiety.

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Survival Through Odd Jobs

As rejection emails continued to arrive and savings dwindled, Gunjan had to find temporary ways to cover everyday expenses. He accepted any work he could find, regardless of how demanding or unrelated it was to his professional background.

At times, he worked as an umpire for cricket matches, standing for hours under nearly 40-degree heat. On other occasions, he took up different forms of temporary labour simply to ensure he could afford basic necessities such as food, accommodation, and transport.

During the most difficult periods, he worked between twelve and fourteen hours a day just to keep going. The focus shifted entirely from career growth to basic survival. Despite those exhausting efforts, the income from these jobs was never enough to significantly reduce the education loan he had taken to finance his studies.

Gradually, the constant pressure began affecting his mental and physical health. The combination of debt, uncertainty, and endless job searches pushed him toward severe burnout.

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Returning Home With Heavy Burdens

Eventually, Gunjan made the difficult decision to return to India. However, coming back did not bring the fresh start he had once imagined. Months after his return, he continues to search for employment but has yet to secure a stable job.

Financial stress remains a persistent challenge. What troubles him even more deeply, though, is the emotional toll of the experience. At 43, he now relies on his mother for financial support—something he never expected would happen at this stage of his life.

The situation has also deeply affected his self-confidence. Earlier in his career, he considered confidence to be one of his greatest strengths. Now, the years of setbacks have left him questioning his own abilities.

Gunjan believes his age may have made the situation even more complicated. Competing for entry-level roles as an international graduate in his forties placed him at a disadvantage compared to younger candidates.