‘I regret moving to Canada’, Indian student shares his experience on social media

An Indian-origin student from Delhi, currently living in Canada, shared his experience of living abroad in a Reddit post titled, “I regret moving to Canada.” In his post, he detailed his struggles with being underpaid, paying hefty tuition fees, and still not receiving the quality education he had expected from his college.

He urged those considering moving abroad to think twice, stating that there are even better opportunities in India and advising people to stay if possible, as his experience did not match his expectations.

The student wrote that the Canadian government and colleges have turned international students into a business. He criticised the outdated curriculum and claimed that professors barely put in any effort, making the degree nearly useless in the job market.

He wrote, “I go to Bow Valley College, and it’s the worst school in Calgary. Without ‘Canadian experience’, you’ll be forced into survival jobs like Uber, warehouse labor, or retail just to pay rent. Meanwhile, you’re drowning in tuition debt with no real career growth.”

He further explained the financial strain and exploitation he is facing in Canada, mentioning that rent is sky-high, groceries are overpriced, and even basic necessities cost a fortune.

Regarding work-life balance, he expressed frustration, saying, “Either you don’t eat, or you work for food.”

The student also accused employers of exploiting international students, paying them under the table with illegal wages, and replacing them if they complain.

He highlighted the mental health challenges faced by international students, stating that living far from family and friends without a strong support system is tough. According to him, it is difficult to build real friendships or connect with the local community in Canada, as everyone is always busy.

In his final remarks, he suggested that if someone has the opportunity to build a career in India, they should strongly consider it, as it allows them to stay close to family and friends and grow with them.

However, he clarified that he is not running any propaganda to discourage Indians from moving abroad. He simply shared his personal experience and warned that others could face similar struggles.

The post received numerous comments from fellow Reddit users, many of whom resonated with his sentiments.

One user wrote: “I’m in Toronto, and I 100% agree with you, bro. It’s just not worth it to live here—whether you have PR or not. I’m moving back to Delhi soon and am so excited to return with everything I’ve learned. Thankfully, I realised this before my course ended, so I was able to save myself from getting a work permit.”

Another user shared: “I gave up my PR to move back to India. It was the most rational decision I’ve ever made.”

A third comment read: “One of my closest friends is in the same situation! But he’s stuck in New York because he has to pay off a massive loan (over ₹90 lakh). The job market in the US is terrible right now, and he’s unable to find work. He wants to return, but he simply can’t! Everyone loves to criticise India, but the reality isn’t as bad as people make it seem. Most of my friends are well-settled—some are defence pilots, army officers, or working in top IT companies. The only one struggling is the guy who moved abroad.”

However, not everyone agreed with the original post.

One user, who moved to Sydney, Australia in 2008, shared a different perspective: “I don’t regret moving out at all, though I do miss India dearly. Many people struggle in a new country during the initial years, and they start believing they made a poor decision. But my advice is to keep hope and keep working hard. That’s all I can say.”