Coming back home to Nepal was not my first option. I have to admit, it wasn't even my second or third. However, given the appalling US job market, particularly for a young international undergraduate, I finally decided to consider going home. While trying to convince myself to buy that ticket home, I drew out a list of pros and cons: I found out that apart from my family, there was very little that attracted me back.
I had always dreamed about America since I was little. I had done just about everything required to get me there: enrolled for an A-level degree, started the painstaking process of college applications, lived through the agony of waiting to hear back from colleges, survived the hoopla of the American visa process of trying to prove that I had ties strong enough here that I would not remain in the US after my graduation. I was so desperate to leave the country that despite being rejected for the visa on my first attempt, I reapplied and remember being so ecstatic when I was finally given the green light to leave the country.
But, why was I so desperate to leave Nepal?
Four years later, and in a drastically different situation, I found myself struggling with this very question. I realised it boiled down to the lack of basic necessities back in Kathmandu: electricity, water, and fuel. Internet was erratic, there were no clean public restrooms, and coffee shops were drab. The political uncertainty, lack of public security, and the infringement of basic rights of the masses by a selfish few at most levels had really put me off.
Family played a huge part in my decision to return home. But there was another reason: I had just completed my bachelors in Not-for-Profit Management and Economics from Salem College, and the opportunity to work in Nepal, I thought, would be an ideal way for me to go beyond my academic understanding of how the development sector and the real world function. For that though, I first needed a job, and so I began to reach out to my professional network, albeit the small one I had.
As luck would have it, I was introduced to a person who directed me to Niti Foundation, a Nepali not-for-profit working in policy engagement in Nepal. After several months of emailing, I ended up joining the team. During these months with Niti, I have had the opportunity to study and understand the process in which policies are formulated and implemented in Nepal, as well as develop a stronger network of people that have supported my decision to come back.
Some of my friends tell me that I was fortunate to have found a job in Nepal. From their experience, you only get a job if you have relatives or friends in high places. After failing to find jobs in over four months of searching in Nepal, a couple of them have already decided to return to the US.
Clearly, professional networking, or rather the lack of it in Nepal, is an issue for many, particularly those that have lived a significant part of their adult lives outside Nepal. From my experience there is a need to promote a support system that assists young individuals to interact with each other: a space to research the job market, share experiences about entrepreneurial ideas and initiatives, and be involved in various social movements.
Recently I have been associated with a new initiative called farkeka Nepali that plans to serve as a soft-landing platform for Nepalis that want to return, but find the lack of access to a professional network a key impediment to taking the plunge. An initiative such as this would make it easier for at least a few of the Nepalis who are considering the option on whether or not to return to Nepal. I know I would have.
Please join our facebook group: farkekaNepali and www.nepalitimes.com to further this discussion.
1. who cares
you do not want to return back to nepal, i dont know about others, but i personally do not want to see the person, with the kind of attitude you have, back in nepal.
look people, we have another, "i am far better than you" kind of a person who wants to work for ngo, ingo rather than some productive industry.
first class manager goes for productive sector, second class manager approaches bureaucracy, and third class is meant to be for non profit org.
may be you should try politics. these is one in nepal who is presenting himself as the greatest cause he had sacrificed architect job for politics.
and you can say, you are the greatest cause you choose nepali politics by sacrificing amrican dream.
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 12:51 PM NST
2. JB
Welcome back, Akriti, let's hope more people decide to do something about the state of Nepal by returning than just sitting back and complain about how corrupt, dirty, polluted it is to justify staying away. JB
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 5:05 PM NST
3. Still Hopeful
My first job in Nepal was with one of the numerous NGOs but sadly after working for it for nearly 3 years, I had to quit it. I was desperate to land any job even if that meant living outside of Kathmandu or if my income was cut in half from what I used to make abroad. Having born and bred outside of Nepal, I was curious to experience Nepal as it was instead of flying here every few years to spend my holidays, visiting relatives and basically, honeymooning.
And yes I landed a job outside of Kathmandu. Compared to average earners, my salary was almost as par to what I used to earn abroad. So I dived into my new job full of hope, dreams and raw enthusiasm. I worked my ass off. I was punctual. I was straightforward. I met people of different backgrounds, castes and religions. I was awed by every single experiences I came across. I talked about riding in a ox drawn cart, fishing with the Majhis, harvesting rice and every little thing a small Nepali village could afford. And I did most of them too.
Sadly, by the end of my third year I was so miserable that I nearly went into depression. Facing everybody at work became a nightmare. You see, I was completely out of sync to how the system worked. I wanted black and white, but they worked in grey area. I got so disgusted with the system and our Nepali attitude and mentality towards WORK, that I decided it was better for me to quit...
But still I am hopeful. One thing for sure, no more NGOs or INGOs or UN or Social Work for me. It's time for me to do something on my own. You might find me selling momo or serving you coffee in the future!!
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 5:36 PM NST
4. karr
This article makes me think the US Dept of State was wrong to give her a student visa in the first place. Clearly her intention was never to return to Nepal after she moved to the USA for her studies. how will Nepal survive with such a brain drain? When the best and brightest think the answer is to move to the USA and then not ever come home?
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 6:16 PM NST
5. GyaRel
I liked this article. You are brave person to return to Nepal face the challenges. Some people may say that Nepal has a lot of problems that a returning may face, and get stocked to. But I can see the young like Akriti see the situation in Nepal as Challenging, and they want to find ways to overcome those Challenges. It is up to you whether you call it obstacle or problem or a challenge. If you consider Nepal as problematic, then don't return, but if you consider it Challenging, and you love to face Challenges, fight Challenges, and want to find ways to overcome Challenges, then you have great opportunities to succeed in Nepal in long run.
If you would like to expand your network among Nepalis interested in returning to Nepal, then you give a try at Nepal Development Forum at LinkedIn.com . The forum was initiated by Dr. S. Adhikari, an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in a university in US. Just search the Nepal Development Forum in LinkedIn.com, you will find. I may suggest your article to Dr. Adhikari, and he may contact you.
All the best Akriti and others like you. GyaRel
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 9:20 PM NST
6. Global
Why do people expect that by being born in a certain country they are required to have a moral/legal obligation towards it????!!
Why do you want to force senseless nationalistic prejudice onto someone when he/she instead feels suppression/senselessness/helplessness
Are you born/do you die with a national identity tattooed on your forehead?
I do not believe in a God, I love a juicy beef burger, I feel healthier, peaceful, and progressive outside of Nepal, I hate most Nepali traditions and customs - waste of time and irrational, I have been to Africa and S.America and have seen people live in worse-off conditions, I want to earn in dollars and make sure my children don't waste half their lives away without realising Earth is not the only planet, I've seen natural beauty equal or greater in other parts of the world and do not agree that "Nepal is the most beautiful country in the world" but rather in in many, I believe that my obligation to myself and my future family > than obligation to my parents..... so does all of this make me - less than you? unethical? selfish? ....
---Live Free or Die---
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 1:22 AM NST
7. K Hill
Nepal needs a policy to attract more people like Akriti to get back following the higher studies overseas. Recently, I was in China, I met several Chinese colleagues who spent years in overseas, have returned to China. This is not what #6 Global thinks dollars are the only means of happiness, this is what the government policy that secures one's future, and the one's love for language, culture and tradition. Being a global and contributing to our planet from wherever we are is not wrong, but hating own (and also others') culture and tradition is wrong. We perhaps do not need a flow of money as #3 Still Hopeful gets a negative perception from working for the NGOs/INGOs in Nepal, but linking with global community is important to exchange ideas and skills for Nepal's future. One point, #6 Global should realize that wherever we live and whatever our job or income, we are treated as Nepalese, and Nepal's economic status. Thus, first, ALL we have to see the better and prosperous NEPAL either contributing to its economy from being in the country or in the overseas.
Posted
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21 OCT 2011 | 3:19 AM NST
8. Sarath G
Another rubbish on NT, another disillusioned Nepali educated abroad biting the dust. Why are these pathetic, corrupt and mediocre-lot-operated NGO/INGOs always the first option for the majority who come back to Nepal? Why this ridiculous notion that you have to come Nepal to serve? Why not create something on your own, start a business, and make lots of money. I studied abroad too, got an Russell Group MS, now back in Nepal because it makes an economic sense, I can easily make money here without any patronage and sycophancy. Money grows on trees in this country, and you dont even need a ladder to pick that up.
Posted
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22 OCT 2011 | 12:15 PM NST
9. Gaje
#6 global "so does all of this make me - less than you? unethical? selfish? ...."
yes it makes you selfish, and cynical.
Posted
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22 OCT 2011 | 3:03 PM NST
10. Party Peedit
Excellent article, Akriti.
First, ignore the likes of #1, 4 and 6.
They (and their cute postmodernist cynicism) are useless to man, beast or even themselves.
Second, you will soon (a year, two or maybe more) find that working in Nepal in an area you like is far, far more rewarding (strangely even financially, if you take purchasing power parity into account) than working in the West.
Good luck, for yours as well as our sake!
Posted
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22 OCT 2011 | 7:24 PM NST
11. adarsh
Having lived in US for over a decade, the trend of returning to Nepal after completing studying abroad is awfully similar. The rich kids have option of returning, the poorer ones don't. The rhetoric of working in Nepal in various NGOs and INGOs too only come from people with similar privileged background. This is as blunt as I can put it. Let's face it, it makes sense economically and personally!
Posted
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22 OCT 2011 | 11:13 PM NST
12. rosi
# 8. Sarath G This has been discussed here many times. US Graduates first priority is to get NGO/INGOs job while graduates from other countries such as AUS is to start a business. May be that's the only thing they teach there in US to Nepalese students or May be that's the only thing they learn event though they are taught the same things .2+2= job in NGO/INGO
Posted
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23 OCT 2011 | 1:40 PM NST
13. villager
Thanks to the writer. You made me real proud. I born here, studied here-I don't know about quality but I can read and write- and now living here and will be. I have no capacity to change and can not complain either. Still I know many people who came back from abroad and grown up here living happily.
Posted
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23 OCT 2011 | 6:50 PM NST
14. Rishav
Nice article, interesting experience you have had and am glad your able to share it with us.
Things have changed alot in Nepali attitudes towards those who study and work abroad. 15 years ago, I'm sure you would get unnecessary hastle by an immigration officer whilst entering and leaving Nepal. That has changed and also the views of Nepali's who have left and live abroad, before I'm sure you would hear only negative remarks and disconnected attitudes of Nepal from this group but now their seems to be a reconnection or reawakening to the land of their birth.
Opportunities for those who worked or studied abroad really comes down to the individal and what your prepared to deal with whilst you come home. Work culture/ethic as described in this article is a difficult area to deal with, as one is use to working 12+ hours a day if not more abroad, whilst alot Nepali office workers seem to be on a permanent flexible time rota. The culture of office work in Nepal is something , which alot of foreigners and expat Nepali's have always found something of a struggle to get use to.
Posted
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23 OCT 2011 | 10:36 PM NST
15. GyaRel
Since I came to see more and more relatives mine study in private schools, they either don't have interest in joining government jobs or they don't get it. It also applies to others who return from US. Here are a few reasons why they prefer jobs in NGO or Corporations, but not in Government jobs:
1. Main reason is Salary. The government salary is so low, you can hardly cover a month exclusive based on your salary.
2. Most of the guys from Kathmandu (in their early age) are less inclined to be corrupt, but want to do something that is their passion. I stayed in a hostel, majority of my hostel-mates in college level and university level education had dream of becoming rich in short period of time through commission while working in the government. It is a fact based on my personal experience.
3. The students who come to KTM from remote and outside KTM usually went through misery, did not have good flat, had very bad living condition, and therefore, they are desperate to have own house. I saw one young overseer who was later engineer, made two buildings in Kathmandu before he turned 25. For these young minds, initially, they had a great interest to be honest and serve country, but as they are close to end of their college life they realize the importance of money, and find that money rules, and they simply don't have money, and at the same time, they don't find any other entrepreneurship skills to venture into any biz, and have no relatives or influence to get other jobs. Thus, the only way to rise and reach to the self defined destination of success, is through the government job through open competition. In the past, the government job was one of the more protected job for those who could pass the exams in open competition. I am not defending the type of exams or the contents of the exam, but the way exams were run and candidates were selected for the position, they did not have significant influence from political leaders in the past. The paradigm of getting into government job has changed from open competition to political interference. While for the young of Kathmandu, they got a lot of direct or indirect influence in those jobs through their family network. Personal Network is or was primary venue to get jobs in any private company or in NGO/INGO. As Akriti also seems to be one of those samples.
4. Nepal's education does not offer entrepreneurship skill, but bookish knowledge, that fits exams in government jobs, and makes them unfit for NGO/INGO where you need some sort of communication skill to sell your organization because you need to gather money from external sources to pay your salary. That is the reason government job attracts people without any risk taking skills, and they always believe in "Sarkar ko kaam kahile jala gham." They don't have to be productive, and govt job ensures the bottom line salary, no matter what you do. This can be attributed to the inefficiency of government employees, and that is the reason we are where we are 50 years ago. The corruption is sky racketing because of the same reasons.
5. Company jobs in Nepal don't secure your old days, opposite to government jobs: the pensions. My cousin who resigned from teaching job recently gets a good sum of money while he lives in village. For him, it covers his expenses that requires cash. Nepal desperately needs the Social Security System like in US, that ensures your old days. That is the reason why people are looking for short circuit route to get more money.
6. Political instability is another reason that people don't want to venture to Nepal. Outside KTM, the life is very dangerous if you want to have your own biz. As soon as the political stability is restored (which is still distant away), the young graduates from US and other developed countries will return to Nepal, and second cycle of economic boom will start. It will happen as soon as Maoist PLA are cleared from their camps, and YCL is demoralized (public has to take action against them) or dismantled.
7. NGO and INGO should be required to have more transparent accounting system. At this moment, it is lucrative money making biz, instead of "REAL" service oriented biz.
8. Nepal's education system should offer some sort of entrepreneur skill to its graduates starting highschool education e.g. carpentry to having own biz e.g. getting a license from international franchise e.g. KFC, SUBWAY, MCDonald or other companies.
9. Nepal should have a credit score recording organization like in US, so that you can get credit without showing your parental property.
10. Nepal also needs FTC or other organizations to monitor companies who exploit people or workers. Law should be enforced.
Good Luck to Nepal and entrepreneur Nepalis. Promote creation of jobs, creation of entrepreneurs not just create the workers without any skills.
Posted
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23 OCT 2011 | 12:40 AM NST
16. buzz
First of all Salem College is a Tier 2 college. You have a degree from Liberal Arts school. What are you supposed to do with that degree? May be your skills are not competitive enough in Kathmandu. Talent pool in Nepal is great.
I understand govt jobs are who know who. But private sector specially finance, IT, etc are mostly based upon competition. You see networking helps but you got to be able to perform.
The bottom line is that do not expect any favor because you have a undergrad degree from US.
Posted
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24 OCT 2011 | 7:46 AM NST
17. Nepali
Nepali University Great and the best , look Jhelinath (B.A), Mato ko Madhav( B. Com) , Subash Nemang (graduate) ,Pushapa kamal (Bsc. Ag) don't bothered from where & how you get degree , don't choose wrong track big scope in Political industries Of Nepal.
Posted
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24 OCT 2011 | 11:53 AM NST
18. Rambabu
Why you worry guys ? We have many vacancies in Political Indus ties. word Chairpersons 40000 PHD in any descipline VDC chairpeson 4500 Master in Political sciences or social sciences. DDC chair persons & Mayors 175 , only 10 +2, from Nepal or Equivalent. Flag Carrying Cadres # 30 parties of Nepal 7,50000 Reserved Young W women SLC or Equivalent . For all position Basic Minimum Nrs 10,000 and other with skill and Performances. contact BRB to achieve per ca pita $ 3000 programme ........New Nepal
Posted
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24 OCT 2011 | 2:53 PM NST
19. Gole
Nepal now needs -.3E. Employment. Entrepreneurship. And Education. Can the present leadership deliver that?
Posted
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24 OCT 2011 | 8:33 PM NST
20. Zombie4Nepal
Oh not this crap again! Dozens of Nepali have been deported from US in recent months. I'm sure NT will cover stories of 'their way home' and their aspirations of making Nepal a better place!
Posted
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25 OCT 2011 | 7:51 AM NST
21. Nepali
Hi Gole # 19 At least add more two E , Nepali needs for survival five Es ,Economy, Energy, Entrepreneurship,Employment &Education. You are recommended in BRB advisory team. Now start Educating badal.Baidya and conservative Bame haru of Nepal..Thanks for your pioneer effort.
Posted
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25 OCT 2011 | 10:42 AM NST
22. Junge
Guys, we Nepalis have this very critical nature where we have to ridicule every single thought that the other person has. Yes, working in an INGO or NGO may not make a difference that many of us want to see in our country, yes most of the returnees are from a more privileged background, but you have to admit the fact that there are more people returning these days. Part of the reason is that jobs have become harder to find in the West (especially the US). Many of my friends are still struggling in the US by working in a gas station or a Indian restaurant when they could enjoy a much better life in Nepal. There used to be a stigma attached to returning to Nepal which is largely gone now. You have to accept that more people returning is a good sign as those who return will contribute in one way or another.
Posted
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25 OCT 2011 | 6:51 PM NST
23. Still Hopeful
I agree Junge. More abroad-educated returnees will definitely contribute to the development of our society in a positive way. Strength lies in a majority. More like minded people means easier to implement radical changes that is very crucial at this point when everybody is talking about New Nepal. But New Nepal is not going to build upon old mentality. I don't mean to undervalue the education system of Nepal but getting a degree or certificate from American, Canadian or other universities/college is definitely worth it. That degree is not only an accumulation of academic knowledge but hundreds of hours of menial jobs we do to get through our studies, hence an accumulation of real life practicalities too.
Posted
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25 OCT 2011 | 9:28 PM NST
24. pratibha
I can see that among the readers of Nepali Times, we have many bitter, narrow minded and visionless people. I won't be surprised if these people, who are writing nonsensical stuffs here, are actually some low quality but somehow employed people who think getting employed alone makes them qualified to pass judgement on others.
As for Rana, I think you should enjoy at what you have. Willy nilly the country is at your hand, and you should think about how to tame people like Mohan vaidya, and take country forward. You are, as you know, tomorrow's Anuradha Koirala but you need to realise that..
Posted
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25 OCT 2011 | 9:46 PM NST
25. syd
My dear commentators - first of all, not all fingers are same. If same, then this world would not be beautiful definatley! So, it does not matter where you get your education - not all education from all part of the world are the best - it all depends on how much time you really have devoted to become subject matter expert including who were your advisers and quality of materials you digged. Its not nececessay that you got the education in west, country like US and so on, and you need to get job in Nepal or any part of the world in fly. To get the job - you need to sell and prove it that you are qualified for this job - as in the west, you need to go for series of interviews which can be first interview (chekcing the candidates - which filters most), seconds interview (real life questions - such as relevant technical) and final or third interview whith Human resources about you overall - which is very crucial. Definatley this type of selection criteria is lacking in Nepal - but am sure that its coming sooner or later as well. There are thousands and thousands of students in Nepal, who could not go to East or West for further education - still they thrive and shine within the Country and 100 tiems better than me or writer of this article MS AKRITI RANA for sure.One should never compare developed nation form EAST or WEST to Nepal. You can compare only when Nepal reaches to that level and its the duty of all Nepali who is living in the Nepal or abroad to make this happen, possible! I am not from US but from Oz and am living here since last 17 years working day and night.to excel my knowledge and skills. When I see my counter part form US - Nepali/Indians or some other nations, they have some
superiority complexity, they think US has got this, US has got that bla bla bla - they just dont want to see or listen that beside US there are other country as well - better than them and better than over all. Not all perople can afford to have education in US or Oz and not all people can go to MIT/Howard or Sydney Uni/ UNSW/ANU - they have to go other UNI as well. As I can say from the writers perspective MS AKRITI RANA is not from the selected University form US for sure. There are categories in UNI in US and so in Oz and so in India as well. My question to the writer is that - How can you say that your mother is bad - though she put you in her belly for 9 months and give you birth with 3rd degree labour, MS AKRITI RANA? Nepal gave you your own identity and you are saying Nepal is BAD. MS AKRITI RANA, change your perception and think out of the box and then write some good article.
Posted
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26 OCT 2011 | 10:12 AM NST
26. Madhesi
Job is always created, if we study Import list of the country worth 462 billion Nrs several items can be organized either traded properly or manufactured in Nepal. We import food grain up to air craft or defense Weapon too think if we will be able to export to neighboring China or India naturally our situation will change, Except few years during panchayat era, country does not advance further. the game of corruption & commission make the country worst where new projects hindered due too insurgency too. The policies of government yet of traditional style to study various feasibility.We are optimistic if You collect dust or garbage in sufficient quantity and use at appropriate place it will be jobof worth
Posted
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26 OCT 2011 | 11:28 AM NST
27. B2B
The skeptical folks in almost a country of inquisition, at worst doubt of their own capacity to overcome the drawbacks in the face of them. But for sure they are in utter desperation to which one requires to know how to address and at the same time one must be aware of how to speak and offer the reliable future prospects.
Moreover, never the denizens of a country should be constrained to envisage the future as a menace, instead, a fair chance for every citizen to evolve for the better. Those who yearn to egg on must remain open to new concepts of living, find out the narrow passage between the realism that they are supposed to incarnate by actually possessing the authentic capacity to follow and cut a deal for better future prospects.
All those expatriates who make way back home are as if to be at a square one with the sheer advantage of somebody who has come of age. They came, lived and they vanquished (Veni, vidi, vici).
Sure enough, they will always keep a vibrant souvenir of their college life at the back of their mind. As of now, they at least know what does it meant to be creative as well as inventive by bringing development and progress in the society wherein they belong and they shall be the pioneers of this new chapter in Nepal's history that they will help write together with those who are already on the tarmac by engaging themselves in this arduous task of nation building.
First off, whole of Occident is hit by the syndrome of economy going belly up. This bad conjuncture is all man-made which deadly affects especially the youth which have earned the acronym of 'Generation limbo' a k a generation standstill. So much so, no career, no future prospects and no worries, what so ever!
They are effectively the victims of bad timing. They have gotten to wait for the economic tides to turn.
Look at the recent US data statistics pertaining to those graduated between 2006 and 2010. 14 percent of youth are looking for full-time jobs, either because they are unemployed or have only part-time jobs.
Unwittingly, there is the slice of graduates who are underemployed, are surviving by working in call centers, bars or are selling the articles in supply centers.
Is the US sleepwalking? Does the famous 'exceptionalism' will be their undoing? Further, why do the people become more conservative when they become better off? Nobody wants to put a spanner in the works of the present team of the Obama Administration. But the GOP could really sink the US economy just for the sake of power grip.
Especially in the US, landing a decent job has become next to impossible. How long the US youth have to force themselves out of rat race before it is too late?
Anyways, if you look into the past history of the Occident, there has been always different 'Generations' hinged on successive events that followed suit:
1) Lost Generation: The generation that participated in the deadliest WWI, between1914 and 1918 in Europe.
2) GI Generation: Born between 1901 and 1924, they fought in the WWII.
3) Silent Generation: Born between 1925 and 1945, too young to participate in WWII.
4) Baby boom Generation: Born between 1946 and 1964, also described as 'pig in the python' generation.
5) X Generation of revolt: Born between 1964, 1970s until 1982.
6) Y Generation or Millennial: Born between 1970s and 2000.
7) Internet Generation: Earliest in 1990s until 2011, you are right therein.
For now, the Generation limbo's future is uncertain thanks to no permanent jobs available for all. This precarious situation of the youth is seriously taking scares the hell out of everybody.
Just for a change, somebody goes to land a job, meets the recruiter. The recruiter questions: "Your experience"? The guy responds, "Sir, you've seen my hats up on my head. I've therefore expatriate experience. All these hats I brought from the countries I visited all this time"!
You must to continue. You can take all the flak lightheartedly. It is after all your life. Incidentally, you landed a plum job in NGO, that's great. One day you will show what you are made of. Dodge, Dodge, Kapow!?!
28. Chayanba
if you have mater plan and master mind Every thing is in Nepal that depends on your capacity to lie and talent to make fool. Look Gajurel, Naraya Man(Jayapu), PKD, Ramchandru, Jhelinath, Rajendra Prasad(Apoorti) , kamal thapa. all flowerish here and fair access to other part of world for break. Search your career and Make your mind.
Posted
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26 OCT 2011 | 5:45 PM NST
29. serious?
B2B: seriously?? wtf??? seriously??? i tried reading that left to right, right to left, even backwards, and that makes no sense at all. please write in a style so that the rest of world can understand :-)
Posted
on:
26 OCT 2011 | 7:21 PM NST
30. Shilu
Nowadays with unemployment rate so high in the US they have changed the immigration law. Before a student on F1 visa could stay for 1 year for Practical Training. Practical Training is: you get a job and you work for one year in your related undergraduate field. The visa that you retain will still be F1 during practical training. Then, after finishing practical training you either go to Graduate School for Masters or Ph.D or go to work.
In the past, even if one did not get any offer for Practical Training the student still could stay in the US for one year after completion of a degree.
Now, if one does not get an offer for Practical Training by the time one gets his/her undergraduate degree that means within few weeks of receiving the degree the student has to return to his/her native country. The other way to stay in the US is to go to Grad School.
Certainly, getting hired in NGOs and INGOS is mostly based on favortism and nepotism in a country like Nepal. The job that most phoren returned people want to hold is called consultancy.
P.S. I am not writing about Akriti. Coming back to Nepal is her choice and happy that she found a job and she can use that experience for further studies or whatever. She has written a nice article.
Posted
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27 OCT 2011 | 12:54 PM NST
31. BIPPA Bhattarai
i have arrange bippa for you guys but don,t ask me how many of you will die in industrial accidents? Take care of yourself.
Posted
on:
27 OCT 2011 | 2:37 PM NST
32. Abin D
Nice article. I really respect your honest opinion. You just laid it out plain and simple. There are many more of us who are in similar situation due to current American economic situation. Going back home is not their first or second option too. That may be due to family economic reason or not knowing where to start once you land in Nepal.
You were brave and courageous enough to take your option to go back home and I wish you all the best.In journey of life, every event teaches us something about life.It's not where you go or what you become, but what you have learned from your journey is important. I wish you all the best and I am so proud that you wrote so that it starts the conversation regarding the issue that many are facing. I hope to see your next article about your experiences working in NGO in Nepal.
Posted
on:
27 OCT 2011 | 9:00 PM NST
33. ram
Oh gosh .I bet you, her american dream was shattered once she landed in america. She may be from a hierarchial Rana family. Life here in US is not as sweet and nice as many people speculate there in Nepal.
Posted
on:
30 OCT 2011 | 10:24 PM NST
34. Sam, Uncle
Akriti is the best, just like the US is!
We don't have the stinky trashes piled up all over the roads and the burgers we eat are made of the beef meats, not like the silly yaks with their beards and horns!
Maybe some of you are of the jealous nature that the Akritis got to go to America; I come from the great land and miss the traffic lights and the fatties! We all know that the American bunch eat up ALL of the foods on the planet. I want some McDonald's stuffs right now!
Come to my land and I will show you why America is AWSM
Posted
on:
01 NOV 2011 | 12:24 PM NST
35. SH
"ALL OF THOSE FOODS ON THE PLANET" ....
And I was wondering how America is also claiming to be a top supplier of the compost, organic and otherwise!
Thanks for enlightening me Uncle Sam! You are the greatest! "McSmile"
