‘I can’t romanticise America anymore’: Indian woman's honest post about visa stress and the hidden reality of the American dream

For many Indians, moving to the United States is seen as a dream, a place filled with better opportunities, higher salaries, and a brighter future. But one Indian woman believes there is another side to that dream that people rarely talk about.

In a recent Instagram video, an Indian woman identified as 'Sanyaa Talwar' shared why she no longer "romanticises America." While she made it clear that she is grateful for the opportunities the country has given her, she also opened up about the emotional struggles, visa-related uncertainty, loneliness, and career challenges she faced after moving there. Her honest account has sparked a conversation online, with many people relating to her experience as an immigrant.

"Let me de-influence you"

Talwar began her video with a message for people planning to move to the US for higher education, an MBA, or to start a business. She said she wanted to "de-influence" them by sharing the realities of life in America so they could make a more informed decision. According to her, America is often portrayed as the perfect destination, but the reality can be far more complicated. While she acknowledged that the country offers incredible opportunities, she also described it as "a bit overrated" when people ignore the challenges that come with living there.

How visa rules can affect everyday life

One of the biggest issues Talwar spoke about was the stress of living on a work visa. She explained that visa status can influence many important life decisions, including career growth and job changes. According to her, promotions in corporate jobs can take years, salaries are often linked to visa sponsorship, and changing employers becomes difficult when immigration paperwork is still being processed. She also pointed out that even travelling outside the country isn't always simple, as immigrants often need a valid visa stamp before they can return to the US.

For many professionals, she said, these uncertainties become a constant source of stress.

The loneliness behind the opportunities

Talwar also reflected on how difficult it was to find work after arriving in the US. She began her journey in the small city of Rochester before moving to Chicago in search of better opportunities. Despite submitting more than 500 job applications, finding employment wasn't easy. She admitted that during this period, she gradually lost confidence in herself.

Because she spent so much time searching for work, she struggled to build friendships and described it as one of the hardest phases of her life.

Her thoughts on fitting into American culture

Apart from career struggles, Talwar also shared her personal observations about social life in the US. She felt that many people tried hard to fit into similar lifestyles and behaviours, making it difficult to see individuality. While she acknowledged that this was only her personal opinion, she said she sometimes felt people looked alike, spoke alike, and avoided expressing unique perspectives.

She also described life in America as expensive and, at times, capable of making people lose touch with their own identity.

'I don't regret moving here'

Despite everything she experienced, Talwar says she has no regrets about moving to the US. Instead, she believes the journey helped her grow into a stronger and more resilient person. She explained that the biggest reason she was able to navigate these challenges was because she never forgot who she was before moving abroad.

By staying connected to her roots while embracing new experiences, she feels she has become the best version of herself.

A reminder that every dream has two sides

Talwar's story isn't about discouraging people from moving abroad. Instead, it is a reminder that life in another country comes with both opportunities and sacrifices. Behind the attractive salaries and career prospects can also be visa uncertainty, emotional struggles, loneliness, and the pressure of starting over in an unfamiliar place. Her message encourages aspiring immigrants to look beyond the idealised version of the American dream and prepare themselves for both its rewards and its realities.

For those considering the move, her advice is simple: dream big but know the full picture before taking the leap.