If you are like me or any other POI (Person of Indian origin), it is very likely that you are in the R2I dilemma and assessing yourself to do R2I or stay back where you are.
Unfortunately, we are 'neither here not there' types since we are born in India and also have seen the Western parts, which are much more developed than countries like India. Based on my thinking before R2I and experience after R2I, I have tried to put together a simple spreadsheet that can help you decide whether you should heed to that 'internal pull' towards the home country or stay back where you are.
As I said in my earlier posts, R2I is a very individualistic experience and something that is a major factor might be a very small factor for somebody else. I have assigned weights based on my situation and have tried to come up with a fair set of 'For R2I' and 'For NR2I' factors. Add and subtract weights and factors as you see fit. Assign your priority numbers and see what you come up with. If your PRO R2I factors weight more than Pro NR2I, you should strongly consider R2I before it is too late. But, be aware - by no means, this is not a scientific approach. So, use as you see fit. Good luck :-)
As always, appreciate your feedback in the comments area.
Here is the link to the spreadsheet. Feel free to plug in your Weight and Agree/Disagree ratings for each factor and spreadsheet will compute the final totals which you can compare:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ar31K-X0nlyBdFliSzRZUE1FRXM2LTVvc2xmRmJwQmc&hl=en_GB#gid=0
Below is how the spreadsheet looks:
For R2I factors:
For NR2I (No R2I) factors:
Unfortunately, we are 'neither here not there' types since we are born in India and also have seen the Western parts, which are much more developed than countries like India. Based on my thinking before R2I and experience after R2I, I have tried to put together a simple spreadsheet that can help you decide whether you should heed to that 'internal pull' towards the home country or stay back where you are.
As I said in my earlier posts, R2I is a very individualistic experience and something that is a major factor might be a very small factor for somebody else. I have assigned weights based on my situation and have tried to come up with a fair set of 'For R2I' and 'For NR2I' factors. Add and subtract weights and factors as you see fit. Assign your priority numbers and see what you come up with. If your PRO R2I factors weight more than Pro NR2I, you should strongly consider R2I before it is too late. But, be aware - by no means, this is not a scientific approach. So, use as you see fit. Good luck :-)
As always, appreciate your feedback in the comments area.
Here is the link to the spreadsheet. Feel free to plug in your Weight and Agree/Disagree ratings for each factor and spreadsheet will compute the final totals which you can compare:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ar31K-X0nlyBdFliSzRZUE1FRXM2LTVvc2xmRmJwQmc&hl=en_GB#gid=0
Below is how the spreadsheet looks:
For R2I factors:
For NR2I (No R2I) factors:
The spreadsheet is absolutely useful and meaningful! Same with your posts as well. So glad I came across your blog as we are contemplating our R2I. Thanks so much for your service.
ReplyDeleteVery good analysis. Family ties, Family values, Career & Money, Lifestyle etc. are well factored in. Jai Bharat.
ReplyDeleteThere is a dilemma about whether it is worth taking USC + OCI prior to R2I, as the other option would be to keep INC ( will cause hard acquired PR to expire, may impact social security benefits, 401k etc?.) - while kids born here have USC. Please include.your valuable thoughts - pros and cons.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteI have covered my views on USC + OCI options in one of my earlier posts. Pls check this:
http://r2idiaries.blogspot.in/2012/03/guess-this-is-one-of-most-common.html
Also, this one has my views:
http://r2idiaries.blogspot.in/2013/09/planning-r2i-should-i-burn-bridges.html
Hi, I wanted to take some time to truly appreciate your excel.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful and intelligent.
I have already r2i in 2010. But i took the test honestly not knowing what the end result is. And indeed the final number was positive. I also changed the weights because just as you said, different things mean different to all.
TO all looking to r2i - I will say take the test. Because r2i is not about "Grass is greener"on the other side - NOOOO !
I will add one more to Mohan's blog - Please identify the BIG reasons - When you question your r2i 2 years since move, you have to measure by that.
AND
Please also identify where your pain points WILL be even before the move. Vecause, again , 2 years post move, you will NOT be surprised.
That is the only successful way to measure and move for R2i
Great work Mohan !
@2010 r2i dude: Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteWell said, agree with you - having the right expectation make R2I successful and not disappointing. Its very true that you can't get everything at any place but right expectation helps a lot (especially for things on which you don't have control).
Add to that - I think there is some personality aspect to this as well. Some people can find happiness any place you put them. Once quote comes to mind - once Pandit. Bheemsen Joshi was asked 'why he didn't move to West?'. His response was - "many people leave India physically but their heart and mind stays in India. Some people stay in India physically but but heart/mind is somewhere else". This can apply very well to a R2I - they are physically here but thinking about US or other country all the time!!!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blogging.
Would you mind writing a blog about how to find jobs in India by living here in the US?
@ anonymous - sure, will try to provide some info on job search in India, living in US....
ReplyDeleteHi Mohan - thanks for the detailed posts...I found your R2I vs. NR2I excel sheet very helpful. I got a +ve score of +220 :-). This is mostly since I give 10/10 weights to being close to parents and also 10/10 to "handling day to day grind in India". I have already r2ied to India with GC, for getting married and being close to my wife. But I may need to R2A again to get USC and then come back again. only 1 point is stopping me from buying flat in Bangalore is that I am worried if I will find a good job opportunity in India after I come back again in 5+ years. Actually, I am in a niche field in hardware industry and opportunities are not as great as in Bay area. Also, I am and intend to remain single income family, so that way Bangalore suits me better than Bay area. Please advise.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Kundan
@Kundan: Thanks for the comments. Glad to see it was useful to you.
ReplyDeleteAs I said in that entry, pls take the evaluation sheet with a 'grain of salt' - since each person's situation is unique and varies. Some gut feeling goes the long way in R2I.
USC is a good idea - especially for keeping the long term view for kids. Education system in India in always in flux as you see the changes that happen to the entrance exams on a daily basis. Hence, it is better to have an easier option for kids, not blocking the way.
I don't have much exposure on the hardware side but in general it is true that there are not many opportunities. You should explore and settle on something before you make your move back. That way you have a safety net - worth spending few weeks to settle on a job before you make the move.
For cost factor, compare education costs over long term - unfortunately, a good elem/middle school in Bangalore costs dear (versus it is free in US) whereas undergraduation can be an expensive affair in US (where here it is comparitively cheaper).
Hope this helps...
Thank you Kundan, this is very helpful. We came to US 16 years ago and have 5th grader and planning to R2I in 2017. We are happy with school and education in US. My heart is always in Bangalore as born and bough in Bangalore and surroundings. My wife's only concern is if he marries a Indian girl his life is good and mostly they will stick together in good or bad times. Please comment on your views as you have seen both the worlds.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Raj
Mohan, Please comment on my above post. Thank you for your detailed blog this is very helpful to know experiences before R2I
ReplyDelete@Raj - good question but a very sensitive matter to deal with :-). My take is this - things are changing fast in India as well and who knows how things will be down the line in 15-20 years. The chance % that Indian kids will have a family with non-Indian born are pretty high if you stay in US but I do think even in India, things will change. Days are people sticking together may not last that long, IMHO. That itself wouldn't be a strong R2I reason.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my advice to R2I or NR2I parents is - 'Be a roman in Rome'. If you are staying in back in US, expect kids to grow like other US kids. Don't force them to be 'Indian' and be open. Again, my 2cents...
Hi Mohan, Excellent post! I have read many of your posts. Your posts are very thoughtful, logical, informative and to the point for a prospective R2I. After contemplating R2I for the last few years, we are returning to India - Chennai this month after 12 years in the USA. Thank you for sharing all your analysis. They really helped me a lot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Glad these posts helped. Good luck with you move...
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