I was asked this question by Ather.
For the record, I spent four years in USA from January 2001 to December 2004, and completed my education there. I returned to Karachi in January 2005 and have been living and working there ever since.
I am most frequently asked why did I return. People just can’t imagine anyone who spends some time in the US can return. Well, it is very much possible. I did it, and I know many others who did the same.
So why did I return? Because I wanted to. I had just completed my education and I wanted to try my luck in Pakistan. I was full of patriotism and wanted to offer my services to my country. I did not want the goras to benefit from my skills and potential. I knew I would never be able to make the same amount of money, enjoy the same kind of life in Pakistan, but I knew I would be living with my family. And working for my country. Call me stupid? Perhaps I was, I am. It made sense to me at that time and it still does.
How is it going for me? Pretty good, I say. Although I barely make the same amount of money that I used to in the US from an odd job not related to my field, but it took around 60 hours a week to earn that money, and I hated it. Here at my current job I work only 40 hours a week, and I enjoy every second of it. In the evenings I am with my family and friends, enjoying quality time with my lovely wife, it can’t get better than that.
Do I regret it? Not at all. Not for a moment. Yes, there are some aspects of life in Karachi that I hate and when they get on my nerves I feel like I am stuck in the worst place on earth, but that doesn’t last too long. Sure, I miss the life in USA at times and it makes me gloomy, but even then I don’t regret coming back. Would I be better off if I was still in the US? Financially, maybe yes, but emotionally and socially, I don’t think so.
Money is not all that matters to me.
Would I ever go back to the US? That’s the question I don’t have an answer to. In near future I have no such plans. If I did move out of Karachi it would most probably be the UAE.
Thanks for the reply Umar!
here i am asking you another question??why you choose UAE over other places if you will move out from Karachi coz i do live in UAE but i don’t thing UAE is a place worth while to live with devoid of any natural thing simply fake or artificial place…anyways i just want to know your opinion
faiq: there are many reasons… the most important reason is that it is pretty close to Pakistan, just couple of hours flight from Karachi. So I frequently visit home. Secondly, I don’t care a lot about the artificiality of UAE. What matters is that the place is secure, stable, and peaceful.
Nice, I like your blog. I'am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I'd be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that's drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.
Nice, I like your blog. I’am done with my studies too here in the US and would be going back o India in 2 weeks. I have a fear whether I’d be able to adjust or not. Have spent 3 years in the US, and nothing can get better than California. Patriotism one may say, that’s drawing me back to my home country, and my family. Good to know there are like minded people too. Good luck.