An Indian man living in Europe said many Indian students abroad struggle with studies, part-time jobs and financial pressure, sparking online debate.
Shweta Singh
July 22, 2026 / 12:39 IST
An Indian man highlighted the struggles of students abroad. (Representational image)
- Indian man highlights struggles of students abroad.
- Students face financial, academic, and emotional stress.
- Many juggle studies, part-time jobs, and loan repayments.
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Moving abroad for higher education is often seen as a pathway to better career opportunities and an improved lifestyle. However, an Indian man living in Europe has shared the financial, academic and emotional struggles many international students face after leaving behind comfortable lives in India.
In a video posted on Instagram, Rahul Mahajan said that many Indian students spend large sums of money to study overseas, only to find themselves juggling academics, part-time jobs and financial pressures.
‘They have to do all kinds of work’
Describing the reality of student life abroad, Mahajan said, “The condition of Indian students is the worst here in foreign countries and in Europe. They spend so much money to come here, and all day long in [foreign countries], they have to work, which they would never have to do in India. Okay?”
He said students often have to accept any work they can find, regardless of the nature of the job. He also pointed out that limits on the number of hours international students are allowed to work make it difficult for them to earn enough to cover their expenses.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rahul Mahajan (@rahulmahajan.x)
“And no matter how small the job is, such money can never be made because you only get to work 20 hours a month… 20 hours a week, and even then, you have to do all kinds of work,” he said.
Loans and expectations add to pressure
Mahajan also said that many students rely on education loans to fund their studies abroad, increasing the financial burden they already face. Along with paying for rent, food and other daily expenses, they must also deal with the pressure of repaying those loans.
“Some money cannot be completed, loans are taken from there, and there is pressure to pay off that loan. From every side, people’s taunts about when they are going to return—that NRI status is on their heads—they live under that pressure too. On top of that, they have to complete their studies and go through the citizenship process,” he added.
The video was shared with the caption, “Many Indian students who lived a comfortable life in India end up taking on menial jobs after moving abroad.”
Students preparing to study abroad are increasingly adopting structured financial planning before departure, focusing on forex and budgets to manage rising global living costs and currency volatility.
The harsh realities faced by Indian students abroad, including financial pressure, academic juggling, and menial jobs, could impact future study abroad trends.
The clip sparked discussion online, with several users agreeing with Mahajan’s views. One person wrote, “See the condition of student in India.” Another person said, “Look at the condition of students in India; they are not getting any job.”
Shweta Singh
first published: Jul 22, 2026 12:38 pm
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