USA: The Dream

The United States is often seen as the land of opportunity, and for teenage me, moving there seemed like an impossible dream. But through a mix of determination and a touch of luck, that dream came true.

Life In India

I grew up in Chandigarh, “The City Beautiful,” where I had the privilege of attending some of the city’s best schools. My early education was pretty standard, filled with the usual mix of subjects and extracurricular activities. However, like many students in India, I eventually found myself caught up in the frenzy of preparing for the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). These top colleges promised a bright future, but getting in was incredibly tough. The competition was fierce, and despite being a good student, I realized that IIT wasn’t the right path for me. This self-awareness helped me shift my focus to other opportunities, opening my eyes to the possibilities of studying abroad.

Exploring New Horizons

With IITs off the table, I began looking into universities abroad, especially in the United States and Canada. While Canada had a more lenient immigration process, the U.S. was the tech hub, the place where innovation thrived. Getting into a U.S. university as an international student was no small feat. It required good grades, extracurricular activities, tons of paperwork, and strong references. The process was daunting, but I was determined to make it happen. Financial constraints were a significant concern, so my dad and I decided to focus on public universities that offered scholarships. I applied to five universities and got accepted by all of them. Iowa State University stood out because it offered me an International Merit Scholarship, making my dream more affordable and realistic.

A Different Path

Instead of the typical route of getting an undergraduate degree in India, gaining work experience, and then pursuing a master’s in the U.S., I chose to do my undergraduate studies directly in the U.S. I believed this would increase my chances of securing a job and staying in the country. My thought process was that in case I did not succeed in securing a job, I could go for an advanced degree either in the U.S. or, if immigration became harder, in Canada. My dad supported this unconventional plan, seeing it as an investment in my future happiness. He knew that sending me to the U.S. was a significant financial commitment, but he believed in my potential and wanted to give me the best possible start. This decision marked a major turning point in my life, setting me on a path filled with new challenges and opportunities.

The SAT Challenge

Preparing for the SATs was a crucial part of my journey. The math section was straightforward, but the English section, especially the vocabulary, was tough. Norman Lewis’s “Word Power Made Easy” became my go-to book, and I spent countless hours studying, trying to master the difficult words and concepts. Despite the challenges, I kept pushing forward, knowing that a good SAT score was essential for my dream of studying in the U.S. The preparation was intense, but it taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and hard work, skills that would serve me well in the years to come.

The Scholarship and Beyond

Two months before my final exams in 12th grade, I received amazing news: I had been awarded a scholarship from Iowa State University. My dad, who usually kept his emotions in check, was clearly proud and relieved. He told me to focus on my 12th-grade exams and forget about the IITs, which was one of the happiest moments of my life. The scholarship covered a significant portion of my tuition, easing the financial burden and making my dream of studying in the U.S. a reality. This was a turning point, a moment when all the hard work and stress seemed worth it. It felt like the universe was aligning in my favor, and for the first time, I truly believed that I was on the right path.

The Visa Process

The student visa appointment was the most stressful part of the process. Despite all the scary stories online, my experience was surprisingly smooth. With my financial documents in order and a genuine approach, I got my visa approved just two days before my class 12 results were announced. Meeting Richard Verma, the U.S. Ambassador to India at the time, and having my photo posted on the U.S. Embassy India’s Facebook page felt like a good sign, and the then-Tushar thought to himself, “I made it on the U.S. Embassy India’s Facebook page; they cannot deny my visa now.” The visa approval was the final hurdle, and once it was cleared, I felt a huge sense of relief and excitement. It was official: I was going to America, the land of opportunities, to pursue my dreams.

(That’s me with Richard Verma currently the United States Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and at that time the US Ambassador to India)

Reflection

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The journey through international applications, visas, and scholarships felt like a new kind of homework. It involved hot days traveling in auto rickshaws through the streets of Chandigarh, gathering documents, studying for exams, attending IIT coaching classes, and having endless discussions with my dad. It was a challenging path, but also incredibly rewarding. As the saying goes, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” This is the story of how I made it to America, a testament to persistence, support, and the belief that even the biggest dreams can come true. None of it would have been possible without my dad’s hard-earned money.

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