Dunno why, but this is a fact. Since childhood days, I've always been fascinated towards Europe rather than the USA. People generally look at the USA for working and eventually settling, but I was different. For me it was either Germany or the UK.
In 2007, my dreams of visiting this great country was realised when I was here for about 3 months, in London and Birmingham. I enjoyed every bit of those golden months.
Later in the year 2011, I had to make a choice. I was presented with 2 very tempting offers. Both of them had to be dealt with carefully, for either of them would change my life in their own way. The choices offered were.
a. A reputed US firm offered me a very tempting position in their Bangalore location with an extremely tempting hike. This hike would have taken me to a level that would be on par with some standard expectations.
b. Within my present company, I was offered an exciting role in the UK with an interesting client. The role and pay package were different, less tempting in pay. But the location was something to die for.
Weighed the two options carefully and finally decided to take the second option, after much thought and deliberation i.e. coming to the UK.
Reasons for choosing UK:
As usual, there were people around me, who were not very happy in me taking up this offer as they felt that going to the UK is not a very good idea. The primary reason being India was under the British rule for more than 150 years and this has left a very sour note on we young Indians. I agree, we were humiliated on several occasions. Several people have lost their lives ensuring that the future Indians will live in an Independent India. But, this was 65 years ago. We have to move on. If we look back, we need to learn from the mistakes and try not to repeat them. If you keeping looking at the past, then you will never go ahead. This is what I believe in. There will surely be counter arguments as everyone's view of looking at things are different.
Of course there were some who supported me in my decision. They felt that I was getting chiefly too British in many ways, back in India, like
Anyway, here I am in the UK for the next 1 year. Perhaps it was written that I shall visit this place. Some people call it luck, whilst others call it destiny. Perhaps I would say that it was written, it was destiny that I would eventually come here one day. It would also be best left to destiny as to what happens from hereon.
Sometimes, I do not know whether it was a right decision or the wrong one of mine coming to the UK. But, as they say, sometimes a wrong decision proverbially takes you the right places. This is something I still need to figure out.
Vinay
23-Dec-2011
Time : 15:53 GMT
In 2007, my dreams of visiting this great country was realised when I was here for about 3 months, in London and Birmingham. I enjoyed every bit of those golden months.
Later in the year 2011, I had to make a choice. I was presented with 2 very tempting offers. Both of them had to be dealt with carefully, for either of them would change my life in their own way. The choices offered were.
a. A reputed US firm offered me a very tempting position in their Bangalore location with an extremely tempting hike. This hike would have taken me to a level that would be on par with some standard expectations.
b. Within my present company, I was offered an exciting role in the UK with an interesting client. The role and pay package were different, less tempting in pay. But the location was something to die for.
Weighed the two options carefully and finally decided to take the second option, after much thought and deliberation i.e. coming to the UK.
Reasons for choosing UK:
- Finally getting another opportunity to work in the country of my dreams.
- Opportunity to work for the British people directly and also experience their culture.
- Today, I'm a bachelor without any commitments of any sort. This means that I have all the independence to do whatever I want to, go where ever I like etc. Getting this opportunity before I get murdered (metaphor for 'arranged' marriage. Suicide is my metaphor for 'Love Marriage') that too in this my age of 29 years is rare.
- Wanted to come here for some fun and seeing and meeting new people. Did not even come here for saving or minting money. I feel that I'm young and have several years to go. So technically speaking I have time for all that saving etc.
As usual, there were people around me, who were not very happy in me taking up this offer as they felt that going to the UK is not a very good idea. The primary reason being India was under the British rule for more than 150 years and this has left a very sour note on we young Indians. I agree, we were humiliated on several occasions. Several people have lost their lives ensuring that the future Indians will live in an Independent India. But, this was 65 years ago. We have to move on. If we look back, we need to learn from the mistakes and try not to repeat them. If you keeping looking at the past, then you will never go ahead. This is what I believe in. There will surely be counter arguments as everyone's view of looking at things are different.
Of course there were some who supported me in my decision. They felt that I was getting chiefly too British in many ways, back in India, like
- Using some of the words, expressions, slangs that are specific to this side of the continent.
- Mannerisms are pretty similiar. These include
- Being polite (by saying Please) when asking for something
- Keep saying Thank You to everyone and for everything.
- Saying Cheers at the end of every meeting, informal or formal too. (OK, this is something I learnt when working for a British client!)
- Apologising for things (by saying Sorry!) even though I'm not at fault!
- Opening the doors for others to pass
- Prefer formal wear (minus the neck tie and the coat, please) even during weekends!
- Very punctual for any events and gets a bit cranky when others are not on time.
Anyway, here I am in the UK for the next 1 year. Perhaps it was written that I shall visit this place. Some people call it luck, whilst others call it destiny. Perhaps I would say that it was written, it was destiny that I would eventually come here one day. It would also be best left to destiny as to what happens from hereon.
Sometimes, I do not know whether it was a right decision or the wrong one of mine coming to the UK. But, as they say, sometimes a wrong decision proverbially takes you the right places. This is something I still need to figure out.
Vinay
23-Dec-2011
Time : 15:53 GMT
You better come back after the one year.
ReplyDeleteThings suck here with you.
Will be back August, don't worry. The only question is - for holiday or permanently. June will reveal everything.
ReplyDelete