I know this is a digression but I would like to air my views on the "IIM" issue that arose recently. Why are we surprised that an IIM grad is considering FSW?? and why does it reflect poorly on India??
These arguments imply that it is understandable for non IITs and non IIMs to apply under the FSW program but when an IIM grad applies, it signals an aberration.
There is nothing wrong with India and there is nothing wrong with an IIM or an IIT applying for immigration under the FSW program. The decision is an intensely personal decision and is a multidimensional one. Agreed that job and career is a strong component for many but I am sure all you will agree that there are other equally if not stronger motivations at play.
I know people who have migrated even though they did not have any "usual" or "conventional" reasons to do so. People who were well off, in stable jobs, some in government jobs, couple of them in advanced stages in life.....
Even in my case, I have been asked by many why I would choose to sacrifice a cushy PSU job and uproot my life and voluntarily opt for such uncertainty and potential hardship..... In my case, the answer is that me and my husband love our life, each other and our kids! We want to spend this life not pushing files but on an adventure... one after the other! We want to give a chance to our children to live whatever life they chose for themselves.... We are not looking to immigrate because we could not make it here.... We have made it here and we know we will make it there too.... It is just that this world is so beautiful that the thought that we may die without seeing it together is scary!
I am not an IIM grad but I am sure like me, everyone here has their own unique set of reasons. I would say, FSW is a great equalizer.... A forum of adventurers.... Seekers.... Travellers .... True Romantics!!!