An Indian man living in Australia has sparked a discussion online after comparing the experience of struggling to build a career in India with life abroad, arguing that while hard work is required in both places, the rewards can be dramatically different.
In an Instagram video, Srijan Swaroop spoke directly to students preparing for competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET and UPSC. He said he had been in a similar position one or two years ago, when he was preparing for competitive exams and had failed more than once.
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Swaroop said the experience eventually made him question whether the level of competition and struggle he was facing was unique to India. He decided to explore opportunities overseas and took the risk of applying for an Australian student visa.
According to Swaroop, moving to Australia became a major turning point in his life. He described the decision as the “best decision of my life”, while acknowledging that life abroad is far from easy.
“There is struggle here too,” he said, making it clear that he was not suggesting that Australia offered a life without challenges. He also drew a comparison with Indians who move from villages to major cities such as Delhi or Mumbai in search of better opportunities.
His central argument, however, was about what people receive in return for the effort they put in.
Swaroop said he believed the difference between India and Australia was not necessarily the amount of effort required, but the rewards that followed that effort. He claimed that the same level of hard work could result in significantly different outcomes depending on where a person lived and worked.
“Mehnat same, but rewards different!” he wrote in the caption accompanying the video, which was framed around the theme of “Struggle in Australia vs struggle in India.”
The post quickly generated discussion on social media, with users offering different perspectives on migration, earning potential, family responsibilities and the realities of building a life overseas.
Some users agreed with Swaroop’s argument that higher salaries and better financial opportunities can make the challenges of living abroad more worthwhile. One commenter said earnings in dollars can be substantially higher for comparable work, while another agreed that the rewards outside India can make the struggle feel worthwhile.
However, others pointed out that moving abroad comes with sacrifices that cannot be measured purely in financial terms. One user highlighted the difficulty of leaving parents behind, particularly when it is time to take responsibility for ageing family members.
Another commenter offered a different perspective, suggesting that struggles in India can also eventually lead to success, citing their own journey from being a NEET aspirant to becoming a medical student.
The reactions underline the complexity of the India-versus-abroad debate. Swaroop’s video presents one individual’s experience and perspective, while the comments reflect the different circumstances, priorities and expectations that shape people’s decisions about education, careers and migration.
