Indian student Niyati shares why she plans to return home just two months after graduating from Oxford University with a law degree, despite having the option of developing a career in the UK.In a video posted on Instagram, she explained that her decision was not driven by uncertainty or lack of opportunities abroad, but rather a conscious effort to avoid future regrets.While she described her time in the UK as fulfilling and said she might return one day, she clarified that settling there was never her ultimate goal.“My first goal was always to obtain a quality education, not to immigrate,” she said, emphasizing that her journey abroad had a clear purpose from the beginning.
Why it feels good to be back in India
While staying in the UK to pursue a legal career remains a viable path, Nyati says she feels a greater pull towards India, particularly because of her commitment to Pratisandhi, an initiative in which she is deeply invested.She explains that not returning home and giving the initiative a fair chance to grow could lead to long-term regrets. For her, the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution in India outweighed the appeal of an established career path overseas.Her decision reflects a growing sentiment among some Indian students abroad – prioritizing impact and personal consistency over traditional definitions of success.
“I don’t know what the future holds”
Nyati admits her decision comes with uncertainty. She admitted that she could not predict whether returning to India would ultimately prove to be the “right” choice.However, she emphasized that her guiding principle remains clear – make decisions that you are unlikely to regret in the long run.
What is “regret minimization”?
At the heart of Niati’s decision was the idea of minimizing regret—a framework popularized by Jeff Bezos when he decided to quit his stable job to start Amazon.The concept is simple but powerful: Imagine yourself in the future (usually when you are older) and ask yourself if you would regret not taking a specific step. The focus is no longer guided by short-term fear or uncertainty, but toward long-term realization.For many, this approach encourages taking calculated risks and making choices that align with deeper values rather than immediate comfort.