This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ishansh Gupta, 29, who lives in Munich. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
Growing up in India, I knew I wanted to live in the US one day. I had relatives who’d moved there, and the way Bollywood movies portrayed the American dream resonated with me. I was interested in technology, and some of the biggest opportunities were there.
While completing my bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering in India, I applied for internships around the world to increase my chances of getting accepted by a US university for a master’s degree.
I interned in Poland for two…
