In a recent social media post, Indian software engineer Ray (@sde_ray) has shared his candid and relatable account of the challenges he faces while living abroad in Europe. As a software engineer, Ray has been living in Europe for some time now, and his post highlights the difficulties that many expats, particularly Indians, encounter while navigating a new country and culture.
Challenges Faced by Indian Expats in Europe
According to Ray, some of the significant challenges he faces include:
Vegetarian food options
Ray notes that vegetarian food is expensive and not easily available, making it difficult for him to maintain a plant-based diet. Non-vegetarians aren’t spared either, as concerns over beef oil or shared utensils with pork and beef prevail. The result? Cooking at home or shelling out hefty amounts for food becomes inevitable. Cheap and healthy food remains elusive, leaving fast food giants like McDonald’s and KFC as the default affordable options.
Social isolation
Ray mentions that weekends and holidays can be lonely, and it’s hard to find meaningful connections with locals and fellow Indians alike. “Europeans are super friendly,” he writes, “but you cannot find that connection.”
Surprisingly, he claims that Fellow Indian doesn’t like you and will try to avoid you in public places. In his follow up post, he justified his statement saying Indians thinks other Indians are also coming and this hurts their feeling of superiority.
Cultural differences
Ray highlights the differences in cultural norms, such as the emphasis on personal space and avoiding unnecessary interference, which can be a significant adjustment for Indians. He humorously advises Indians to “kill the TaiJi inside you”, a reference to nosy, well-meaning Indian relatives, explaining that eavesdropping and unnecessary interference are unwelcome.
Lifestyle and Environment
Europe is the best place for introverts but a worse place for extroverts and ambiverts, Ray believes. Winters are depressing, and with most establishments shutting down by 7 PM, the nightlife options feel limited.
On the brighter side, Europe offers clean air, water, and well-organized systems, though it comes at the cost of high taxes.
Strict adherence to rules and queueing are the norms. “Jumping the line is considered bad behavior,” he adds, highlighting a cultural difference that might amuse Indians.
Financial Dynamics
Ray notes the difference of everyday expenses versus luxury products. While essentials are expensive, luxury goods are surprisingly affordable.
Related: India vs. Europe: Why Luxury Goods Remain a Distant Dream for Many Indians.
Language Barriers
Despite widespread use of English, Ray points out a peculiar challenge in France, where locals often insist on speaking French even if they understand English. Elsewhere, people generally prefer their native language but will explain in English when necessary.
Missing Home
One of the most heartfelt points Ray raises is the inability to attend family functions. Video calls remain the only way to stay connected with loved ones back home, a reality many expats know all too well.
You can check his post here:
Challenges while living abroad:
– Vegetarian food is expensive and easily not available.
– Non veg is easily available, but sometimes cooked in beef oil or sometimes cooked in same utensils as beef & pork.
– Cook yourself or pay extreme prices.
– Hard to find cheap & healthy… pic.twitter.com/ZXA6LxPo1n
— Ray (@sde_ray) January 2, 2025
Conclusion
This viral post has achieved over 37,000 impressions. Ray’s experiences highlight the bittersweet realities of living abroad, from the struggle to find community to the unique challenges of adapting to a foreign lifestyle. For expats like Ray, these stories are not just individual struggles, they’re a reflection of a larger experience shared by thousands of Indians abroad. As the number of Indian expats continues to grow, it’s essential to acknowledge and address these issues, fostering a sense of belonging and support among those who are building new lives in foreign lands.