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<ul class="summary-list"><li>21-year-old Skylar Griffin has four credit cards, including and AmEx Gold and Platinum.</li><li>She got her first credit card as a freshman to build up her credit score and kept a strict budget.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Skylar Griffin, a 21-year-old college student in Georgia. Griffin financial claims have been verified with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.When I was a child, my mom often shared financial advice. She told us never to cosign for someone's loan and don't buy anything unless we could buy it twice.On several occasions, she advised us kids never to get a credit card unless we were responsible enough to pay it off each month.She didn't want us to struggle financially like she did as a single parent.In high school, I started watching YouTube videos about finances. I saw financial struggles firsthand, and I didn't want to be in that position as an adult. The videos taught me I'd need to build up my credit score to buy a car or a house or if I might need a loan.<h2 id="102ef261-a63c-412a-8936-6e2d5bc894d4">I got my first credit card before going to college</h2>In July 2021, I was preparing to study business management at Columbus State University in the fall. Without my mom's knowledge, I ordered a Bank of America student card. It was a Visa card with no annual fees. My mom wasn't happy. I reassured her I'd done my research and could handle the responsibility.During college, I worked at a call center during the school year, paid internships in the summer, and received refund checks because my scholarship was more than school costs. I also earned a bit of money doing social media content.My first card had a limit of $500. I would buy little things here and there, making sure I had enough in my checking or savings account to pay it off each month. I'd marked all the due dates in my calendar, and I was never late for a credit card payment. There were temptations to buy new clothes or tech, but I always fought it.<h2 id="fc7cfef9-313f-436d-be60-a1a46519f707">Getting an AmEx for the travel points</h2>I kept using the Bank of America card throughout my freshman and sophomore years of college, but in April 2023, I decided to take out an Amex Gold card as well.I'd heard about travel credit cards through watching financial advice videos online. If I used this card for buying groceries or dining out, my two main expenses in college, I would get four times the points to use on travel. Although I wasn't traveling much, I planned to travel. At the time, the card had a $250 annual fee, which was worth it for the points I felt.I only used my card for things I needed or had saved for. I never bought things just to earn points.In March 2024, I took a big leap and opened an Amex Platinum credit card. It comes with a high price tag — a $695 annual fee — but I thought the benefits outweighed the price. Because it was another Amex card, all of my points were added to the points earned from the Amex Gold.I only use this card for booking flights and hotels because this is what I get the highest points for. With the card, I get five times the points when booking flights and hotels, a $200 yearly airline credit, and a $200 yearly hotel credit.When I stay at Marriott or Hilton, I get 'high status' and often get my room upgraded. But my favourite perk is the CLEAR Plus membership which gets me through TSA quicker at the airport.I knew I was planning some big trips in 2024 to Japan and New York, and then a cruise to the Bahamas, so planned to make all my travel purchases on the Platinum. Since getting an Amex, I've been able to fly to Japan, New York, and Miami for free in 2024.With this card, I accessed airport lounges on the long trip to Japan and was part of the President's Circle with Hertz Car Rentals, so I was guaranteed a car upgrade when I rented a car to get around the country.<h2 id="ec2f29ef-d145-470e-972f-0e160d4e0cd5">I took out a fourth credit card so I could earn points for other purchases</h2>In June 2024, I decided to take out another Amex card — the Amex Blue Business Plus. This card means I can earn points paying for things like gas, that don't earn me points on my other cards.There's no annual fee, and I could only take it out because I'm considered a sole proprietor. I own a Mercari shop where I resell vintage clothes I find at flea markets.I only use my Bank of America card when Amex isn't accepted. I never use a debit card unless I'm pulling cash out of the bank.Even though I am confident and comfortable using credit cards, I still don't spend anything that isn't in my checking or savings account. I never base a purchase on the money that I'm expecting in my account, because you never know how finances could change.I put all my due dates in my calendar and aim to pay each of them off earlier than required. Sometimes, I feel the urge to overspend. But then I remember the interest rates on my cards, and I snap back to reality. Paying high interest because I can't afford to pay my bill in full is not worth the momentary satisfaction of shopping.In addition to all the benefits I've received when traveling, my credit cards helped me raise my credit score to 755.<h2 id="1abacec9-c073-4582-ac5e-15c3908118fc">I never stop learning about finance</h2>I think college students should consider getting a student credit card with no fee. They have low limits and can help start building a credit score. However, if you're impulsive or have poor spending habits, I wouldn't recommend it.My mom now says she's proud of how I manage my finances. I've always found personal finance interesting and the concepts easy to understand, but it takes dedication to stay on track financially. I never stop learning to make sure I'm doing what's best for my financial future.

I'm a college student who pays nearly $1,000 in annual fees for 4 credit cards. It's worth it for good credit and travel perks.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Andres Pico, a software engineer from Ecuador, navigated the US education system to land a job at Microsoft.</li><li>Pico faced challenges adapting to US standardized tests and sought scholarships to fund his education.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Andres Pico, a 29-year-old software engineer in Seattle. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I grew up in a small beach town called Manta in Ecuador with my dad, mom, and two sisters. My dad always taught me that there was nothing I couldn't do.I became interested in computers and technology because of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/playstation-plus">PlayStation</a>. Sometimes, I couldn't finish a game because the dialogue and options were in English, so I became very motivated to learn computers and English.<h2 id="aea16f41-f4aa-4e6e-926f-62684543751d">After graduating from high school, I decided I wanted to pursue my education in the US</h2>To apply to a university in the US, you must pass either the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/do-colleges-require-standardized-testing-sat-admissions-what-it-means-2024-3">SAT or ACT</a>. I bought an ACT book and prepared for many months to ensure I could get a good score.I knew I couldn't attend college in the US without a scholarship, so I began investigating scholarships and programs. I found the University of South Florida in Tampa offered a scholarship for students from Latin American countries that would get me a student visa.I was awarded the scholarship, which allowed me to receive a stipend of $1,000 a year to cover textbooks and resident status for tuition purposes.<h2 id="1ea4606f-8ed1-484d-bf1a-b39e05b12a66">I began a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 2012</h2><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-and-uk-life-biggest-differences-after-moving-home-space-2024-7">Coming to the US</a> at 17 was very challenging. It was my first time leaving home, and there was a lot I didn't understand about the US. I had no close friends or family here for support or guidance.It was also very exciting, as it was an opportunity to push myself. It took some time to get used to classes in English. I studied hard from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.<h2 id="d640f046-61e6-4e77-9c39-669f1b3f751d">In my second semester, I found the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers</h2>The SHPE is a national organization that empowers Hispanics and offers mentorship programs in STEM. Classmates told me they offered free pizza. I'm really glad I was feeling hungry that day.They were welcoming and taught me the basics of the school system, how to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-this-is-an-excellent-resume-2013-11">create a résumé</a>, conduct interviews, and apply to grad school. It was a blessing to find them — suddenly, I had a community of people who wanted to help me succeed.<h2 id="e2632ea8-177e-49a0-b62a-e961cc3cb10a">A fellow student advised me to get as many internships as possible</h2>That was the best advice I received for navigating the US system. If I had just focused on the school material and not gained practical experience, I'm not sure I would've been able to find a job after graduating.I had multiple internships as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recruiter-how-filter-applications-software-engineering-job-post-atl-interview-2024-5">software engineer</a> with local companies in data centers and startups via student work permits. These internships allowed me to gain experience and earn some money.I was extremely fortunate to count on my dad's support to cover any difference between my earnings and expenses.<h2 id="f9d3935c-b09d-48b2-9bb8-dfcaa291a51f">I went on to pursue a master's degree in computer science at Virginia Tech</h2>I sought universities with good computer science programs and scholarships or assistantships. Virginia Tech had an amazing program and great tenured professors, and it offered me an opportunity as a TA, so the decision was obvious.My teaching assistantship paid for all my tuition and also paid me around $20,000 each semester.<h2 id="c9fdec8c-c770-4f06-a7af-8a6bb5f26c51">I started applying for jobs in 2017</h2>I must've applied for over 100 of them. When you apply, employers ask you if they'll need to sponsor you at some point in the future, as not every employer can cover the financial costs associated with the process when the time comes.I received four offers from Microsoft, Verizon, Deutsche Bank, and Disney. Microsoft had the best offer and was willing to sponsor my visa.<h2 id="a93721cf-c9e0-46f2-bd96-3071c98b4800">I started as a software engineer with Microsoft in 2018</h2>When I started my job at Microsoft in Seattle, I could work thanks to a student work permit that lasts one year after graduation and is granted to all F-1 visa students. While working on the student permit, your employer helps you apply for an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B</a> visa.I applied for a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/big-tech-green-card-applications-pause-2024-5">green card</a> after working on my H-1B visa for a year. By this point, I had lived in the US for about six years and created a whole life here, but the green card process was very painful.<h2 id="a2b4001a-c572-41e4-89cb-053b4e3c883a">The process makes life pretty horrible</h2>Having a work visa and going through the green card process are privileges, but it is very hard to separate the emotional component.There's no guarantee that you'll get to stay. If something goes wrong at any given time, you have to be ready to pack your bags and leave everything behind. I know some people who tried to get it three times and ran out of chances and had to return home.The first few years working were also difficult because I wasn't around anyone who looked like me. I wanted to grow and challenge myself, but at the same time, it made me wonder if I belonged, and doubt and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/managing-imposter-syndrome-when-you-are-the-boss-2021-10">imposter syndrome</a> crept in.Luckily, Microsoft paid for the attorneys in the green card process, and no cost came out of my pocket.<h2 id="1eb526a5-91be-4063-bec1-58a529e97297">I had to constantly review what they were putting on the application forms</h2>My key takeaway is that, even if you're working with lawyers, you still have to assume complete ownership of the application process and remember the lawyers supporting you, being human, can make mistakes.I was audited because some of the information that had been submitted was incorrect. It took me six to eight months to provide supplemental information and pass the audit.In 2022, I finally received my green card after three years.<h2 id="bd375841-9305-458d-bfb3-92ac255d1675">Last year, I decided to move into product management and took a new job at Starbucks</h2>In software engineering, you work on problems created by engineers for engineers. I wanted to learn how to build products that our customers actually love, so I ended up becoming a technical product manager.I love the US, I love the city I live in, and I love its people. I try to make it a better place by providing value through my career and volunteering in my local community.I even recently <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-left-nyc-bought-vermont-house-slow-life-2024-9">bought a house</a> here — I don't have plans to move anywhere else.Want to share your story? Email Lauryn Haas at lhaas@businessinsider.com.

I got my green card after working at Microsoft on an H-1B visa. The process was very painful, but I love the US and don't plan to leave.

<ul><li><keyword id="9349622" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-us-department-of-homeland-security">The US Department of Homeland Security</keyword> is planning to introduce temporary modifications to F-1 &amp; <keyword id="9535479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="m-1-nonimmigrant-visas">M-1 nonimmigrant visas</keyword>. </li><li>The development will allow universities and institutions to provide a blended learning experience — both in-person and online — so as to meet the requirements for <keyword id="9535478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="nonimmigrant-student-status">nonimmigrant student status</keyword>. </li><li>This will let the foreign students continue their education in the United States, ANI reported. </li><li>The international students can apply for two types of student visas to study in the US — M-1 nonimmigrant visa and <keyword id="9535480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="f-1-nonimmigrant-visa">F-1 nonimmigrant visa</keyword>.</li></ul>In a bid to provide flexibility to non-immigrant students, the US Department of Homeland Security is planning to introduce temporary modifications to F-1 &amp; M-1 nonimmigrant visas — which are granted to foreign students pursuing academic or vocational studies in the US — for this <keyword id="1601040" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fall-semester">fall semester</keyword>. The development will allow universities and institutions to provide a blended learning experience — both in-person and online — so as to meet the requirements for nonimmigrant student status. This will let the foreign students continue their education in the United States, ANI <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1280677472158150656?s=20">reported</a>. However, students will still be required to have a visa and may face travel or other visa restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a recent tweet, US President <keyword id="6354484" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Donald-Trump">Donald Trump</keyword> said that schools must open in the fall. The government added that social distancing measures should be strictly enforced across the operating campuses in the country. This comes on the backdrop of the latest amendments introduced by the US government for students as campuses shift to a remote learning model. On July 7, The Trump administration announced that the international college students who are taking classes online will not be permitted to stay in the US on a student visa. "Nonimmigrant students within the United States are not permitted to take a full course of study through online classes. If students find themselves in this situation, they must leave the country or take alternative steps to maintain their nonimmigrant status such as a reduced course load or appropriate medical leave,” the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/ice-says-international-students-taking-online-courses-have-to-transfer-or-leave-the-us-as-dozens-of-schools-shift-to-remote-learning-in-response-to-covid-19/articleshow/76824683.cms">said</a>. The international students can apply for two types of student visas to study in the US — <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/642-f-1-and-m-1-nonimmigrant-students">M-1 nonimmigrant visa and F-1 nonimmigrant visa</a>. The M-1 nonimmigrant visa is extended to those applying vocational or non-academic studies. While the M-1 nonimmigrant visa is granted to students pursuing language courses or other academic training in the country. In the meantime, the Trump administration is also cracking down on the work visas granted to the international employees working in the US — calling them a ‘threat’ to American jobs. This was after the unemployment rate in the US surged to a new high. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/elyments-dips-to-3-5-stars-on-google-play-store-heres-what-analysts-believe-indias-new-social-network-needs-in-order-to-be-successful/articleshow/76845819.cms">Elyments dips to 3.5 stars on Google Play Store — Here's what analysts believe India's new social network needs in order to be successful</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-airborne-transmission-cant-be-ruled-out-says-who/articleshow/76845663.cms">Covid-19: Airborne transmission can't be ruled out, says WHO</a>

US student visa restrictions may be eased slightly to help foreign non-immigrant students

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After graduating from college, Dalia Goldberg found a job working in marketing.</li><li>Curious about what else was out there, she decided to look into moving abroad.</li></ul>I remember one freezing cold morning in 2015 when I was working at a marketing agency in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/college-overseas-abroad-canada-mcgill-university-no-debt-2024-7">Canada</a>. That day, I had been tasked with editing a travel article about Málaga, Spain.I had never even heard of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/five-countries-everyone-should-visit-from-frequent-international-traveler-2024-10">Málaga</a> before, but it sounded lovely. A freelancer had written the article using the knowledge they'd gained from living in Spain and running a travel blog. While I worked with freelance writers every day as part of my job, I had no idea what it was like to actually be one.I couldn't have imagined that nine years later, I would be living just a few hours' drive from Málaga and working as a freelance writer. But the path to getting here was far from easy and straightforward. There were many challenges to overcome along the way, from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wealthy-americans-foreign-residence-citizenship-investment-migration-henley-partners-2024-3">immigration </a>bureaucracy to financial struggles and personal hurdles.In 2016, at 24, I quit my job and started a new adventure. I wanted to travel and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-big-tech-job-uber-entrepreneur-2024-10">be my own boss</a>, like the freelancers I'd worked with.Here are five lessons I've learned during my years abroad. <h2 id="52a1dec2-f044-458b-9af2-31a0514116fc">1. Plan ahead and expect the unexpected</h2>At first, I wasn't sure where I wanted to go. After researching immigration and practicalities, I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/german-vs-american-parenting-relocation-berlin-kids-independent-helicopter-parenting-2024-10">decided on Berlin</a>. I was used to living in a big city and wanted to be in a similar environment, and assumed <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/berlin-travel-guide-germany-trip">Berlin</a> would be an easy place to get residency and find a job.Before <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-things-moving-to-germany-from-us-2024-9">heading to Germany</a>, I scoured the internet for information on how to apply for visas. It all seemed simple and straightforward, and with my immigration experience from leaving the US for Canada, I thought I was all set.But when I arrived, I realized things would be much harder than I thought. While in Canada I'd been able to apply for visas by mail, in Germany I had to visit the overcrowded immigration office — waiting hours in the early morning to try to get a walk-in slot, or weeks to secure an appointment online. The system was filled with Catch-22s: you needed a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/work-visa-moved-usa-canada-immigrants-2024-7">job to get a visa</a>, a visa to get a job, and a job and a visa to secure any type of permanent housing.I learned that it's important to be well-prepared and do your research before moving abroad. There will always be things that research won't prepare you for, so I've learned to expect the unexpected. Looking back, I would have told myself to save up as much money as possible, as it takes time to get settled when arriving in a new place.<h2 id="258d8f26-ee72-48d6-a042-117f4d0d1d83">2. Don't be afraid to leave your comfort zone</h2>Eventually, I got tired of struggling with bureaucracy and decided to leave Berlin. At this point, I'd begun working remotely, so I opted to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-go-in-europe-travel-planner-favorite-destinations-2024-10">travel around Europe</a> for a while. I visited dozens of countries over the course of about a year and a half.While this period was fun and rewarding, transitioning to a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spending-2023-digital-nomad-lonely-daunting-what-really-matters-2024-1">nomadic lifestyle was a challenge</a>. I had to sell everything, proceeding to live out of a backpack with just a laptop and a few essentials. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and the "digital nomad" movement weren't very well-known — so explaining the decision to confused, worried friends and family wasn't easy. Looking back, I'm happy that I got to see so many new places.It can be hard to stand by your decisions, especially when others don't seem to understand. But sometimes, life's unexpected twists and turns can lead you in exciting directions. During this trip, I learned that travel can be more than just fun: it can broaden your horizons and change the way you view the world.<h2 id="6a5e4e5c-c66f-4c7a-9ba0-128efcbe8105">3. Try to see the positives in everything you do</h2>As I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/visited-went-to-every-country-in-the-world-favorites-2023-11">traveled through multiple countries</a>, I was exposed to different cultures. This taught me there are dozens of ways to complete the same task.Need a bus ticket in Greece? Obviously, you should visit a newsstand to buy one. Want to ride the subway? Well, it works differently in Istanbul, Budapest, and Bucharest. Every place I went, I needed to learn a new set of rules for daily life. While locals went about their day effortlessly, I often struggled with basic tasks.Every country I visited offered its own set of beautiful discoveries and painful headaches. Eventually, I realized that no place was perfect — they were all just different.You can adapt to a new country, learn the language, and discover the culture — but you can't expect everything to run smoothly all the time. A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/solo-travel-tips-how-to-stay-positive-feel-less-lonely-2023-9">positive attitude is the key</a> to having a good experience.<h2 id="8a79fa62-a9ea-4792-8c81-047a39f90bfe">4. Find a community</h2>In late 2018, I stopped traveling and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/surprising-things-about-moving-to-europe-from-us-barcelona-spain">moved to Spain</a> permanently. I found a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-millennial-living-abroad-spain-overcome-loneliness-friends-improv-comedy-2024-10">fun new way to make friends</a> — performing in an improv comedy group.Finding a community of people I really connected with was game-changing for me. After all, integrating into a new country isn't just about filling out forms and learning a language. It's also about making friends, putting yourself out there, and finding your place in a new society.Putting yourself out there is especially important for freelancers who <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-working-from-home-office-misses-friends-loneliness-remote-2024-6">work remotely</a>. Even if you're not an extrovert, it can get boring being at home every day. Finding a good café or coworking space can make all the difference.<h2 id="30d1fb02-9084-4643-80b6-8ef25ff19277">5. Keep going, even when things feel impossible</h2>The most important lesson I learned? Stick it out.There were definitely many times when I considered going home. Being a freelancer has also been challenging at times. Although it's been nice to have the freedom to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/working-2-full-time-remote-jobs-overemployed-millennial-started-business-2024-7">work remotely on my own schedule</a>, this has also meant I've had to figure out immigration, taxes, and other logistics without help from an employer.Ultimately, though, I'm happy to have persevered. The experience helped me become more resilient and empathetic to the challenges of many other people who have more difficult circumstances than me.If you're <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-moving-abroad-cost-of-living-too-expensive-debt-retirement-2024-4">planning a move abroad</a> or a big life change, there are going to be moments when you want to quit. But by fighting through the difficulties and appreciating the good moments, you'll definitely get a lot out of the experience.Got a personal essay about moving abroad that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

I quit my corporate job and moved to Europe to become a freelance copywriter. It's been challenging, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dalia Goldberg chose to leave the US in 2010 to earn her BA at McGill University in Canada.</li><li>During her four years in college, she experienced some culture shock and learned a new language.</li></ul>It was 2009, my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-school-senior-commutes-hour-school-every-day-2024-4">senior year of high school</a> and I felt clueless.I'd never fit in particularly well at school. I enjoyed learning when I was younger, but toned down my enthusiasm when it became clear that having too many nerdy interests was "uncool." So by the time some of my peers were eagerly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-ivy-league-college-application-look-insider-2024-5">filling out college applications</a> and even discussing what they might choose as a major, I was still dragging my feet.I didn't feel particularly excited about the future. What was the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-millennials-skipping-college-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-2024-5">big deal about college</a>, anyway? I'd just be studying the same old subjects, preparing for some job I didn't really want. My parents took me on college visits, where we attended presentations that I listened to halfheartedly.Growing up in a Philadelphia suburb, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/miami-university-ohio-confusion-student-florida-2023-10">University of Miami</a> caught my eye. I was enamored by the lush green campus filled with flowers and fountains, just a half-hour drive from South Beach. The distance from my hometown was an added bonus. But with a whopping cost of attendance of over <a target="_blank" href="https://irsa.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/Documents/CDS1011.pdf">$50,000 per year</a> at the time (including fees, room, and board), I'd definitely have to take out student loans.Similarly, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/college-nyu-fresham-move-overwhelming-2023-9">NYU</a> offered the excitement of living in a big city, but the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2012/10/04/Most-Expensive-Colleges:-2012-2013.html">tuition fees nearing $60,000 per year</a> were daunting.I began filling out applications to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-public-state-universities-compared-to-ivy-harvard-jobs-2023-7">state schools</a>, a more affordable option. But I couldn't quite give up my dream of moving further away and having an adventure.<h2 id="043029b2-21db-434e-a82f-8e9ab3fa8aeb">I started looking into colleges outside the US</h2>I wanted to meet new people, explore new places, and get a fresh start. Maybe if I could get away from memories of middle-school bullies and awkward encounters with boys, I could finally start to enjoy studying again.My parents had bought me a big book of colleges, which I haphazardly flicked through while watching TV. Then, something caught my eye. Not all the colleges in the book were American; some were overseas, and those were cheaper, a lot cheaper."Can I visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-universities-in-every-country-2014-7#ireland-trinity-college-dublin-15">Trinity College Dublin</a>?" I asked my parents. But they weren't fans of this idea. Europe was far away, and going back and forth would be expensive. Would European degrees be valid in the US? There were too many variables.So I proposed a closer option: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/college-tuition-costs-usa-canada-england-2017-3">McGill University </a>in Montreal. It was well-known in the US and just a 1.5 hour flight from Philadelphia. You could even take the train. The costs were significantly cheaper than my other favorites: around $25,000 for the year, including room and board.<h2 id="8416f662-2e81-40fa-b741-48b225dfc14a">Deciding on Montreal came with challenges</h2>During my first <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/day-in-the-life-montreal-canada-paris-of-north-america-2024-6">visit to Montreal</a>, I knew it was the place for me. I loved the narrow streets of the Old City, the plazas, the bars, and the restaurants. I also found the school appealing. I felt that this was a place where I'd be free to do things my way. I liked the independent approach to student life, with most students moving off-campus after their first year.When I went back to my high school, I pushed harder on my academic efforts than before. I studied hard in my French class, got a few letters of recommendation, and took the ACTs and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-sat-test-easier-expert-2024-3">SAT subject tests</a>. Finally, I got the score I needed for admission.Leading up to graduation, I started to have cold feet. I'd be leaving all the friends I'd made in the last few years and starting completely from scratch. Did I really want to do this? Some friends thought it was cool that I was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-canada-from-us-differences-pros-cons-guns-drugs-2023-12">moving to Canada</a>, but others found it odd. Even when I explained the lower costs, it sounded too far away to them.<div type="image" title="Three college students on a couch looking at photos on a camera" height="469" width="625" msid="111390566" hostid="261" sizebytes="29658"></div>When I got to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montreal-canada-city-low-cost-of-living-quality-of-life-2024-6">Montreal</a>, I didn't feel comfortable right away. Like any college freshman, I was somewhat anxious about being away from home for the first time, but there was also the added element of culture shock.I'd become friends with a French exchange student at my high school and spent some time in France, but I soon found the language and expressions used in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quebec-city-montreal-canada-things-to-do-history-architecture-2022-10">Quebec</a> were a lot different. I also didn't know much about Canadian culture — the slang, the history, the education system, and the way of viewing the world.At first, as I met groups of students who all knew each other from high school, I felt like it would be hard to find my place at McGill. Still, after a while, I found a good group of friends, got involved in city activities, and began feeling at home.<h2 id="eef77b24-1110-4048-a3b3-d398be15d05e">Starting my career abroad</h2>After receiving my diploma four years later, I knew I wanted to stay abroad.I applied for a post-graduate work permit that allowed me to stay in Canada, and found a job at a marketing agency where I had to speak French every day. At first, I felt intimidated. I didn't get some of the jokes and cultural references made around the office, so socializing was hard. Still, over time I began to feel more comfortable working in a second language.After a few years, I decided to move to Berlin with my partner at the time. It was hard to find work, learn German, and navigate the immigration system, but I drew on my previous experiences to help and found a remote job <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/former-teacher-side-hustle-job-youtube-english-2023-11">teaching English online</a>. We continued moving around Europe until I settled in Spain in 2018, where I started a career as a freelance content writer and journalist.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-to-germany-from-us-school-almost-deported-dont-regret-2023-11">Moving abroad for my degree</a> gave me the courage to pursue my own path. As I learned to figure out confusing visa situations, new cultures, and foreign language environments, I became more resilient and motivated in my career.Not having a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-pay-off-student-loan-debt-fast">student loan to pay off</a> was an added bonus.Got a personal essay about choosing to attend college outside the US that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com">akarplus@businessinsider.com</a>.

I'm an American who went to college in Canada. I'm debt-free — and I have no plans to move back to the US.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vaishali Gauba dreamed of being a journalist in the US but wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa. </li><li>Years later, Gauba secured a work visa in Canada after moving there to study. </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Vaishali Gauba, 29, about her experience navigating the US and Canadian immigration systems. Business Insider verified her visas. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-to-usa-denmark-pros-prefer-america-2024-3">moved to the US</a> when I was 17, with ambitions of being a journalist.I grew up in Gurugram, India, and moved to New Jersey in 2012 for my undergraduate degree. I studied journalism, media studies, and business management at Rutgers University.I worked with major US news outlets during and after college and wanted to keep working in America, but couldn't secure an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-startups-sponsor-h1b-work-visas-2024-1">H-1B work visa</a>. I returned to India feeling defeated. Five years later, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/english-man-moved-to-canada-loves-it-surprising-things-2023-10">relocated to Canada</a>.In Canada, I found a clearer path to securing a work permit, and I'm less worried about being uprooted by the immigration system.<h2 id="b6a8d628-2960-4ae2-bfa9-e6651b4da0a4">I interned at US media companies at university</h2>I came to the US on an F-1 visa, which is for full-time students.During my studies, I worked for the student newspaper, The Daily Targum, and also did news internships at CNBC, NBC, and CBS, which each lasted around four months.I remember having to get permission from international student services and the journalism department to do the internships, as there were restrictions around working off-campus for F-1 students. The work had to be related to my field of study.I remember feeling anxious about needing to get so many approvals to work as an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-employers-can-support-international-students-job-seekers-2022-3">international student</a>, but thankfully, I was permitted to do the internships.Working at big-name publications felt like a milestone, but it was also difficult to balance the internships with two college majors.<h2 id="76d690be-d407-4073-9d70-b7a3d889b3da">I wasn't able to secure an H-1B visa to stay in the US</h2>I became accustomed to the reality that anything related to my professional life required a lot of paperwork. I knew that to continue working in the US, I needed to apply for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ice-arrests-15-students-employed-fake-companies-to-stay-us-2020-10">optional practical training</a>, which allows F-1 students to work for a year in a field related to their studies.I graduated in May 2016, and after my OPT was approved, I started on the CBS Page Program, a rotational program for graduates.I had several assignments there, including on the evening news and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I talked with Stephen Colbert at the show's rooftop parties and saw many celebrities on the job.But my time there was limited. The Page Program lasted a year, around the time my OPT expired. After six months on the program, I asked CBS about the possibility of sponsoring me for an H-1B visa but was told they don't offer sponsorships.I didn't realize this when I started working there, but I wanted the experience and to work on my OPT, so I would have done the program regardless.I applied to other jobs, but many applications included a question about whether I'd need a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fake-name-resume-hired-guilty-2024-5">visa sponsorship</a> now or in the future. I felt that this one question was already filtering me out as a candidate and I wasn't getting called for interviews.I spoke with two lawyers about my options. They told me about the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ukraine-tech-culture-differences-2024-5">O-1 visa</a> for people with "extraordinary" ability in certain fields. I tried gathering references for the application, but as time went on, I felt my chances were slim.This is partly because the lawyers shared case studies of people who received O-1 visas with me, and I felt they were more arts-orientated than journalism-orientated. I felt the lawyers weren't confident I had a good chance, so I decided not to apply.Extended family members and lawyers suggested I continue my education to stay in the US on another F-1 visa. I eventually decided against this as I didn't think I could learn anything about news from a school program I wasn't already learning at CBS.<h2 id="f3fc1807-fde1-4bd6-b552-e9cd476f3cef">I went back to India feeling defeated</h2>I started to feel lost. I remember lashing out at my dad on the phone when he suggested I come home, but in the end, I had a gut feeling that it was time to return to India, so <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/left-us-for-northern-ireland-these-cultural-differences-surprised-me-2023-9">I left the US</a> in August 2017.It felt like a defeat. I knew I wanted to be a journalist in America, but I couldn't do it. I'd given so much to the US in terms of time, energy, and money, and it was hard to accept that I had to give up on it because of visa stuff.I spent the next five years in India, working in journalism before pivoting into a brand and communications position. In 2021, I began freelancing in PR and marketing strategy.I planned on doing a master's in digital media to boost my PR career. My boyfriend at the time, who's my husband now, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-sydney-australia-to-canada-pros-cons-2024-5">moved to Canada</a> for his MBA in 2021, so I started exploring master's options there.<h2 id="d34eb837-2609-4a93-ba9b-25683513eb6c">I've found the Canadian immigration system to be more immigrant-friendly</h2>I came to Canada on a study permit and started my master's program at Toronto Metropolitan University in September 2022.I applied for a work visa in September 2023 after finishing my studies. While it took a long time to get my study permit because of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cicnews.com/2023/12/breaking-canadian-parliament-committee-provides-recommendations-to-address-immigration-backlogs-1240610.html#gs.bm1bft">the backlog created by COVID-19</a>, the work visa process took less than a month and was fairly easy.Graduating from my master's program made me eligible for an open work permit, which isn't tied to a specific employer. I'm self-employed as a freelancer.Unlike the US <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/h1b-visa-lottery-changes-benefit-startups-hiring-immigrants-2024-2">H-1B process</a>, I didn't need an employer to sponsor me, and there was no lottery system.While I'm aware that some people have a hard time coming to Canada, my overall experience of Canadian immigration processes has been smooth. I feel it's more favorable to immigrants than the US processes.I couldn't get a work visa in the US, but there was a clearer and more stable path to getting one in Canada.When I left the US in 2017, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-first-week-as-president-2017-1">Donald Trump</a> had just become president. My understanding is that it's become <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-twitter-speak-out-against-trump-h1b-visa-freeze-2020-6">harder to get a work visa in the US</a> since.My work visa expires in October 2024, and I'm open to options for settling in Canada beyond that. Moving back to India is still a small possibility as my partner, and I have family there, but I like the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montreal-canada-city-low-cost-of-living-quality-of-life-2024-6">quality of life in Canada</a>, and I'm less concerned about my life being uprooted here than I was in the US.

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Carolina Villafuerte provides online therapy while traveling the world.</li><li>She makes it work by committing to early mornings and making sure she always she a steady internet connection.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/psicologia_florecer/">Carolina Villafuerte</a>, 32, a clinical psychologist who has been backpacking since December 2022. The essay has been edited for length and clarity.I'm the youngest in my family and was used to everyone taking care of me. Leaving my small town in Ecuador at 30 wasn't easy.But so many reasons compelled me to move. I was inspired by people who had traveled to my hometown to be digital nomads. I also felt that the best jobs in my country were working for the government, and it was hard to land them without connections or bribes.Before I moved, I became friends with a European couple who had moved to my hometown for a year. They taught me everything I needed to know about building an online presence — how to use hashtags, get followers, and find content people are interested in. I had studied to be a clinical psychologist and I used their advice to build an online therapy business.When I had a certain number of patients, I left home on a one-way ticket to travel the world.<div type="image" title="Girl in red jacket posing near Dutch windmills." height="1080" width="1440" msid="107900349" hostid="261" sizebytes="242500"></div>I left in December 2022 and have since traveled to Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, and most of Southeast Asia.I have 20 patients and I work 20 hours a week. I also spend some time each week planning and reading journals that my clients send me. I primarily work with people dealing with anxiety, depression, or burnout, and I charge $50 for an hour-long session.My clients are all Latin American because I find that it's not just about language, but being able to relate to their culture.There are some limitations to online therapy — I can't work with children or the elderly. Most of my clients are between 24 and 46.<h2>Life of limited flexibility</h2>Since my patients are across the world, I have to work unusual hours. I work three days a week from 4 a.m. until 1 p.m.I used to end my days at 5 p.m., and stay in one place for several days, which left very little room for exploring. Back then, I didn't know how to set up hotspots or organize my day by working early mornings.As a digital nomad, I always have something to worry about. I could never be one of those backpackers that say "it doesn't matter if we are sleeping in a tent, it doesn't matter if we don't find a hostel" because I always need the internet.<div type="image" title="Girl sitting on a cliff near an island." height="360" width="480" msid="107900350" hostid="261" sizebytes="33084"></div>I travel with a laptop because a phone is not enough to store all my patients' archives. I also bring along two batteries.I plan all my trips and activities around my calls. My trips get expensive because I book flights last minute. Being from Ecuador, I need visas for most places and there is no guarantee of when those will arrive.Moving all the time and sleeping in a different place every night is hard, too. You make a lot of friends backpacking but the connections are not deep because you likely won't ever see them again.I have been backpacking for just over a year, but I feel tired already.<h2>Having a steady income</h2>Because I have a constant stream of income, I'm not dipping into the $10,000 I saved for emergencies. I can also afford to forgo tight budgeting — I eat where I want to eat, and don't always choose the cheapest hostels.If I feel like my social battery is draining, I book hotels where I can have a room to myself. On my last trip to Vietnam, I was able to give myself a three-week break because I had saved enough.I'm currently in the Philippines, and am going to Vietnam for a month to slow down before deciding where I go next.

I'm backpacking the world while working as an online therapist. I have a steady income, but I'm exhausted.

The US has received sufficient number of applications needed to reach the <keyword id="10784391" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="congressionally" source="Orion">Congressionally</keyword> mandated 65,000 H1-B <keyword id="6359421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa" source="Orion">visa</keyword> cap for the fiscal year 2023, the country's federal agency for immigration services said on Tuesday. The <keyword id="6358066" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="h-1b-visa" source="Orion">H-1B visa</keyword> is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire thousands of employees each year from countries like <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> and China. The H-1B visa programme is the most sought-after work visa among foreign professionals, including Indians. We have received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa US advanced degree exemption, known as the master's cap, for fiscal year 2023, the <keyword id="368921" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="us-citizenship-and-immigration-services" source="Orion">US Citizenship and Immigration Services</keyword> (<keyword id="137642" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="uscis" source="Orion">USCIS</keyword>) said in a statement. USCIS has completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants' online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for the FY 2023 H-1B numerical allocations, but that were not selected, will now show, Not Selected: Not selected not eligible to file an H-1B cap petition based on this registration, it said. Meanwhile, the federal agency will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap, it said. Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2023 H-1B cap, it said. However, USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the US, change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers, allow current H-1B workers to change employers, and allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in additional H-1B positions, it added. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/10000-investment-in-gensol-engineering-ev-stock-gave-2-77-lakh-return-in-a-year/articleshow/93740070.cms">This EV firm rose 2600% in a year: ₹10,000 invested in this stock a year ago is worth ₹2.77 lakh</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/dreamfolks-services-ipo-opens-today-check-out-important-details-related-to-the-ipo/articleshow/93740178.cms">DreamFolks Services IPO opens today — Check out important details related to the IPO</a>

US has reached the H-1B visa limit for the financial year of 2023

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Abigail DeGuzman moved to the US for a better life, but struggled to balance work and family. </li><li>The mother of four prioritized her demanding job over spending time with her children, </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Abigail DeGuzman, a 49-year-old IT director at Strategic Connection from Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. It's been edited for length and clarity.I've been working for the same company for nearly 22 years and am now the director of the fast-paced IT department responsible for employees worldwide. During certain times of the year, we're a nearly 24/7 operation, so it can be <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-paying-jobs-for-people-who-thrive-under-pressure-2016-3">very stressful and demanding</a>.I'm also a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-got-divorced-after-13-years-new-home-brought-joy-2022-11">divorced mother to four kids</a>. I wanted so badly to provide for my children and sacrificed so much to ensure they had everything they needed for a good life. But in the process, I lost the chance to be their mother in the ways that mattered most.<h2 id="5831de17-4fa0-4937-84e2-ddf287c5cae1">I moved to the US alone to make a better life for my family</h2>In 2000, I landed a job with a big IT consulting company and moved from the Philippines to the US as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tech-software-developers-job-seekers-high-paying-work-opportunities-2024-6">a programmer on an H1-B visa</a>. My visa didn't cover my three-year-old son and then-husband, so I would have to leave them behind in the Philippines. I was determined to build a better future for my family, so I packed my bags and embarked on a 21-hour flight.I remember crying as the plane took off. I instantly regretted my decision because I knew my son needed me. But I calmed myself, remembering that to give my son a better life, I had to at least try to succeed here.I tried calling my son and his father once a week since long-distance calls were very expensive back then. The following year, I was able to sponsor them to join me in the US, and they moved into my small apartment in Atlanta.The first couple of months were especially hard for my son. He would <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-how-prevent-toddler-tantrums-big-little-feelings-experts-2024-4">cry every night at bedtime</a>, looking out the blinds for the familiar faces he used to see every day and begging me to take him back to his "mommy," his grandmother, which broke my heart. He hardly spoke any English and was beginning to understand how different life was here. Seeing him struggle, I felt pangs of guilt.<h2 id="9b96d3af-f6e3-4f45-9c08-53002eef1802">My husband stayed home, and I found it difficult to fulfill my role as a mother.</h2>We moved from Atlanta to Pennsylvania when my son was 4 for my current job.In Filipino culture, women are expected to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-left-high-paying-job-stay-home-with-her-kids-2022-12">stay home and take care</a> of their husbands and children. But in the early days, my husband wasn't allowed to work on his dependent visa. By the time he got his work visa a couple of years later, our family had grown — our second child was born in 2005, the third in 2007, and the fourth in 2010.The chances of my husband getting a job that would pay enough to cover the cost of childcare were very low. The demands of my job were high, so it felt like an easy decision that I would continue to work while <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-provider-stay-at-home-dad-husband-kids-2024-1">he stayed home to take care of the kids</a>.I thought having my husband stay home to take care of the kids would compensate for my absence, but I was wrong. My children needed their mother, and I needed my children.<h2 id="ba86273e-bbb2-411d-833c-cef425158df6">The emotional strain was very difficult</h2>My husband was diligent in making sure the kids were fed, their diapers were changed, and they were safe, but the emotional strain on all of us was immense.Our first daughter saw her younger siblings as rivals for the scarce attention she received from me. She'd cry excessively and could only be soothed by me. A couple of years after moving to Pennsylvania, I was able to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dream-job-in-office-work-full-time-flexibility-benefits-2024-3">start working remotely</a>, and she couldn't understand why I was just in the other room yet couldn't come to her every time she needed me. Our fourth child also had extra needs because of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/my-kids-have-adhd-what-learned-from-experts-2022-5">his ADHD</a> and speech impediment.I often found myself torn between my responsibilities as a mother and the demands of my job. I distinctly remember once when I couldn't make it to my son's school activities. I felt guilty that I couldn't go, but felt that if I didn't work, our dream of making it in the US would be over. The balance I tried so hard to achieve seemed impossible.Although working from home has a lot of perks, I struggled with switching off my frustrations and stress from work. The pressure and heavy responsibilities at work often left me exhausted, with little time for my family.My kids often saw my irritability and exhaustion. When I was focused on work and they needed my attention, I would redirect them to ask their dad instead. I never scolded them for talking to me, but sometimes they felt I was being dismissive and inattentive to their needs. They learned not to approach me when I was on a phone call or working, or if I was stressed after getting off work.<h2 id="3e4b4a52-9ad4-458f-b893-dcdfd793f3af">My kids don't feel comfortable opening up to me</h2>My husband and I tried to make our marriage work for the sake of our kids, but eventually, we <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wife-and-i-divorced-relationship-wound-down-2023-7">decided to end it in 2018</a>.My children, who are now between the ages of 14 to 26, say they aren't comfortable opening up to me and only feel safe confiding in their dad. That realization was the biggest blow.The guilt and sadness I feel knowing that I missed out on their emotional needs is overwhelming. My heart breaks every time I think about the moments I could've been there for them, offering comfort and love, but instead, I was focused on my work responsibilities.My children faced challenges — three have experienced anxiety and needed therapy, and my youngest has ADHD and a stutter.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mom-took-6-year-old-to-family-therapy-2022-7">We started family therapy</a> in 2019 for a few months, and all of us benefited from it. Sitting in sessions with my children has given me a full perspective on how I failed to separate my work and personal life. I realize now that all those years, I was bringing my stress and fear from work into my family life. I passed many of my negative emotions on to them.It took me many years and an ex-husband to realize that work and family life should be balanced, and I now feel the guilt of being absent and not being a safe, comforting, and nurturing place for them.<h2 id="3708361a-a289-4082-99ad-06b355a490ad">I'm working on my relationships with all of my kids</h2>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-caregiver-father-distance-working-mom-guilt-shame-2024-2">guilt lingers</a>, but it also fuels my commitment to change.I'm catching up on building the emotional connection I missed out on all those years. There's still a lot of work to do in connecting with them. Knowing that the person they felt safe with is no longer living with us, I work extra hard to regain their trust.I can never get back those missed opportunities to bond with my children and protect them from the negative emotions they experienced because of me. All I can do now is move forward and maintain a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-work-life-balance-advice-boss-lessons-job-2024-1">healthy balance between work and home life</a>. Spending time with my children is as important as ensuring my work is good.I now have a more manageable work schedule, which allows me to make a strong effort to connect with my kids every day. One of my daughters is in college and living in a dorm, and we have a FaceTime date every Friday at 2 p.m. We talk about everything going on in her school life, and I share what's happening in mine. Staying in touch like this really benefits both of us.The road ahead is daunting. The bond I failed to nurture while I was consumed by work now needs to be mended. I see the hesitation in their eyes when they want to approach me, since they grew up understanding the boundaries of not interrupting me when I was working.I want to be their rock, their confidant, the one they turn to when the world feels too heavy. I hug them, tell them I love them every day, and make sure they know I'm here for them.I know we can't turn back time and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/got-divorced-after-three-decades-marriage-2023-7">the divorce brought major changes</a> to our lives, but it ultimately brought us closer than ever. I now have a strong relationship with my kids. We laugh more, play video games, and pray together. Much of this is thanks to family therapy, a good relationship with my new husband, their stepdad, and our shared faith.I'm willing to do whatever it takes to show them that I can be their safe place, their home. The most important thing is maintaining a constant connection and finding ways to enjoy each other, today and every day in the future, no matter how old they get.If you faced difficulties balancing a demanding job and parenting and would like to share your story, email Jane Zhang at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:janezhang@businessinsider.com">janezhang@businessinsider.com</a>.

I gave more attention to my demanding job than to raising my 4 kids. I'm heartbroken over what it cost me.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Lisa Peroni, who worked in government for 32 years, was due 90% of her wages after retiring.</li><li>She wanted out of the rat race before her planned retirement at 65, when she'd qualify for the cash.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lisa Speroni. It has been edited for length and clarity.I quit my government job in January 2022, two months after returning from a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/underrated-european-countries-for-summer-travel-better-than-tourist-favorites-2024-5">European vacation</a> with my son, Ryan. I was about to turn 55."Are you crazy?" a coworker asked. "Have you thought this through?" they said. I lost count of the people who said I'd lose a big chunk of my pension <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/planned-retirement-until-discovered-fire-2024-04">if I didn't retire at 65</a>."I know," I replied. "But this life isn't for me anymore, and I'm moving to Italy."If I could have suffered through the next 10 years, I'd have qualified for a pension until death that was 90% of my $110,000 salary.Still, money isn't everything. The thought of staying in the rat race until 2032 was appalling. I was an IT project manager in the Social Services Department of the State of California. It meant being on call 24/7. If there were an emergency at 2 a.m., I'd get a text.<h2 id="e1b65af9-ce2d-465d-803d-e1a8b1f0ad2e">Ryan could get Italian citizenship because his dad was Italian</h2>My son and I hadn't fared well during COVID either. We rented an apartment in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sacramento-man-built-two-apartments-backyard-adu-passive-income-2024-5">downtown Sacramento</a>, which used to be bustling. Then, everyone started working from home. It was dead, and I didn't feel safe.Ryan's dad, from whom I'm divorced, is Italian but born in the US. Ryan <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-from-america-to-italy-citizenship-usa-best-choice-divorced-2022-8">qualified for Italian citizenship</a> if he wanted to apply for it.<div type="image" title="A bespectacled mom and her son take a selfie. She is carrying a bouquet of sunflowers." height="960" width="1280" msid="112380033" hostid="261" sizebytes="234558"></div>He got excited about learning the language and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/language-learning-app-tandem-pitch-deck-5-million-2020-7">signed up for the Tandem app</a>, where people of different nationalities teach each other. Before long, he arranged to visit some friends he'd met on the app in Florence.Ryan, who runs a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=0addc68ec6c807067fc4ea34bed628e756f9d436065334585b0114ade2b10e95&amp;postID=66b3949ae3c9582388ca5c4f&amp;postSlug=woman-retired-to-italy-at-55-despite-reducing-pension-2024-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etsy.com%2Fshop%2FSperoAccessories">niche menswear company</a>, went for two months in the summer of 2021. He said I'd love the place. I flew to the city for a two-week vacation. The experience changed everything.I enjoy watercolor painting, and the art, architecture, and laid-back café society blew me away. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flornce-italy-uffizi-galleries-museum-on-tiktok-2020-6">I toured the Uffizi galleries</a> with an art history professor from a university near Florence. I gazed at the statue of Medusa in the main square.My return was depressing. When we left the airplane, we had to wear masks because the air was thick with smoke from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-northern-california-wildfires-spreading-out-of-control-2021-8">the raging wildfires at the time</a>.<h2 id="ccc542b6-812c-40e1-b908-8446be0adf22">My parents gave their blessing for us to move to Italy</h2>I felt stifled — physically and metaphorically. Whenever I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-to-record-zoom-meeting">did a Zoom call </a>with Ryan in Italy, he'd say, "Are you OK, Mom? You don't look well." It was a combination of health problems — I'd been plagued by gastrointestinal issues for years, needing 30 surgeries — and the fear of going into debt.Even though I was earning six figures, I got <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-score/does-medical-debt-affect-credit-score">medical bills stamped "past due."</a> My car needed $1,000 in repairs, which I put on my credit card, which charged 22% interest.My parents sometimes helped me out because I was struggling to afford gas and my $2,400 rent plus utilities. Groceries were five times as expensive as in Italy, and I had no savings.One day, I started crying on a Zoom with Ryan, then 26. "I don't want to stay here anymore," I said. We went back and forth about the decision, writing the pros and cons of moving to Italy. The only con was missing my folks. But Mom told me to go for it. "You're at the time of your life when you deserve adventure," she said.<div type="image" title="A mother and son in a selfie showing the Amalfi coast in the background." height="960" width="1280" msid="112380031" hostid="261" sizebytes="85334"></div>We sold our stuff or put it in storage. The paperwork in Italy was complicated, especially getting Ryan's citizenship. I qualified for a visa as a close family member.We flew to Italy many times, visiting different areas to decide where to settle. Turin was a possibility in the north. Then, a friend introduced us to Salerno <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-should-never-do-amalfi-coast-italy-from-local-2024-5">on the Amalfi Coast</a>. We fell in love with this little city on the sea and permanently moved in August 2023. Our spacious, two-bedroom apartment costs $800 a month, and we can eat good, fresh food for just $10 a day.<h2 id="90d2a720-9b08-4ba6-9b3f-e1147df2380b">I love how the different generations interact in Italy</h2>Ryan and I think nothing of traveling to Rome to stay for a few days. We don't have a car, which is our preference. I've lost 50 pounds, mostly by walking. I chalk up as many as 20,000 steps a day.Meanwhile, one of my favorite activities is people-watching. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/living-multigenerational-home-lessons-pateince-openness-death-2024-3">Families of all generations</a> — babies and toddlers to 90-year-olds — stroll along the streets. After sunset, they go in together for dinner. It's common for adult children to live with their parents so our situation is not unusual.As for my finances, I get a California pension that's about $25,000 less than the annual amount I'd have received at 65. I don't care about that. I finally have savings and so much less stress.Do you have an interesting story about retiring outside your native country that you'd like to share with Business Insider? Please send details to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:jridley@insider.com">jridley@businessinsider.com</a>.

You Searched For "m 1 nonimmigrant visas" and got 10 results

I'm a college student who pays nearly $1,000 in annual fees for 4 credit cards. It's worth it for good credit and travel perks.

Lauren Crosby Medlicott

I got my green card after working at Microsoft on an H-1B visa. The process was very painful, but I love the US and don't plan to leave.

Elle Hardy

US student visa restrictions may be eased slightly to help foreign non-immigrant students

Prerna Sindwani

I quit my corporate job and moved to Europe to become a freelance copywriter. It's been challenging, but I'm glad I stuck it out.

Dalia Goldberg

I'm an American who went to college in Canada. I'm debt-free — and I have no plans to move back to the US.

Dalia Goldberg

I lost my dream job in the US because I couldn't get a work visa. In Canada, the pathway has been much smoother.

Charissa Cheong

I'm backpacking the world while working as an online therapist. I have a steady income, but I'm exhausted.

Shubhangi Goel

US has reached the H-1B visa limit for the financial year of 2023

PTI

I gave more attention to my demanding job than to raising my 4 kids. I'm heartbroken over what it cost me.

Robin Madell

I quit my job at 55 and moved to Italy for retirement. I lost my incredible pension, but I'm so much happier now.

Jane Ridley

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