My father saved for years so I could work in the US. Losing my job forced me to start over in Germany.
An Indian bioprocess scientist shares her experience of moving to the US for a master's degree and working in Chicago before being forced to relocate to Germany due to H-1B visa challenges. The article highlights the personal and professional impact of US immigration policies on skilled international workers.
Why it matters
It illustrates the 'brain drain' phenomenon and the real-world consequences of restrictive visa policies on the US tech and science labor market.
Ananya Joshi moved from Chicago to Germany because of visa issues. Ananya Joshi Ananya Joshi, a bioprocess scientist, moved from India to the US in 2022 to pursue her master's degree. After graduating and working in Chicago, she left the US after her employer couldn't sponsor her for an H-1B visa. Now, she's working in Germany and thinking about starting her own company in India. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ananya Joshi, a 26-year-old Indian national who lost her job in 2025, had to exit the US because of her visa status, and moved to Germany for a new opportunity. It has been edited for length and clarity. I inherited the American dream from my father, who wanted to go to the US but lacked the financial means.
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