21-year-old Indian engineering student compares life in India with cousin's abroad: Reveals intriguing observations on quality of life

In a remarkable Reddit post that rapidly became viral, a 21-year-old engineering student from Gujarat exposed the stark difference between her life in India and that of her cousin, who had moved to the United Kingdom seven years back. The sentimental but introspective post, titled "Is life in western countries actually better than in India?", has brought about a greater debate regarding the quality of life, education system, work ethics, and avenues for Indian youth—particularly women.

The two women have the same background—close in age, academically qualified, and enthusiastic about engineering. Beyond that, the similarities stop. The Redditor, who remained in India, presented a grim report of her educational and professional life. Battling overwrought college coursework, unengaging teaching practices, and a scarcity of internship opportunities, she chronicled a life overshadowed by extended working hours, paltry stipends, and social disapproval for failing to pass the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

“I worked 10 hours a day during my last internship for just ₹12,000 a month, plus an hour-long commute,” she wrote, adding that many better opportunities are reserved for college toppers, making the system feel rigged against average students.

Wales: Where Average is Enough

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, her cousin's life is different. Currently pursuing aerospace engineering at the elite University of Bath, the cousin has already landed two lucrative internships, been offered a job by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and toured Europe with her university's Formula 1 student team.

"Neither is she a topper," the Redditor clarified. "But there, you don't need to be in the top 1% to live well." The post complimented the UK's education system for its practical learning style and open extracurricular environment—opportunities that are usually lacking in India's strictly academic setup.

While some of the users of the internet criticized the post for idealizing life overseas, others supported her opinions, mentioning improved air and water quality, rule-following societies, safer streets for women, and trust-based and efficient systems.

One Belgian user provided insight as a first-generation immigrant, saying Europe's healthcare, social justice system, and merit-based employment were objectively superior. "Even mediocre students with 60% can get good jobs here," they said, in contrast with India's competitive and sometimes discriminatory system.

The post doesn't simply contrast two lives—it captures the hopes and fears of a generation raised in the shadow of world possibilities. It challenges systemic imbalances, provokes ideas of success, and makes readers reflect on where India is in caring for its young. While the young engineer's musings might be based on personal experience, her tale has struck a chord far and wide—serving as a mirror for Indians everywhere trapped in the grind of "meritocracy" with no rewards. It's not so much about the West doing things better; it's about what else India could do.