Oxford Law graduate chooses India over his career in the UK
Indian student Niyati has revealed why she plans to return to her homeland just two months after graduating from Oxford University with a law degree, even though she has the option of building a career in the UK.She explained in a video clip she posted on Instagram that her decision was not driven by uncertainty or lack of opportunities abroad, but rather by a conscious effort to avoid regret in the future.
While she described her time in the UK as enjoyable and said she might return one day, she made it clear that settling there was never her ultimate goal.“My main goal has always been to get a good education, not to emigrate,” she said, stressing that her journey abroad had a clear goal from the beginning.
Why did returning to India feel right?
Although remaining in the UK and pursuing a legal career was still a viable path, Niyati said she felt a stronger pull towards India – particularly because of her commitment to Pratisandhi, an initiative in which she was deeply invested.She explained that not returning home and giving the initiative a fair chance to grow would likely lead to regret in the long run. For her, the opportunity to contribute meaningfully in India outweighs the appeal of an established career path abroad.
Her decision reflects a growing sentiment among some Indian students abroad – prioritizing influence and personal alignment over traditional definitions of success.
“I don’t know what the future holds”
Niyati admitted that her decision comes with uncertainty. She admitted that she could not predict whether returning to India would ultimately prove to be the “right” choice.However, she stressed that her guiding principle remains clear: make decisions you are unlikely to regret in the long run.
What is “regret minimization”?
At the heart of Niyati’s decision is the idea of minimizing regret, a framework promoted by Jeff Bezos when he decided to leave a stable job to start Amazon.The concept is simple but powerful: imagine yourself in the future (often at an older age) and ask if you would regret not taking a certain step. Instead of being guided by short-term fears or doubts, the focus shifts to long-term achievement.For many, this approach encourages taking calculated risks and making choices aligned with deeper values rather than straightforward convenience.
