Those who are on H-1B, share your experience

[Saurabh Pillai]

Hello Friends,

It's less than a week i have been in USA.But I don't enjoy here.Because,

- I don't have project right now and my room mates have (they have been here since 2 months). So i have that bad,ugly feeling of being unemployed. I have never been unemployed before.I got selected in college campus interview.I am technically good too,not only luck.

- I have never been out of my home for academic/job purpose. So i do have home sickness too. I do cry sometimes because of this.

- The other problem is the food problem. I don't have any experience in cooking too. In USA it's required because everyday you don't like/afford McDonalds/Taco bell.

On the positive side here the environment is quite good. no pollution, clean roads etc. But here you will definitely feel alone.You won't find people gathered at cross roads in the night for gossiping. Nobody cares/interfere in others matter. I really miss india.

Hope soon i will get the JOB and will spend more time in project work so this crappy thoughts go away.

Others can also show what they feel.

[Romit Bose]

Hello Saurabh,
First, congrats for getting posted in USA, one of the most sought job destinations in the world. Saurabh, my job (projects and deputations) has taken me to various parts of India. Right now I am in Singapore, and what you feel right now is almost similar to what I used to feel in my early days away from home. But I found that in a way, moving out from home for a while is good because-
1) It is a great learning experience
2) You get to meet nw people, make new friends, see new places.

I am sure you will take it in your strides and feel good about it in a few days.
Tips : (Although this may sound crazy, but it works....)Wake up early, and go out for jogging. Don't just jog; RUN, with your full energy !!! You will feel a lot better after each run! And exactly as you are expecting, this phase will pass away as soon as you join office.
GOOD LUCK!

[santhoshkumar samala]

saurabh this phase is common for everyone who come to US on H1

- I don't have project right now and my room mates have (they have been here since 2 months). So i have that bad,ugly feeling of being unemployed. I have never been unemployed before.I got selected in college campus interview.I am technically good too,not only luck.

Iam sure that even before entering into US, you know about this phase, as you said you have already got some experience in india, you should even know the fact that getting job doesnt completely depend on your technical knowledge.

you can use this idle time to improve your technical knowledge and prepare for certifications, dont compare with your room mates as every individual is different, if you get one lucky day you will get a job, dont worry much about the job, but worry about improving your knowledge.

I have never been out of my home for academic/job purpose. So i do have home sickness too. I do cry sometimes because of this.

- The other problem is the food problem. I don't have any experience in cooking too. In USA it's required because everyday you don't like/afford McDonalds/Taco bell.

try to learn cooking, this is the best oppurtunity for you to learn more about life.

[Saurabh Pillai]

Thanks Romit and Santosh.
Finger crossed.

[Ulf Dittmer]

I don't have project right now

I wouldn't advertise that fact too loudly. It used to be that if you hold an H1B visa but don't have work, you're required to leave the country within 60 days. Not sure if that's still the case, but what the INS (or whatever it's called these days) might do if they found out about this is anyone's guess.

[krish pan]

Saurabh,
MAN I am dying to go to USA and you are crying there ? In fact you are very lucky ! You should enjoy.
You had a great opportunity to stay and work in a different culture. You can learn a lot there. The temporary phase you are not on project will definitely go. Best try to utilize this time in studying. Since later once you get on project, you won't find time for study.

Alternately try doing these things.
* Learning cook food. (every one needs to before going to US- I had started learning.)
* Learning American accent (American English)
* Learning things about the new culture (just by observation)
* studying
* exercise
* other entertainment which is possible for you.

In fact I strongly feel that what�s the point in staying in the same country (India) all our lives, we should go and look the world outside as well.

[Mark Herschberg]

Originally posted by krish pan:
The temporary phase you are not on project will definitely go.

I am not quite certain that is true. The US is facing the worst economic crisis since the great depression. We're already seeing the highest level of unemployment in 5 years. Both IT projects and outside contracts are quick to be cut in such an environment. If I were an H1-B right now, even staffed on a project, I'd be concerned.

--Mark

[Rajeev Ravindran]

since you are in US do the basic things done. check this one

H1B Alien

Thanks,

[Saurabh Pillai]

Originally posted by Rajeev Ravindran:
since you are in US do the basic things done. check this one

H1B Alien

Thanks,

Hey Rajeev,

Thanks man.It's really helpful.

[harry yakinmire]

- The other problem is the food problem. I don't have any experience in cooking too. In USA it's required because everyday you don't like/afford McDonalds/Taco bell.

I have a quick fix for you- learn an easy but tasty spaghetti sauce recipe, buy lots and lots of two minute noodles(buy direct from a factory if you can) and find a cheap cereal that tastes good and you have a low cost food budget that won't require much cooking.

oh and you need a microwave for the noodles if you haven't already got one

[Saurabh Pillai]

Thanks for you fix. But we can't make this a schedule for everyday?

[Maneesh Godbole]

I wish this was in MD so I could let myself go.

[Saurabh Pillai]

Maneesh,

Initially i have posted it in MD only. So that i can get more replies. But it has been moved into Job Discussion.

I know that we (H1B people) have lot to say. You can share it.

[Saurabh Pillai]

Here in Lansdale,PA,USA there are couple of things that you have to have in your day to day life.Like

Car - without car you are literally handicap. Here everything is so far that you can't do that all without a car. I don't know why i find very few people walking down the road. And generally, you will find only one person in the car and that the one who drives it. No concept like carpooling. People should find some better solution.

I found a stripe with some number like (08 11, 03 12)labeled on the windscreen. What's the use of it?

Credit Card - There are certain shops where they don't accept other than credit card or a change problem.

Cell phone - This is obvious and i guess it's same as in india.

You are welcomed to add.

[Gabriel Claramunt]

I'm not in a H-1 and I'm not from India, but I lived in other countries.
Until you adjust to the new environment, moving to a new country is very stressful specially when everything is very different of what are you used to: the language, the culture, the environment, the food, the smells... one of the ways the body has for releasing that stress is crying (even more if you compound it with homesickness ). It happened to me too
In my case, while moving to US, the shock was less because the culture/environment is not THAT different (and probably now I have a little more experience on living as an "expat"), but still, there's some "adjustment" period where you feel kinda of lost.
But after a while, when you get used to the new environment, interact with the local people, know their culture better, you start enjoying it, and you gain new insights and points of views that let you see your own country in a different light... and you grow
[ October 15, 2008: Message edited by: Gabriel Claramunt ]

[Mark Herschberg]

I'm am shocked that there is not a social network dedicated to H1-B's in the US. (There may be and I'm not aware of it if not, here's a good startup company for someone.)

What makes me think of this is that when I work in other cities (granted I haven't spent significant time outside the US, I've only been out on vacation) I immediate go through my network to see who I know in the area. Even if I don't know anyone currently, I may know people who used to live there and probably have friends there. I also belong to some organizations and social networks that let me meet people in other geographies. Groups like meetup.com and Yahoo Groups let you find local activites groups. Through all these means you can meet local people you're likely to get along with, i.e. friends, friends of friends, and those with similar interests. Having a good local social group (meaning a real, physical group of people and not simply online friends) will help your adjustment.

--Mark

[Luke Kolin]

Originally posted by Mark Herschberg:
I'm am shocked that there is not a social network dedicated to H1-B's in the US.

Apart from not being American, what do H-1Bs have in common?

Cheers!

Luke

[Mark Herschberg]

Originally posted by Luke Kolin:

Apart from not being American, what do H-1Bs have in common?

* strangers in a strange land
* visa and immigration issues
* international relationships (family, friends, loved ones)
* educated skilled workers
* One quarter come from India and many from Asia (there are lots of other interesting statistics, too)

[Jyothsna Panchagnula]

Hi Saurabh

I can understand whats going on with you.. but let me tell you one thing.. though you hear that the market is bad , its tough to get a job blah blah etc..a positive framework of attitude will always fetch you better results.
as others said this is the good time to improve techincally as well as personally.

If I put myself in your shoes I shall try to motivate myself by reading those books which boost my confidence always.

Dont loose hope , keep trying even when you hear all the negatives.
I am sure that you will certainly get a job!!!

All the best

regards,
Jyothsna

[Saurabh Pillai]

Originally posted by Jyothsna Panchagnula:
I am sure that you will certainly get a job!!!

All the best

regards,
Jyothsna

So Nice of you, Jyothsna
Thanks very much for your kind words. This has really boost my self confidence.
I love india and miss it...