Kamal Ghorui
Oxford law graduate picks India over UK career
An Indian student, Niyati, has shared why she plans to return home just two months after graduating from University of Oxford with a law degree, despite having the option to build a career in the United Kingdom.In a video posted on Instagram, she explained that her decision is not driven by uncertainty or lack of opportunity abroad, but by a conscious effort to avoid future regret.While she described her time in the UK as fulfilling and said she may return someday, she clarified that settling there was never her end goal.“My primary aim was always to get a quality education, not to immigrate,” she said, highlighting that her journey abroad had a clear purpose from the start.
Why returning to India felt right
Although staying back and pursuing a legal career in the UK remained a viable path, Niyati said she felt a stronger pull toward India—particularly due to her commitment to Pratisandhi, an initiative she is deeply invested in.She explained that not returning home and giving the initiative a fair chance to grow would likely lead to long-term regret. For her, the opportunity to contribute meaningfully in India outweighed the appeal of an established career track overseas.Her decision reflects a growing sentiment among some Indian students abroad—prioritising impact and personal alignment over conventional definitions of success.
“I don’t know what the future holds”
Niyati acknowledged that her decision comes with uncertainty. She admitted she cannot predict whether returning to India will ultimately prove to be the “right” choice.However, she emphasised that her guiding principle remains clear—making decisions she is less likely to regret in the long run.
What is “regret minimisation”?
At the core of Niyati’s decision is the idea of regret minimisation—a framework popularised 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 whether you would regret not taking a particular step. Instead of being guided by short-term fears or uncertainties, the focus shifts to long-term fulfilment.For many, this approach encourages taking calculated risks and making choices aligned with deeper values rather than immediate comfort.
