hen you talk to young people these days, they express a desire to study abroad. When asked why, they often say that they see no future in the country. They want to study overseas and eventually, settle there permanently. This is what many of them believe. And it’s not just the youth who think this way. Their parents also want their children to go to Europe, the US, Canada or Australia for higher education and settle there. Parents argue that rather than keeping their children close and seeing them struggle with unemployment, anxiety and stress, it is better to see them happy and successful in another country. There, they can earn a good living and support their families, including their ageing parents. Whether they achieve that success abroad is another story. The reality of their experiences can be quite different and more complex than many people might realise.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 240 million. A significant portion of this population is young – 64 percent under the age of 30 and 29 percent between 15 and 29 years old. According to a survey by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 62 percent of young Pakistani men aged 15 to 24 wish to leave the country. But going abroad is not easy for Pakistani youth. Most of them lack detailed information and are unable to apply to foreign universities independently. They often end up paying high fees to education and visa consultants. Additionally, university and college fees, along with living expenses, can be quite substantial. To cover these costs, parents often sell their assets – land and jewellery – hoping that once their child is educated and settled abroad, they will send money back home, allowing the family to rebuild these assets.

On the other hand, when Pakistani students arrive in foreign countries, they are often faced with a different reality. Many are burdened with the high expectations of their families back home, who hope that they will soon start sending money by doing odd jobs. There is often a misconception that earning money abroad is easy. These students quickly realise that the path to financial stability is fraught with challenges. Balancing rigorous academic demands with part-time jobs, navigating a new cultural landscape and dealing with the emotional strain of being away from home can be overwhelming. This pressure can lead to significant stress as they strive to fulfill their aspirations and those of their families.

While studying, they often have to work taking part-time jobs to meet their living expenses. Some of them manage to send money back home. This frequently involves taking on odd jobs. Balancing academic responsibilities with work commitments can be incredibly challenging, leaving them exhausted and under constant pressure.

According to a survey by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, 62 percent of Pakistani men aged 15 to 24 wish to leave the country. But going abroad is not easy for Pakistani youth.

The News on Sunday spoke to a Pakistani student, Naveed Hassan, in Europe who shared the struggles of self-financed students. “We often call ourselves majboor (helpless) students,” he said. “If a student comes from a low- or middle-class background, they are likely to have arrived here after borrowing from family and friends or selling family assets.”

“Soon after they land here, their focus shifts from studies to earning money to pay off the loans. They often do odd jobs at restaurants, as security guards, etc. Balancing work and study is extremely tough. Many of us sleep only 4-5 hours a night. Completing our studies is a challenge. Some of us don’t manage it. Returning home feels impossible due to the shame it would bring, so we continue doing these jobs rather than face that stigma.”

Students who go abroad on scholarships live in relative comfort. If you come from a financially sound family, it is even better.

An important aspect of the experience of Pakistani students is the challenge they face upon returning to their home country. TNS spoke to Atif Sohail, a student who recently returned to Rawalpindi after completing his studies abroad. “Everyone I meet asks, ‘When are you going back?’ When I tell them I am not, at first, they don’t believe me and then question why I returned to Pakistan in the first place. They ask what will I do in Pakistan?”

This reaction highlights the societal pressure and the perceived lack of opportunities in Pakistan compared to abroad.

Hamza Shahzad returned home to Rawalpindi from England a year ago. “I completed my studies and worked abroad for a few years but had to come back to be with my ageing parents. Since my return, I have struggled to find a job. Everyone says naukri reference say milti hai (you get jobs through connections).”

“I apply for numerous jobs but don’t get shortlisted. Even when I get a call for an interview, I’m frequently told that I lack experience in Pakistan. This is incredibly frustrating.” Shahzad is still job hunting.

“We had experience abroad. We learnt to adapt to diverse cultures, handle various challenges and have gained a global perspective. The local job market doesn’t value any of that. It feels like all the hard work we did to study abroad counts for nothing here.”

Pakistani youth find themselves in a fix – lacking opportunities at home and facing significant challenges to work abroad. Upon returning, reintegration into the society and a discouraging job market, leaves them socially and economically marginalised.

This underscores the wider problem young people face in unfulfilled expectations and inadequate support as they strive to create a brighter future.

The author is a communications specialist and a writer based in Rawalpindi. He can be reached at: qureshiwaqas@gmail.com. His X handle: @qureshiwaqasA