Nepali Man’s Perspective On Post-Grad Life
You graduate. You think things will get easier. But they don’t — not socially, and definitely not professionally.
For Ayush, a bioinformatics professional, graduating didn’t just mean stepping into a career. It meant moving states, losing his college support system, and learning how to be his own emotional and logistical lifeline.
From Full Classrooms to Empty Apartments
“In college, I could talk to anyone. But after graduating, everything changed.”
Ayush moved from Seattle to Rhode Island for a new job. It wasn’t just a new chapter — it was isolation on hard mode.
“I moved with five suitcases. Drove from Seattle to Providence. Booked a two-bedroom apartment. I knew just one guy. That’s it.”
He worked from home, then walked alone into a quiet research lab every day. No coworkers around. No casual conversations. Just silence.
“Fridays, one guy would stop by for food. Other than that, I had nothing going on.”
Eventually, he found a few Nepalis. A group of four or five began hanging out in his apartment — singing, playing guitar, decompressing. That helped. But the contrast from college life was real.
The Post-Grad Social Cliff
“The hardest part? The drop from college social life to zero. That’s tough.”
Ayush says: If you’re a social butterfly, do not live alone after college.
“I need people around. So I suggest getting a roommate. Anyone. It doesn’t matter. Just don’t isolate yourself.”
Even if you’re independent, Ayush emphasizes that loneliness can creep up fast — especially when you’re in a new city with no default community.
Professional Life: From Struggles to Stability
After a valuable internship, Ayush still had to grind for his first full-time job.
“I applied to 695 jobs in 3 months. Got 45 interviews. Landed 3 offers.”
But it wasn’t easy. He faced:
Visa deadlines
Lowball offers
A shifting job market (post-2022 layoffs)
“None of the offers met my salary expectations, but I had 3 months to figure it out. I took the one from Brown and moved cross-country.”
Advice for Students
Ayush's top 3 takeaways for younger students:
1. Start Making Connections Early
“In the U.S., who you know matters. You never know when someone will help you with work, life, or even something random — like finding a tailor.”
2. Don’t Isolate Yourself After Graduation
“Get roommates. Go to meetups. Join social groups. Post-grad life is lonely by default — but it doesn’t have to be.”
3. Learn the Art of Boring Conversations
“You can’t always click instantly. Sometimes you just have to talk, awkward or not. Conversation is a habit — and like any habit, you build it.”
Final Words: Find Your Vibe
“Sometimes you click with people, sometimes you don’t. But the more you put yourself out there, the more chances you give yourself to find your vibe.”
Ayush’s story isn’t filtered. It’s raw. It's what actually happens when you cross oceans chasing a dream — and what it takes to keep that dream alive once the graduation caps come off.