Goans are globe trotters – they travel abroad for higher studies, mastering new skills, do jobs or businesses. Some even settle there. There are a few handfuls who, after enjoying the slice of life in a foreign country, prefer to come back to their home state. The Goan explores what makes these youth return to their roots...
For many, the initial allure of foreign cities eventually hits a wall of reality. High salaries are often swallowed by soaring rents, while professional prestige is overshadowed by a lack of work-life balance. This realisation is what brought Blessie Dias back to Goa.
At just 21, Blessie has been running her family restaurant, 'Cocochin', in St Cruz for the past few months. A graduate in Culinary Arts from France, she is trained in kitchen operations, pastry-making, management, bartending, and food laws. Born and raised in Goa, Blessie had always hoped to work abroad for a few years before eventually returning home.
After spending three years in Paris during her internship, she realised how demanding life as a chef in France can be. Cut-throat competition, hectic schedules, and little work-life balance left her with hardly any time for herself. Even her two weekly days off were often spent catching up on sleep. Much of her earnings also went towards rent and other expenses.
CHOOSING PEACE OVER PRESTIGE
“In Goa, little is enough. Peace of mind comes first. One should get time to do something for oneself. So I chose to come back to Goa as soon as I completed my course. My dad bought this restaurant a month before I returned. We will complete a year in June. The place was shut for years, now people have started knowing that it’s open, and I am getting footfalls. Goa has its own culture. There’s diversity, open-mindedness, and people like to try something new. They are foodie. I can work hard, and also relax at the same time. Living abroad, slogging like a slave, earning money is not worth it, because at the end of it, what is one going to do with the name-fame and money if there’s no time to sit back?” asks Blessie.
RETURNING FOR ROOTS AND RELATIONSHIPS
While Blessie sought balance, Kaustubh Naik, 35, is returning for connection. Currently pursuing a PhD in the 'History of Goa' at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, US, he plans to return to Goa after completing his doctorate.
"It will take me another two years. I came to the US in 2021 on a five-year scholarship, three years of which are already over. I also spent a year in Portugal and another in India during my research. Once I complete the remaining two years, I will return to India for good," said Kaustubh.
Speaking to The Goan from Philadelphia, Kaustubh says several reasons are drawing him back. "I got married last year. My wife works in Delhi and does not want to settle abroad. I also miss my community, my circle of friends and relatives in India. Living abroad is mostly like living on your own. Workplaces are far away, and daily commutes are long. Living among strangers feels strange. There is no one to share our joys and sorrows with. These thoughts are enough to pull me back to Goa," he said.
When he first moved to the US, Kaustubh admits there was a faint thought that he might settle there. But over time, that idea faded.
The reality of living alone in a foreign country began to feel overwhelming. He is now looking at opportunities in private universities in Mumbai, Delhi, and Goa. Rather than a lucrative package abroad, he says he would prefer a stable job back home that allows meaningful interaction with students.
“Job satisfaction is a must. And I want to be in the company of familiar faces. The ongoing war may freeze new hiring, but I still have time,” he said, expressing hope.
GLOBAL EXPOSURE, LOCAL CALLING
This sentiment is echoed by Aditya Umesh Prabhugaonkar, 31. "There's truly no place like Goa," he quips. A BTech in Mechanical Engineering from VIT University, Aditya later pursued a Master's in Management (MiM) at ESSEC Business School in France, completing the programme over three years with internships in between. He then worked in France for another three years.
Currently a senior executive (sales operations) at Kilowatt Pvt Ltd in Goa, Aditya says his experience at ESSEC, one of France's top business schools, was extremely enriching.
"During my time there, we had exposure to global companies such as LVMH, Allianz Insurance, Estée Lauder, and Gecina. I specialised in Strategy and Marketing and was also part of the Real Estate & Sustainability Chair, which had partners such as Allianz Real Estate, Gecina, and Engie. I worked with two AI startups in Paris - Powder.gg and Kinetix. Another start-up I worked with, Jellysmack, later became a SoftBank-funded unicorn. I was also elected to the 100-year-old student association, Bureau des Élèves, becoming one of the few Indian students to be part of this prestigious body," he said.
"The work-life balance abroad is unmatched. While France offers excellent opportunities, society tends to be more individualistic, whereas India is more collective and family-oriented. I come from a large family and missed being around them. That ultimately motivated me to return and be closer to my parents," said Aditya.
PLANNING TO GIVE BACK TO GOA
Speaking from California, Tahir Noronha, 31, a postgraduate from the University of Michigan in the US, says he plans to return to India in about three years. Tahir, who is pursuing his PhD on the West Coast of India at the University of California, Berkeley, hopes to eventually come back to Goa.
"In India, the process is very streamlined and though I tried applying at many places, it was difficult to find the right institute. I received scholarships from both Michigan and Berkeley, so I grabbed the opportunity as I did not want my parents to spend on my education or take a large loan," explained Tahir. Earlier, he worked with the Charles Correa Foundation in Goa for four years, learning about the economic, architectural, and environmental aspects of town planning.
"I want to come back and contribute towards the betterment of Goa," said Tahir, pointing to examples such as Utpal Parrikar, who completed his engineering at Michigan and returned to Goa. Rama Salkar, who returned from the UK this year after working there as an architect, has now started her own firm in Goa. Similarly, Richa Narvekar returned from Canada and is running a design firm back home.
REDEFINING THE GOAN DREAM
The return of these young professionals suggests that the "Goan Dream" is being quietly redefined. For generations, success meant leaving home for distant shores. Today, for many Goans, success increasingly lies in returning - and building something meaningful where they belong.
As Blessie puts it, "People come to places where there is culture. Goa has a rich culture. We want to come back and make the best of what we have grown up with."
