A viral video is making waves for telling the truth about what it's actually like to study abroad. For many young Indians, heading to the US seems like the ultimate dream: world-class education, new horizons, freedom, and adventure. Social media often shows students flaunting campus life, road trips, and cool coffee shops—pure excitement.
A 19-Year-Old's Emotional Story
Kanav, a 19-year-old from India, has posted a video that reveals a much more realistic picture. He is not complaining but opening up about the tougher side of living far from home. In his video, Kanav looks straight at the camera and says, "Living alone isn't as glamorous as it looks." It is honest, simple, and hits you. He talks about loneliness, the grind of daily responsibilities, and the weight of being on your own.
Kanav admits that while many chase the dream of studying abroad, nobody really talks about how hard it can get. From managing money, figuring out taxes, and juggling food, to missing out on family celebrations, sometimes it all feels like too much. He introduces himself: "Hi, I'm 19, living alone in the United States. I came from India for college, and honestly, living alone isn't as glamorous as it looks. No one really tells you about these parts."
It is not just an emotional rant—he has a point. When one moves away from home to a different country and continent, they suddenly become in charge of everything: meals, bills, and credit cards. College in the US is nothing like school back home; classes are different, people are different, and it takes time to adjust. There is a lot to figure out, and it is emotionally tough being away from family.
In Kanav's words: "No one really tells you about these parts. Figuring out food, managing money, credit cards, taxes, classes that feel nothing like when you're in high school. Different culture, different people, and different absolutely everything." Then he adds, "And then there are days like festivals."
Kanav mentions festivals are the hardest part of living away from home, all alone. Watching your family celebrate over a video call while you are thousands of miles away hurts. "Back home, everyone's together, celebrating, laughing, and making memories. And you're just there, on a video call, watching it all happen from thousands of miles away," he says, adding, "Some days it hits harder than you expect."
But he does not sugarcoat it or wallow. He just puts it out there: it is tough, but these moments help you grow. "Maybe that's the point, because moments like these, they build you. They make you mentally stronger. They teach you how to stand on your own," he says. He captioned the video, "Building a life." He finally acknowledges, "It's not easy, but I know I didn't come this far for easy."
Internet's Response
Turns out, more people on the internet than expected get this paradox of living away and on your own. The video struck a nerve with students and professionals who have lived away from home.
- One user commented, "This is so real, nobody talks about how lonely festivals feel abroad."
- Another said, "You are learning life much earlier than many people do."
- Someone else wrote, "Living alone teaches you things no classroom ever can."
People really appreciated his honesty about the struggles, not just showing off. There was a comment that nailed it: "People only see the foreign country part, not the struggle behind it." Another user added, "At 19, managing all this alone takes courage."
The Silence of Living Away and Alone
The thing that really stands out is the silence of living miles away from home, something Kanav never actually says. You leave behind the noise at home: family, meals, routines. Suddenly, everything is quiet. Sometimes it is nice, but sometimes it feels way too heavy. Psychologists will tell you loneliness is not just about being alone; it is about missing real, meaningful connections. For students abroad, it sneaks up on you: during lunch, at night, or in the middle of class.
That is what Kanav captured. Not endless sadness—just those moments that really hit when you least expect them.
