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“America, I Love You”: Indian woman’s tearful goodbye after layoff
Joshi reflected on her time in the United States, calling it her first home as a financially independent adult
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 01, Oct 2025
- 15:37 EDT
- 21
Ananya Joshi / Instagram (Ananya Joshi)
Ananya Joshi, an Indian graduate who chronicled her job search journey on social media, has left the United States after being unable to secure employment under visa deadlines.
In a tearful Instagram video shared on Sept. 29, she described her departure as the most difficult moment in her life abroad, marking the end of her stay following months of unsuccessful applications.
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In her video, Joshi reflected on her time in the United States, calling it her first home as a financially independent adult and expressing gratitude for the opportunities she experienced.
“By far the hardest step in this journey. Even though I seemed to have accepted my reality, nothing could have prepared me for this day. America was my first home as a financially independent adult and that will always be a special thing to me. Though short lived, I really appreciate the life you gave me AMERICA, I LOVE YOU,” she wrote in the caption accompanying the video.
Joshi completed her master’s degree in Biotechnology from Northwestern University in 2024 and gained work experience at a biotech startup through the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.
Earlier this year, her role was terminated as part of a company-wide downsizing. She then began a race against time to find another job in order to extend her stay in the United States under the STEM OPT extension, which allows certain graduates in science and technology fields to work for up to two additional years beyond the initial 12-month OPT period.
In a LinkedIn post four months ago, Joshi explained the urgency of her situation, noting that her “STEM OPT clock” was ticking and she needed to secure a role within a month to remain in the country. Despite weeks of outreach and applications, she was unable to find a suitable position.
Joshi’s story comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of the OPT programme and increasing uncertainty for international students in the United States. Immigration authorities have intensified checks on students and employers, with reports of surprise site visits and stricter monitoring through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
The OPT pathway, used by more than 170,000 students in 2023, has been a critical bridge for international graduates seeking to transition into the U.S. workforce.
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