My Journey Chasing the American Dream Abroad

Was it easy being a non-native American chasing the American Dream?

Not exactly.

I left my dream city, Kolkata, and its 40°C summers to pursue an alien dream in a country they say rewards the diligent — the land of the Big Apple.

It felt like showing up to teach wearing mismatched shoes. You can still walk, of course, but you're convinced everyone notices. Fortunately, I loved teaching, I loved science, and I had grown rather fond of my mismatched shoes. Because when the -40°C bite of a historic New York blizzard hit, it made one thing crystal clear: keep moving if you want to stay warm and make the dream real. 

Eventually, I realized that native or not, that mattered far less than I had imagined. The so-called American Dream demanded the same things from everyone: self-belief, sleepless nights, the relentless practice of finding the brighter side. And yes, trying not to think about home (we all know how that went). It isn't exclusive to Americans — it's for anyone willing to work for it, with or without a background [geographically and professionally].

Years later, after fulfilling one dream in science, I found myself chasing another in art. Even for this I had to overprepare by studying anatomy, composition, and aesthetics, to even have a shot at it without an MFA. In a few years, perhaps I can tell you how it goes! 

But in hindsight, my unconventional path became my greatest advantage. It helped me build TERAVARNA with a perspective I wouldn't have had otherwise. I saw artists struggled with visibility irrespective of pedigree and nationality, so I created a space to offer that (along with some more perks). 

So, being a non-native chasing the American dream wasn't a disadvantage. It came with permission to rewrite the rules. And, the American Dream wasn't about becoming someone else. It was about discovering that everything I thought made me an outsider eventually became the reason I could build something that helped others find their place. 

Sometimes the dream isn't waiting at the destination — it's hidden inside the journey that gets you there.