Returning to Nepal with a US degree, good or a bad idea?

Babal Khate

Thank you for pointing me to this thread. For me returning to Nepal is a deeply personal decision that should not be evangelized otherwise it can turn into one of those meaningless 'my-god-is-better-than-your-god' debates. To me it is less important whether a Nepali returns to Nepal or not. What is more important is what they do for Nepal regardless of where in the world they chose to live. Each individual's needs and circumstances are different and I am wary of  lumping people into groups of this type and that type based on family or income in Nepal or success or failure in America.

I agree with your assertion that Nepal needs all kinds of people -- just as the world needs all kinds of minds -- creative, analytical, academic, scientific, entrepreneurial etc. It also needs people who can think beyond the blame game. Speaking for myself, I've stopped blaming the King, Congress, UML, Maoists, history, geography, culture etc  for Nepal's problems because I've realized blaming politicians for everything is just a way of venting my own frustrations about doing diddly squat for the country myself. I've also realized that once you are on the ground in Nepal and start doing things and see the rewards of your work you can be quite content. It boils down to how you manage your expectations about Nepal.  I would rather focus on trying to change several small things over a longer period of time rather than trying to change everything all at the same time. The latter can be a recipe for disaster -- both for the country and the individual because unrealistic expectations of what can be changed  will only set you up for misery and failure. 

To answer the original question, " Returning to Nepal with a US degree, good or a bad idea?" -  I say, it depends on the degree and what exactly you want to achieve when you go to Nepal. My reasons are mine and mine alone. To each his own. Good luck to those staying in the US and best wishes to those returning.

Chanaa,

You are entitled to your opinion.
That's fine.

As for systems, my opinion is this: Good systems are NOT made or built overnight. It takes many, many years of back and forth of domestic and international trade, and the hard work of many, many people to set up and sustain good economic/business systems. What you and others take for granted in the US today was NOT built overnight there. 

If you read the business history of the US, you will see that the Carnegies, the Vanderbilts, the Morgans (or the Cabots and the Lowells in Boston) -- all of them made piles of money in the late 18th, the 19th and the early 20th centuries in many ways that are simply NOT considered legal or ethical today in the US. [The city of Chicago, then and now, remains a hotbed of corruption, for instance, though its more infamous days are over, it seems.]

Similarly, in India today, it's much harder for Anil and Mukesh Ambani to make money the way their father made it in the 70s and the 80s -- that is, by basically buying off the government. Today's Indian business system, though far from perfect, is much more competitive and transparent, and as the recent Radia telecom case there has shown, it's harder to engage in long-term corruption to be a success in Delhi or Mumbai without the press finding out about it, and without the whole thing blowing up in one's face.

In this context, the system in Nepal should be seen as taking small, baby steps in the right direction. Yes, corruption exists here. Yes, not every success here is kosher. Yes, the system needs to be made strong in so many ways. 

BUT in 2011, we should start taking pride in the fact that there now are a number of people in Nepal who seem to have succeeded very well DESPITE the system and NOT because of it. And they and we should be very proud of this fact. And there's no harm in celebrating this fact about fellow Nepalis' success. 

As such, NOT every success in Nepal today needs to be a suspect, like it was, say, 20 or 30 years ago. This is my observation. [Min Bdr Gurung of Bhatbhateni, for instance, credits his success to 1990 ko democracy that eventually helped open up bank credit facilities to the then small-business owners like him. Else, there was no way a mere "cold storage" owner like him to dream big in the 1990s to start his own big store.]
 
And increasingly, I find that most successful people in Nepal do not want to limit themselves only to Nepal: they acquire the necessary know-how, skills and contacts to go regional and even global: some of them - Buddha Air, for instance -- are competing with airlines in India on certain routes; they are winning international contracts to build apartments in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. They are setting up factories in India and Vietnam, they are inviting bideshi investment houses to set up offices in Nepal, and on and on. All these, though far from perfect, can only help us all to make our business system stronger. Baby steps, I say.

So, I do NOT share your reflexive pessimism. Though I am quite aware that businessmen here are NOT exactly saints, I still give most of them a lot of credit for hanging tough, making the best of a really bad situation, striving to create jobs, and, with success, looking for ways to expand their businesses outside of Nepal.

oohi
ashu
 

If you are Master's or phd graduates and thinking of going back to Nepal for good, please contact me. I have business plan for Internet startup. I am looking for friend who is passionate in doing business in Nepal. Or if you want to stay in US and have passion for entrepreneurship, i do have a plan for the website like grupon which can be started small- but its in completely different industry and i believe the industry that i am working on is the industry where money is, for next startup. I am not going to talk about the project details in this forum. If i find you are comfortable to work with, i will send you the non-disclosure policy paper that you need to sign before looking at the project plan.

For my back ground, I am Budhanilkantha School graduate, did my undergraduate in IT engineering and masters in business administration (MBA) in global business leadership.

Nagarikreport,

Re: The Dixits: I worked as the CEO of Himalmedia from 2007 to the end of 2009. My job was to negotiate with trade unions, re-structure the company, do a turn-around and basically leave the company in a better shape. In other words, my job was to do a successful 'corporate surgery', if you will. 

In that capacity, I worked very closely with Kunda and Kanak (and other Board Directors).

I did NOT find K & K to be communists. Nor did I find them to be corrupt in any way. And I say this, quite confidently, on the basis of my direct day-to-day experience with them.

My honest observation is that K & K are two first-rate, highly creative, sophisticated, globally connected Nepali professionals with drive and initiative who care very, very deeply about Nepal -- politically, socially and culturally. 

My own sense is that we need more such people all across Nepal -- and not only in Kathmandu.

[It's one thing to disagree with K & K's published ideas and thoughts, but to attack them personally for being this or that is simply an example of intellectual cowardice. I know that there are people who can't stand Kanak, for instance; but I am NOT one of those: I greatly value his culturally creative brain, which is -- at least, from what I have experienced --- rare in our maatri.bhoomi]. 

Then again, one of my hard-learned rules for success in Nepal or anywhere is this: If you are NOT totally pissing off a few people -- or pissing off a small number of the same old people -- every once in a while, then, you are NOT doing anything really worth doing in Nepal :-)  

Knowing K & K, I think that they simply shrug off all these unfair and silly criticisms and get on with doing what they do best: that is, produce good, solid journalism by training the next generation of Nepali journalists.

As for me, I greatly enjoyed working with and for them, and I now count them among my friends, even when I do not agree with all of their published ideas.

A request: Since this thread is NOT about K & K, let's take further discussions about them off-line. I'll be happy to answer questions about them (you already know what my based-on-experience answers are going to be!) via Sajha email. Thank you. 

oohi
ashu

Nagarikreport  

If success is a relative term as you say, then it doesn't make sense for you to say

" I don't consider Ashu even an inch successful. "

I guess you are entitled to your own opinion, but judgment of success or failure is insignificant when you don't know who is making them.

Seriously, how much can anyone earn in Nepal by working?  What's the highest pay? Which industry, company?  Let's be honest; can we really own even a morotbike, car, house or any luxury items in Nepal by fair standards?  It's not only a question about Nepal; how much do people earn even in US?  If Nepalese do not steal everyday, they barely will be able to pay their expeses for survial in US. If that's not the case, how are they affording to send millions to Nepal?  Those students who do not steal and send money to their families in Nepal, their parents are questioned by their relatives/neighbors whose kids are stealing and sending money to Nepal.

So, the question comes down to whether you want to lead an honest life or a criminal life.  If you are stealing in US and collecting in Nepal, you will either become a corrupt politician in Nepal or engage into unethical business practices.  It doesn't matter which country you choose to live then since you will basically be doing the same thing.

Watch Hijo Aajko Kura, it's a great show.

Great insights, Ashu. 

 Fyi, Pire.

I got hired by a reputed bank for a Managerial Position on Friday. Thank you for your best wishes. 

Agni ji congratulations . Now did u land with ur connections or pure qualification?

I won't say that my "connections" didn't favor me in securing the job but I reckon my Master's Degree from an American institution certainly played its part.

In my own personal case, like I aforementioned, I never had any great intentions of living in the States for a stretched timeframe. Hence, I did have the luxury of "affording" to attend an American institution, not worrying about the return. Really, a mere salary of 25k plus incentives doesn't do a justice to all the hardwork and money I've spent for my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the States but I look at my own case as more of a personal gain than a return to investment ( short-term ).

I learned a number of lifelong lessons while in the States and I'm damn sure I won't repent it.

Speaking of connections, I plan to spend next 3-4 years with the bank and then, I'm pushing myself for a job at an American INGO with little help of a connection.

Agni,

 I'm really glad that things are working out for you. In many ways, it seems you are approaching work in Kathmandu with the right attitude and expectations. Desh anusar bhesh rakhna paryo, hoina?  

It would be very interesting to hear about the work culture, professionality, etc of your experiences. I'm not sure if you ever got a chance to work for an American company to be able to make a comparison with the work culture here as opposed to there. But I hope you will keep us updated.

What is admirable about you is that you came to terms of the posies and negies of the decision of whether to stay in America or go to Nepal. You realize that your decision is a personal one and may not necessarily apply to everyone. I admire you for taking the stand that you have. You seem to have resolved the conflicts and are moving forward practically. Bravo. 

As someone with a Masters degree from the States working for a bank in a managerial position (do you have any work experience to be a manager, by the way?) congratulations in being a potential future "job maker" in Nepal. 
 

 @ Agni,

Deos Bachelor's in Finance help to get a job in Bank?

Old English, Bachelor's in Finance definitely does help but you'll need to go through one year of training. Master's in Finance or a MBA degree is preferred for a Managerial position.

Babal Khate, thanks for your comments.

Prior to my arrival, I didn't have a significant working experience. I did couple of internships during my Bachelors and OPT while I did a few part-time jobs to pay off my bills.

Also, I was never a brilliant student, if you were to judge my talent based on my GPA only. But what I did have is self-belief. I never applied myself to getting 5 A's every semester. I had plenty of fun and did go through plenty of learning experiences during my stay in the States. That said, you don't need to be above-average or brilliant, as some genius like Pire already said, to succeed here in Nepal.

Sometimes, luck does a huge favor while more often than not, you create your own luck through perseverance and hard work.

Again, Please don't mistake my "intentions" of returning as a patriotic one. I wish to lead a successful life without bribing or following the route of corruption and filth.

I had no plans or interest of living in the States and was always determined to return back.

One thing, I regret is not visiting Florida but then, I'll gladly take Pokhara over Florida anyday.

 @ AGNI

Best of luck for your career dude. 

 Agni, did you recently went back to Nepal or has it been long? Just had a curiosity, nothing personal though. Anyway congratulation on your future endeavor. 

Thanks Old English and Boulevard Dreams. 

I recently finished my Master's ( winter '10 ) and I returned back immediately. 

When my emotion clashes with my ambition, my passion clashes with my reality, my status clashes with my 'status' - I have a clear sight of my confusion but not its intricacies. The perinnial confusion is the state. When I equate a fuzzy math in my head, I sub-consciously add: my responsibilities towards my family and my country, granted freedom and individual space of the US; subtract : the chaos of Nepal, the never changing 'second-class citizen mentality'in the US; multiply: my passion and ego; and finally divide with my present status ( this is the only variable) - I see the same confusion, perhaps a despair that I don't want to think of, and occasional happiness like a 'flash in the pan'. Rinse, lather and repeat it everyday- it's simply unbearable and goes to the 'taboo' mode as if I am oblivious to it. I wonder if I am an asset or a liability .Again,as always, when people talk about returning to Nepal I am hopeful yet cynical, and this maxim comes rebounding to my head ' everybody wants to go to the heaven, but nobody wants to die.' 

 Just a short note:

There is no proven recipe/formula for returning to Nepal for good.

Each decision to return to Nepal is personal and different, and we have to respect individual circumstances/interests/goals. 

Who is any one of us to sit on judgment on why anyone else should return or not, right?

After all, every life is too complicated to make sense of it from the outside.  

For various reasons, not everyone wants to return, and that's perfectly fine. And those who return are not necessarily morally or otherwise superior to those who do not, and vice versa. . 
 
So, in both directions, it's hard to generalize from a few people's success (howsoever perceived) or failures (again, howsoever perceived). Like I said, each story is  different, and successful person is s/he who makes the best of what s/he has to be happy and productive in any part of the world.

But some general observations (about/in Kathmandu):

1. There are many, many phoren-returnees in Kathmandu today: from the UK, from Australia, from other countries, and from the US. Those who have returned from Australian or German universities, for instance, 
have their own various organizations, and they have regular get-togethers, etc.

2. Except for one's family members, the rest of Nepal does NOT care all that much about where you have returned from and why. Kathmandu is no longer an overgrown village which it once was: in the last 10 years, 
it's fair to say that it's become an impersonal, big and noisy metropolis which affords you some degree of anonymity, if you wish. In any case, people here are increasingly too busy doing their own thing to worry about you and your welfare (beyond the first two minutes!). 

3. If you have worked for well-known companies in the US (say, Goldman, Microsoft, Citigroup etc), it's quite possible, on the strength of your employers' name, to set up appointments with top bankers, software CEOs, etc to see how you can work with them in Nepal, etc. The people here are always looking for new ideas, contacts, know-how and business opportunities. 

4. Working with the government is difficult unless you have top-level political contacts. Even then, it requires a lot of back and forth, and uncertainty.

5. In the last 10 years, private colleges in Nepal have gotten better and better: on the whole, their students/graduates are very sharp, hard-working, well-trained and my sense is that their top students could have gone anywhere in the US, the UK and elsewhere, if only they had the means to do so. 

Local employers (established banks and companies) already have recruiting ties to these colleges, and it can often be hard for a fresh US-returnee to stand out (during the recruiting cycle) until there's something positively compelling about the returnee. When a foreign-returnee competes for jobs in Nepal, s/he will also be competing with other foreign returnees and top local college graduates. 

6. On the other hand, entrepreneurship seems to be booming in Nepal. In part, this is due to a high number of young people and a lack of jobs: enterprising young people in their 20s and 30s then see opportunities and create their own jobs! Through a group called Entrepreneurs for Nepal (E4N), some friends and I volunteer our time on week-ends advising start-ups and small companies. If you like uncertainty, challenge and (tech) entrepreneurship, Nepal can be a pretty good laboratory (and feel free to contact me if my contacts, networks and know-how help you in any way -- I'll be happy to share what I know, as I have been sharing with many Sajha friends over the years!)

7. If your experience/education allows you to add value at a higher level, i.e. how to help develop capital markets (private equity, bond market, investment banking, currency trading, etc), how to regulate banks and industries, how to run companies that have transnational ambitions, how to find and work with international investors and bring them to Nepal for long-term collaboration, how to 'design' and run small towns (bijuli, paani, systems, etc) and municipalities etc -- these skills and others are in very, very short supply.
         
8. Pokhara seems to be a happening place: the young business people there are very driven and entrepreneurial. They have lots of ideas and are trying to put Pokhara on the map for business. I'd find ways to connect with some of them.

Just some thoughts.

oohi
ashu

 

I strongly second Ashu's statement outlined in #5. 

Over the last ten years, I have observed SEVERAL graduates of Nepali Universities (who has never stepped to ANY US academic institution)  face an interview, excel, land a very good job and do their job extraordinarily well in the US. As you know, getting a job in the US is, 99% of the times, selling yourself, your qualifications, and personality. Nepali colleges and universities should be credited for preparing a dynamic workforce and the state-of-the-art education that can face these challenges of a US job market.

At the same time, I am cautiously optimistic about a US University preparing a workforce of comparable strength and aptitude. Has your US education prepared you enough to face the challenges of Nepali job market? I think, this remains a question.

 Ashu,

Regarding #7 and #8:

1. I agree with #7. I think we desperately need people who are not going to be easily frustrated when they have to go and lobby with the government. It is easy said than done, but I feel tired when I see young individuals who claim they wanted to do something great but the govt didn't help them. Govt by nature is an agent for status quo, law and order, and introducing change in its attitude takes a bit effort.
I also believe, after observing liquidity crises of last few years, that we need good policymakers who can address such crises. Not sure how an individual with work experience abroad can negotiate a position for himself into our bureaucracy.

  I also see that, given how Laxman Shrestha (of Manakamana Cable Car) and Kamal Jain (Of Shiva Statue) operated, we need entrepreneurs with keen sense of seeing long term profit. I was shocked to see how some people tried to force Jain to give up his statue to public. I think as long as Kamal pays taxes, which we have to assume that he pays duly unless some contradictory evidence surfaces, he should be allowed to run the stuffs he personally paid to create. People living near his park should be thankful to him because he added value to their land and put their region in the map of the country. 

 It seems to me that our people love the parks/regions with religious theme. Cable car, for example, wouldn't have been that successful without its proximity to Manakamana Temple.

Once I was sitting with a few rich people, and people told me that the cable car guys were taking undue profit of the temple. I told them that I was not so sure of it and I proposed that we purchase a land (or do a shahakari plan) from Chitwan to Manakamana Temple and make a US-style road with vista points (one could see Chitwan, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahu and beautiful Marsyangdi etc from there) and a nice parking lot near the temple. The road will be a toll road. The whole expenditure at the time would be less than 20 karod. I told them that it would probably be profitable (I of course can't guarantee any profit anywhere anyway), will change country's landscape and will provide more options to visitors to the temple. The project didn't go very far, but we agreed that, unlike Laxman(who put his own 40 karod on cable car), we couldn't put our own money, but a publicly traded corporation could probably do that by raising money in stock market thus pooling the risk. The lesson was very clear-- Laxman took risks, very big risks, and succeeded. 

I can see that people with clear business idea and ability to convince others and execute these plans can succeed big time in Nepal. Places like Muktinath, Swargadwari, Khaptad, Rara etc are crying out for the initiative of such leaders. A express highway linking all these tourism spots , from east to west, possibly along Hulaki Marg (this was the highway our ancestors used while they were fighting in Kumau, Gadhwal, Dehradun first against local feudal kings and finally against the British), would be an excellent gift from our govt to our future entrepreneurs as it would provide mobility among our people and reduce cost for starting business in those regions. 

I won't talk politics here. All leaders are more or less same and we should push them. My experience has  been that, though I dislike Maoists for their nondemocratic attitude, they are actually easier to convince when you approach them with these business plan. On the other hand, our US educated NC leaders are more corrupt and they are likely to seek more for themselves when you approach them with these plans.

2. I think besides Pokhara, places that are happening include Chitwan and possibly Dharan. Chitwan's growth is phenomenal. More than 20 hospitals built in Bharatpur in last few years, and serious investments in Sauraha hotel industries plus the chicken, milk, honey, chicken feed industries etc that have popped up there point to a serious growth potential. Dharan has similar potential with its colleges and a well remunerated ex-army population.

My long term bet is for Janakpur. Maithili people are smart, they also have tons of political leaders from there, and there are seriously loaded Maithili people (such as Dr Upendra Mahato). I also read that there are 14 sabhasad who call Janakpur home. Furthermore, Dhanusha sends very high number of young people to gulf. This points to a explosive growth for the city soon, if they take care of insurgency problem.