A Canadian man living in Bengaluru has sparked a conversation online after explaining why he chose to settle in India despite many Indians aspiring to move abroad.
Caleb Friesen, who has been living in the country for more than eight years, shared his thoughts in a video posted on Instagram, where he addressed a question he says he frequently receives: why someone from Canada would choose to live in India.
Question that surprises many people
In the video, Friesen said the question is often asked with disbelief.
“Why do you live in India?” he said, noting that the curiosity sometimes carries an underlying assumption that living in countries like Canada automatically offers a better quality of life.
Friesen argued that such thinking reflects a broader mindset where foreign options are often perceived as superior to local ones.
He said this attitude can also be seen in everyday choices, such as people preferring international brands even when local alternatives are equally good.
Questioning the idea of success abroad
Friesen also spoke about the expectations many Indian families have for their children to settle overseas.
According to him, conversations often revolve around achievements like earning high salaries or buying homes in foreign countries.
He suggested that these markers of success may not necessarily guarantee happiness or fulfilment.
“There’s this underlying assumption that living in a more developed place makes you happier,” he said, adding that major global cities such as New York City, London and Singapore also face their own challenges.
A perspective about mindset
In the caption accompanying the video, Friesen said some people struggle to understand why someone would voluntarily choose to live in India long term without work assignments or tourism.
He wrote that people often judge their own countries more harshly while romanticising life abroad.
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” he wrote, emphasising that every country has both strengths and challenges.
Social media reacts positively
The video resonated with many viewers online, with several praising his perspective.
Some users shared their own experiences of moving back to India for a more fulfilling lifestyle, while others said they appreciated his positive outlook.
Friesen concluded his message with a simple reflection on his decision.
“India is where I am. And wherever I am, I choose to be optimistic and make the most of the time that I have.”