u/According_Spell_5902

I’m an Indian MBBS graduate and have recently completed medical school. I may be relocating to Austin, Texas after marriage, as my prospective husband is currently working in the US. I’ve lived most of my life in India, so moving to the other side of the world feels exciting but also extremely overwhelming and scary.
I’m particularly anxious about adjusting to life in the US—culture, making friends, driving, healthcare, finances, day-to-day life, and generally integrating into the community. I’d really appreciate advice from people living in Austin, especially Indians or other immigrants who have gone through a similar transition.
I’m also hoping to continue my medical career. I’m considering the USMLE/ECFMG pathway and eventually applying for residency, but I’d love to know what realistic opportunities exist for an Indian MBBS graduate in the US. Are there other career options in healthcare I could explore while working toward residency, and how difficult is it to build a medical career as an IMG?
For those who moved to Austin after marriage or from India, what do you wish you had known before moving? What should I start preparing for while I’m still in India?
Please be kind—I’m genuinely anxious and running on very loose nerves thinking about such a huge life change, and any practical advice or personal experiences would mean a lot. ❤️

I’m an Indian MBBS graduate and have recently completed medical school. I may be relocating to Austin, Texas after marriage, as my AM setup prospect(Non medico) is currently working in the US. I’ve lived most of my life in India, so moving to the other side of the world feels exciting but also extremely overwhelming and scary.
I’m particularly anxious about adjusting to life in the US—culture, making friends, driving, healthcare, finances, day-to-day life, and generally integrating into the community. I’d really appreciate advice from people living in Austin, especially Indians or other immigrants who have gone through a similar transition.
I’m also hoping to continue my medical career. I’m considering the USMLE/ECFMG pathway and eventually applying for residency, but I’d love to know what realistic opportunities exist for an Indian MBBS graduate in the US. Are there other career options in healthcare I could explore while working toward residency, and how difficult is it to build a medical career as an IMG?
For those who moved to Austin after marriage or from India, what do you wish you had known before moving? What should I start preparing for while I’m still in India?
Please be kind—I’m genuinely anxious and running on very loose nerves thinking about such a huge life change, and any practical advice or personal experiences would mean a lot. ❤️

Need advice: Should I meet him in person before making my decision about an arranged marriage?
TL;DR: I’m in an arranged marriage talking stage with a guy (family-relative, US-based) where things look good on paper, but I feel a mismatch in spirituality and a lack of emotional/romantic connection. We talked for around 1.5–2 months, but we are currently not in contact. We also had only one video call during that time. Now I’m unsure whether I should meet him in person in November before making a final decision, or if what I already feel is enough to say no. My main question is: does meeting in person usually change these kinds of doubts, or are these early signs of incompatibility?
I’m looking for some genuine advice from people who have been through arranged marriage situations.
My family introduced me to a guy who lives in the US. He is also a relative, so both families already know each other well. We started talking around April and continued for about 1.5–2 months. Initially, everything seemed fine, and in terms of his character, family background, career, and general compatibility, I don’t have any major complaints. I’m in the medical field, and he is very supportive of my career and seems okay with me pursuing what I want.
However, during the talking stage, I started feeling uncomfortable about some fundamental differences.
The biggest issue is spirituality. He is a deeply spiritual person, whereas I’m not particularly spiritual. I believe in God and pray, but spirituality is not a major part of how I live my life. Because of this difference, I started wondering whether it would become a major issue after marriage. I’m worried that this is not just a small difference but a core value difference.
The other thing that bothered me was the emotional connection. He didn’t really show any excitement, curiosity, affection, or romantic interest. Our conversations often felt quite formal and practical. We had only one video call, and even during that, I didn’t feel the kind of connection I was hoping for.
I’m someone who values love, emotional availability, affection, excitement, and the little things in a relationship. I want to feel that the person is genuinely interested in me and excited to know me. With him, I didn’t really feel that, and it made me scared to move forward.
Because of these concerns, I said no twice. However, our families continued to discuss the alliance, and eventually we started talking again casually, almost as if nothing had happened. There was no major conflict between us, and objectively, I still think he is a good person.
After around 1.5–2 months of talking, we stopped being in contact. We haven’t been talking since then.
Now both families have decided that we shouldn’t talk much until we meet in person. He is expected to come to India around November, and our parents are okay with us meeting and deciding for ourselves after that.
This has left me extremely confused.
Part of me thinks that if I already felt this much discomfort during the talking stage, I shouldn’t force myself to meet him just because he is otherwise a good person and the families are compatible.
But another part of me wonders whether I’m making a decision based on a very limited interaction. We barely spoke for 1.5–2 months, had only one video call, and have never met in person. Maybe some people simply don’t express themselves well over calls, and perhaps meeting face-to-face and having an honest conversation could give me a completely different perspective.
So I wanted to ask people who have actually experienced this:
Has anyone felt uncomfortable or unsure about someone during the arranged-marriage talking stage, but decided to meet in person anyway, and then found that the connection was much better face-to-face?
Or, if you already felt a lack of emotional connection and had fundamental differences in values, did meeting in person ultimately confirm your decision?
Would you meet him once in November and then make a final decision, or would you consider the discomfort during the talking stage enough reason to say no now?

Title: Indian medical graduate considering an AM alliance with someone in the US — questions about dependent visa, USMLE, residency, and working
Hi everyone,
I’m a medical graduate from India. I’ve completed my MBBS and I’m currently preparing for my home-country residency entrance examination.
I’m currently in an arranged-marriage setup and have received an alliance from someone who is working in the US as an engineer. He is not from the medical field.
He completed his master’s in the US this year and started working this year as well. He is currently on a visa and is not a US citizen or green-card holder.
I’m trying to understand whether moving forward with this alliance would have any practical advantages or disadvantages if I eventually decide to pursue residency in the US.
My questions are:
If I become his dependent, would having a dependent visa provide any advantage when applying for or matching into US residency? Would it make the visa/sponsorship aspect of residency easier in any way?
If I want to pursue USMLE and US residency after moving to the US, would being on a dependent visa make the process easier compared with applying from India?
If I start preparing for USMLE Step 1 now, approximately how long does it realistically take to complete Step 1 and then progress through the remaining steps/requirements needed to apply for the Match, assuming I’m studying consistently?
If I move to the US while preparing for USMLE, what options would I have to work legally while studying? What kinds of jobs are realistic for an Indian MBBS graduate before matching into residency?
Since he is also relatively new to the US and is currently on a work visa, are there any visa-related risks or limitations I should consider before making a decision?
From the perspective of someone planning to pursue US residency eventually, would you consider this a reasonable factor to consider when deciding whether to move forward with the alliance?
I’m not making a decision based solely on the US residency opportunity, but I’d like to understand the practical side of things before moving forward.
Would really appreciate experiences or advice from Indian medical graduates who went through a similar situation. Thank you!

Title: Indian medical graduate considering an AM alliance with someone in the US — questions about dependent visa, USMLE, residency, and working
Hi everyone,
I’m a medical graduate from India. I’ve completed my MBBS and I’m currently preparing for my home-country residency entrance examination.
I’m currently in an arranged-marriage setup and have received an alliance from someone who is working in the US as an engineer. He is not from the medical field.
He completed his master’s in the US this year and started working this year as well. He is currently on a visa and is not a US citizen or green-card holder.
I’m trying to understand whether moving forward with this alliance would have any practical advantages or disadvantages if I eventually decide to pursue residency in the US.
My questions are:
If I become his dependent, would having a dependent visa provide any advantage when applying for or matching into US residency? Would it make the visa/sponsorship aspect of residency easier in any way?
If I want to pursue USMLE and US residency after moving to the US, would being on a dependent visa make the process easier compared with applying from India?
If I start preparing for USMLE Step 1 now, approximately how long does it realistically take to complete Step 1 and then progress through the remaining steps/requirements needed to apply for the Match, assuming I’m studying consistently?
If I move to the US while preparing for USMLE, what options would I have to work legally while studying? What kinds of jobs are realistic for an Indian MBBS graduate before matching into residency?
Since he is also relatively new to the US and is currently on a work visa, are there any visa-related risks or limitations I should consider before making a decision?
From the perspective of someone planning to pursue US residency eventually, would you consider this a reasonable factor to consider when deciding whether to move forward with the alliance?
I’m not making a decision based solely on the US residency opportunity, but I’d like to understand the practical side of things before moving forward.
Would really appreciate experiences or advice from Indian medical graduates who went through a similar situation. Thank you!

Hi everyone. I’m currently in an arranged marriage setup and would really appreciate some advice from those who are spiritual, especially if you’re married.
I’m not a spiritual person, but the man I’m getting to know is deeply spiritual. He regularly practices spirituality and considers it an important part of his life, whereas I don’t have the same interest. I’m wondering how much this difference matters in a marriage.
If you’re a spiritual person, would you be comfortable marrying someone who isn’t interested in spirituality? What expectations would you have from your spouse? If you’ve been in a marriage where one partner is spiritual and the other isn’t, how has it worked out? Did it create challenges, or were you able to respect each other’s differences?
I’d be grateful to hear your honest experiences and perspectives. Thank you.

What do u guys think abt food preferences in marriage?
Like if one is vegan n one is pure non vegetarian and planning to live in separate home after marriage ( not with parents)
Will it be troublesome in any instances or it created any issues even during talking stage of urs or u rejected just cus of this??Just needed for a friend of mine!
Pls share ur insights

I really want to know that anyone here married spiritual person( highly into that journey) and how is ur life going actually?
If u ppl know anyone or heard of it also just comment here!
Open for discussion!! Spiritual vs non spiritual partners( Pray to God but not like spiritual ppl) ! Will the marriage work?

Guys, just a heads up like I am going through an AM setup. Am coming from a medicine field. My parents have seen alliance from US.
He is my relative only working in US.We r from INDIA. We r in talking stage for past 1.5 months.
In the initial phase first 2 weeks felt good,was amazed by his character but still I felt am not being connected with him like it felt distant. After 3 weeks,he said do videocall I want to connect to ur parents,so thay gain confidence in me coz he may visit india sometime late only so he said.And my parents connected with him over vc and they interacted very well and both felt good. Then I asked him for a video call,he then did called
me like it was the first time am seeing,was more excited before vc,then he called me we spoke like normally like what to say I couldnt get that fiancee feel coz he didnt show any smile or excitement upon seeing me I felt very bad then surprisingly call got disconnected then we connected over audio call I asked him directly why didnt u show any feel or anything to me like u r not even curious in seeing me.He told we were talking for 3 weeks so I felt normally he told.Then I accepted and again we spoke daily.In the initial phase itself he used to reply very late in whatsapp cuz he told am not a text person and I accepted that too then in call we used to speak normally but everytime he used to say he has completed this journey and he used to connect everything with god. I analysed very clearly that he is highly interested in God related scriptures and one day I questioned him what will u do and how will be ur routine,he then told me he will be doing meditation and reads bhagavat geetha on daily basis and chants some thing extra.I really pissed off then I only asked him r u on spiritual journey he told yes but I completed I will take the lessons forward in my life he told. I am a person who visits temple and pray to God that is spiritual to me.I wont do these all stuffs.And I came to know he used to attend Swami Mukunanandha lectures and retreat and JK yog organisation andall.In instagram also he is following all those God related stuffs and guru pages.I connected all the dots and then felt like thats why he didnt show any excitement towards me. He is highly into this path.I was wondering even my friends and unknown ppl used to say am looking pretty andall he never said any sweet words.I am highly questioning myself whether to take forward or drop this. I am person who needs love and normal relationship like everyone here God is centric part of his life, how can I expect him to be normal. I asked him whether will u change this or not,he said if once flower blossoms how will it go to bud stagee. This clearly showed that he never wanted to change,If i want to marry him I should change myself into this journey or I may suffer and he even asked me to change initially,I shouted like anything then he said its ur wish
I really like everything abt this prospect like familywise,and his character not in relationship am saying abt normal nature but when it comes to spiritual part I couldnt accept.I even asked for meetup once,him mom told u have been talking to him for 1.5 months,once he comes to India there should be engagement only otherwise tell ur decision now she asked me.I really dont know how can I accept person even without meeting in person. Having fear that after marriage if he wants to go behind God what can I do
Pls guide me🙏
1)Am I overthinking ???
2) The analysis of me is correct or not
3) What to do now

Guys, just a heads up like I am going through an AM setup. Am coming from a medicine field. My parents have seen alliance from US.
He is my relative only working in US.We r from INDIA. We r in talking stage for past 1.5 months.
In the initial phase first 2 weeks felt good,was amazed by his character but still I felt am not being connected with him like it felt distant. After 3 weeks,he said do videocall I want to connect to ur parents,so thay gain confidence in me coz he may visit india sometime late only so he said.And my parents connected with him over vc and they interacted very well and both felt good. Then I asked him for a video call,he then did called
me like it was the first time am seeing,was more excited before vc,then he called me we spoke like normally like what to say I couldnt get that fiancee feel coz he didnt show any smile or excitement upon seeing me I felt very bad then surprisingly call got disconnected then we connected over audio call I asked him directly why didnt u show any feel or anything to me like u r not even curious in seeing me.He told we were talking for 3 weeks so I felt normally he told.Then I accepted and again we spoke daily.In the initial phase itself he used to reply very late in whatsapp cuz he told am not a text person and I accepted that too then in call we used to speak normally but everytime he used to say he has completed this journey and he used to connect everything with god. I analysed very clearly that he is highly interested in God related scriptures and one day I questioned him what will u do and how will be ur routine,he then told me he will be doing meditation and reads bhagavat geetha on daily basis and chants some thing extra.I really pissed off then I only asked him r u on spiritual journey he told yes but I completed I will take the lessons forward in my life he told. I am a person who visits temple and pray to God that is spiritual to me.I wont do these all stuffs.And I came to know he used to attend Swami Mukunanandha lectures and retreat and JK yog organisation andall.In instagram also he is following all those God related stuffs and guru pages.I connected all the dots and then felt like thats why he didnt show any excitement towards me. He is highly into this path.I was wondering even my friends and unknown ppl used to say am looking pretty andall he never said any sweet words.I am highly questioning myself whether to take forward or drop this. I am person who needs love and normal relationship like everyone here God is centric part of his life, how can I expect him to be normal. I asked him whether will u change this or not,he said if once flower blossoms how will it go to bud stagee. This clearly showed that he never wanted to change,If i want to marry him I should change myself into this journey or I may suffer and he even asked me to change initially,I shouted like anything then he said its ur wish
I really like everything abt this prospect like familywise,and his character not in relationship am saying abt normal nature but when it comes to spiritual part I couldnt accept.I even asked for meetup once,him mom told u have been talking to him for 1.5 months,once he comes to India there should be engagement only otherwise tell ur decision now she asked me.I really dont know how can I accept person even without meeting in person. Having fear that after marriage if he wants to go behind God what can I do
Pls guide me🙏
1)Am I overthinking ???
2) The analysis of me is correct or not
3) What to do now

I’m posting anonymously because I’m feeling confused and would appreciate some outside perspectives. My family has been considering an alliance with someone who currently lives in the United States. We’re still in the talking stage, and recently I found out that he is completely involved in JKYog and practices spirituality regularly. In our day-to-day conversations, he never showed Curiousity or any interest towards me even in initial talking stage itself or admired me,I had gut feelings of his different behaviour,he often uses spiritual terms and sometimes gives advice from a spiritual perspective.While I respect people’s beliefs, I’m personally not very interested in spirituality, and I’m worried about whether our values and lifestyles might be too different in the long run. Has anyone been in a similar situation where one partner was deeply involved in a spiritual organization and the other wasn’t? How did it affect your relationship or marriage decision? Any insights would be appreciated.