Need advice
To give you a quick summary of my options and where I'm stuck:
My Background: IIIT Delhi grad (2024), currently working as a Backend SWE at PhonePe. My partner is into procurement and is 29 I’m 25.
Option A (Germany - Uni Bonn MSc AI):
Move to Germany, start intensive German language learning, and pursue the MSc AI while working part-time as a Werkstudent.
Housing/stay is completely sorted since my uncle’s family lives in Köln (~25 min commute to Bonn).
Option B (India - PhonePe + OMSCS):
Stay in India, keep working full-time at PhonePe (or switch to better-paying tech roles later), and do Georgia Tech’s OMSCS online alongside work.
My Core Dilemma:
Both financial growth and solid career experience are top priorities for me. I really want an EU career long-term, but I’m hesitant about leaving full-time engineering income in India without a clear picture of ROI, taxes, and job market realities in Germany.
I'd love your perspective on a few specific points:
Uni Bonn MSc AI Program: Since this MSc AI course is relatively new, how is it structured in practice? Is it heavily theoretical/research-oriented, or does it prepare you well for industry SWE/AI roles?
Work-Study-Language Balance: How realistic is it to manage intensive German language learning, MSc coursework, and a Werkstudent tech job all at the same time?
Job Market & Financial ROI: How is tech hiring in Germany for international grads/Werkstudents right now? How do post-tax savings and career trajectory in Germany compare realistically to staying on a high-growth SDE path in India?
Uni Bonn vs. OMSCS + PhonePe: Given that I can earn full-time experience & money in India while doing OMSCS, do you think the on-campus exposure and EU visa access at Bonn outweigh staying back?
Your Experience: Looking back at your journey at Uni Bonn / Germany, what were your biggest takeaways or anything you wish you had known before making the decision
If i stay major fear is staying average middle class with less facilities and never getting chance to see abroad or work there
And if i go major stress is loosing on salary and poor roi and long distance
looking forward to your thoughts!