I wanted to live in the US, then had a game-changing visit to Europe. Here's why I chose Germany.

Ishansh Gupta, an Indian national, works at BMW and lives in Munich.

Courtesy of Aditya Sharma Ishansh Gupta dreamed of studying in the US — until he heard about free education in Europe.

Drawn by Germany's manufacturing strengths, he did his master's degree there instead of the US.

Gupta now works at BMW.

He's glad he didn't take the risk on an expensive US education.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ishansh Gupta, 29, who lives in Munich.

The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Growing up in India , I knew I wanted to live in the US one day.

I had relatives who'd moved there, and the way Bollywood movies portrayed the American dream resonated with me.

I was interested in technology, and some of the biggest opportunities were there.

While completing my bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering in India, I applied for internships around the world to increase my chances of getting accepted by a US university for a master's degree.

I interned in Poland for two six-week stints in 2017 and 2018.

After spending time in Europe, instead of applying to US colleges, I went to university in Germany and now work at BMW.

I got a taste of life in America in 2022, when I did an assignment in South Carolina.