VOIWORLD/Sumit Chaturvedi
When Sahil Choudhary left India to work in Germany, he thought he was moving to one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world. A country of precision, engineering marvels, and efficiency — Germany seemed like the perfect place for a young Indian Chartered Accountant to explore global finance.
Today, Sahil lives and works in Frankfurt, the financial heart of Europe. But what truly surprised him wasn’t what Germany had — it was what it didn’t. And that realisation came from something as simple as trying to make a payment.
“Don’t Leave India for the Wrong Reasons”
When asked if Europe is a better destination than the US or if now’s the right time for Indians to move abroad, Sahil pauses thoughtfully. His answer is refreshingly honest.
“It’s not like earlier times when people left India for survival or opportunity,” he says. “Today, India is the land of opportunity. So if you leave, be clear why you’re leaving. Don’t go abroad for money — because on a purchasing power level, you might earn more in India.”
Instead, he says, move abroad only if you seek a specific kind of lifestyle — better work-life balance, different experiences, or global exposure. “In India, the opportunity cost of leaving is high. So be sure of what you’re trading it for.”
For Sahil, moving abroad was personal. “I just wanted to see more of the world. If I hadn’t done it, I’d have regretted it. That’s my reason — not economic, but emotional.”
Lessons From Abroad
Sahil has also become a popular voice on LinkedIn, sharing observations about India and Germany — the good and the bad of both worlds. But he admits, “People often take it the wrong way. If I praise India, they ask why I’m in Germany. If I praise Germany, they ask why I talk about India.”
He smiles. “It’s not India versus Germany. It’s India and Germany. We can learn from each other.”
He wants more Indians abroad to adopt the same mindset. “Let’s not debate who’s better. Let’s learn. If Germany has great public transport that keeps housing affordable — can we do something similar? I want to bring back the best of what I learn here and use it for my country.”
Discovering India’s Hidden Digital Strength
In a recent conversation on Roots to Roots, Sahil opened up about his viral comment online — calling India’s UPI system “criminally underrated.”
“I used UPI every single day in India,” he says. “It was just there — part of life. You pay for chai, groceries, cabs — everything. But you never stop to think how seamless it actually is. Only when I moved abroad did I realise how powerful it is.”
In Germany, he found himself waiting in queues at banks, filling documents for weeks, and withdrawing cash from ATMs for everyday transactions. “It’s paradoxical,” he laughs. “Germany is the world’s third-largest economy — yet, most of it still runs on cash. Digital payments exist, but they’re nowhere near as smooth and instantaneous as UPI.”
For Sahil, this was a wake-up call. What Indians take for granted every day — instant, real-time, bank-to-bank transactions — is something people in advanced economies can only dream of. “UPI hasn’t just made our lives easier,” he adds. “It has brought millions into the formal economy, enabled small vendors, and given the government real-time data for better decisions. It’s revolutionary — and yet, so underrated.”
The World Is Taking Note
Sahil says UPI is now making waves in European financial circles. “Here in Frankfurt, people in banking talk about it with awe,” he says. “Even professionals who’ve never used it know about it. They’re amazed at how India pulled this off.”
And now, it’s not just talk — it’s action. European banks have begun integrating UPI-based transactions. “When I use Wise to send money to India, I can directly enter a UPI ID,” Sahil explains. “No need for bank details. It’s that simple. Europe is learning from India now — and I hear discussions every week about implementing similar systems.”
Why Europe Moves Slower
So why hasn’t Europe caught up yet? According to Sahil, the answer lies not in technology, but culture.
“It’s not that Europe lacks innovation,” he clarifies. “It’s that Europeans are culturally more structured and risk-averse. In India, things move fast — there’s competition, speed, scale. Since the 1990s, Indians have learned to move with incredible pace. But in Europe, if something works, they stick to it. They don’t rush to change it.”
He believes this difference in mindset explains why innovations like UPI, which transform entire systems, are adopted slower in the West. “Europe plans deeply, but moves cautiously. India experiments, learns fast, and adapts faster.”
From Delhi to Frankfurt: Sahil’s Own Journey
Before moving abroad, Sahil worked with Deloitte and Accenture in India. But curiosity — not dissatisfaction — drove his decision to explore the world.
“I wanted to see more, to experience how things work outside India,” he says. “It wasn’t about money. It was about exposure. I knew I’d learn things I never could unless I lived them.”
Germany, he felt, checked all boxes — opportunities, global reputation, and openness to skilled immigrants. As an Indian Chartered Accountant, though, he quickly realised his qualification wasn’t formally recognised in Germany. But his skills were.
“There were moments at work when I produced an analysis or a presentation, and my manager would ask, ‘How did you even think of that?’ For me, it was basic. But for them, it was impressive. That’s when I realised how rigorous our CA training really is,” Sahil recalls.
He now works in a fintech company in Frankfurt, where his analytical and critical thinking skills set him apart. “Maybe I’m not using taxation knowledge daily,” he says, “but I use data analysis and problem-solving — the heart of finance.”
Advice for Aspiring Finance Professionals
For young Indians dreaming of a global finance career, Sahil offers practical, hard-earned advice.
“First, know exactly what you want,” he says. “In India, the path is broad — bachelor’s, MBA, then options. But in Europe, it’s precise. They prefer specialists. If you want to work in finance, find out what exact qualification that job requires. Maybe it’s not an MBA, but a Master’s in Finance or Accounting.”
He also stresses the importance of networking — not for self-interest, but for learning. “Europe runs on networking. Talk to people, understand their journeys, be genuine. When you network with good intentions, opportunities find you.”
A Message From Roots to Routes
As the conversation ends, Sahil’s tone turns reflective. “India is already transforming digitally, economically, socially. The world is noticing it. But we must notice it too. Let’s appreciate what we have — like UPI — and keep building forward.”
For a man living thousands of miles away from home, his message is deeply rooted in belonging — and belief.
“I may be in Germany,” he says, “but my roots are in India. And no matter where I go, I carry that with pride.”
