I moved back to India after 5 years in the US. I was startled and disoriented by reverse culture shock — here's how I moved forward.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Left: Vaishali Gauba on a CBS news set; Right: Vaishali Gauba holding a reporter's Microsoft and wearing Indian-style clothes.
Gauba had to leave the US after 5 years because she couldn't get an H-1B visa.

Courtesy of Vaishali Gauba

I thought I'd be lonely moving to a new city at 58. I swallowed my fear and made a friend I now consider a brother.

Tech Insider : Business
Scott Scovel and his friend Bruno are sitting down at a table for lunch. On the table there's some sushi on plates and drink glasses.
Scovel reconnected with his acquaintance, Bruno, and the two became good friends.

Courtesy of Scott Scovel

I moved to the US for my husband, who was on an H-1B visa. Life as a 'visa bride' was incredibly lonely, but I'm starting to feel I belong.

Tech Insider : Business
Left: Ashwini Gangal with her husband. holding wine glasses Right: The shadows of Gangal and her husband cast on sandy ground.
Gangal has struggled to find full-time work in the US.

Courtesy of Ashwini Gangal

I was a senior leader in Big Tech, and I'm worried by middle managers losing jobs. They're essential — if you know how to use them.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Judd Antin standing in front of a river. He's wearing a coat with the Airbnb logo.
Antin once had to lay off more than 25% of his team.

Courtesy of Judd Antin

I saved $3 million but was afraid to spend it when I retired. Here's how I changed my mindset after being frugal for decades.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
Scott Scovel posing in front of a group of wildebeest and zebras.
Scovel is aiming to pay himself $50,000 a year for fun experiences in retirement.

Courtesy of Scott Scovel

I saved aggressively from age 34 to achieve FIRE. Here's why I stopped despite living the dream of quitting my job to travel.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Charlie Brown standing with a view of Lisbon behind her.
Charlie Brown quit the FIRE movement earlier this year over a moral dilemma.

Courtesy of Charlie Brown

I thought I'd save money living as a digital nomad, but managing finances on the move was unexpectedly stressful — and I was lonely.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Matt Lillywhite in front of the Sydney Opera House
Lillywhite now lives with his family in Dorset, England.

Courtesy of Matthew Lillywhite

I'm experimenting with AI in my 70s. I've had to adapt to new technologies my entire career — those who embrace change survive.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Orrin Onken in a chair looking at his phone
The writer, Orrin Onken, realized he was checking his phone dozens of times a day for little or no reason.

Courtesy of Orrin Onken

I moved from the US to Argentina for the lower cost of living. It helped me pay down student debt, but living abroad had its dark side.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Left: Greyson Ferguson. Right: An aerial view of Tirana, Albania
Ferguson moved to Tirana, Albania, in April 2025.

Courtesy of Greyson Ferguson; starpik/Getty Images

I turned my failed Etsy shop into a business that made $1 million in its first year. Here's how I did it by 21.

Tech Insider
Keida Dervishi, co-founder of Soulmate Customs
Keida Dervishi is the 21-year-old cofounder of Soulmate Customs.

Keida Dervishi

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