An Indian-origin software developer recently captured attention online by sharing a video of his first day at work in India after returning from Sweden. The clip, uploaded on Instagram by Dev Vijay Vargiya, quickly went viral, gathering more than a million views. In the recording, he humorously compared his work routine in Europe with the realities of his fresh start in India.
A Rocky Morning Commute
Dev’s day started with a hiccup. The ride he booked never arrived, forcing him to cancel and look for alternatives. He remarked on how predictable transport in Sweden was, where a 20-minute commute reliably took 20 minutes. In contrast, he found that the same distance in India stretched nearly double the time because of traffic jams and poorly maintained roads.
Security Checks and Wi-Fi Struggles
Reaching his office did not smooth things out. The entrance felt less like a workplace and more like passing through an airport checkpoint, with multiple layers of verification. Once inside, he ran into another challenge—getting online. What should have been a quick process turned into a comical circle. Colleagues sent him to the IT department, IT redirected him to Administration, and Admin suggested he email HR. By the time lunch rolled around, he was still disconnected.
Food and Friendships as a Relief
Not everything about the day was frustrating. Dev found comfort in the canteen, where he praised the quality of Indian office meals, calling them unmatched compared to what he had abroad. Later in the day, instead of his usual hot chocolate from Sweden, he enjoyed a tea break with a colleague, adding a familiar warmth to the experience.
Adjusting to Cultural Shifts
Reflecting on the day, Dev acknowledged that transitioning back into the Indian work culture would come with difficulties. Still, he also saw it as a learning process and remained open to discovering the contrasts between European and Indian professional environments.
Social Media Responds
The video sparked lively responses online. One viewer expressed disbelief at his Wi-Fi troubles, pointing out that no IT company realistically asks employees to email HR for technical support. Others were blunt, suggesting he should have remained in Sweden rather than struggle with the Indian system again.
The Other Side of Life Abroad
In a separate video, Dev spoke candidly about the hardships of living overseas. He highlighted how job security in Europe is fragile for foreigners—losing employment means having to leave the country within a week, regardless of years spent working or paying taxes.
He also pointed out the steep costs of living, with rent and groceries consuming nearly all income, leaving little room for savings. The weather, too, disappointed him. Summers stretched unnaturally long, with daylight lingering until 10 or 11 pm, while winters brought endless darkness. Above all, he confessed that the sense of loneliness abroad was one of the most difficult challenges to overcome.
A Rocky Morning Commute
Dev’s day started with a hiccup. The ride he booked never arrived, forcing him to cancel and look for alternatives. He remarked on how predictable transport in Sweden was, where a 20-minute commute reliably took 20 minutes. In contrast, he found that the same distance in India stretched nearly double the time because of traffic jams and poorly maintained roads.
Security Checks and Wi-Fi Struggles
Reaching his office did not smooth things out. The entrance felt less like a workplace and more like passing through an airport checkpoint, with multiple layers of verification. Once inside, he ran into another challenge—getting online. What should have been a quick process turned into a comical circle. Colleagues sent him to the IT department, IT redirected him to Administration, and Admin suggested he email HR. By the time lunch rolled around, he was still disconnected.
Food and Friendships as a Relief
Not everything about the day was frustrating. Dev found comfort in the canteen, where he praised the quality of Indian office meals, calling them unmatched compared to what he had abroad. Later in the day, instead of his usual hot chocolate from Sweden, he enjoyed a tea break with a colleague, adding a familiar warmth to the experience.
Adjusting to Cultural Shifts
Reflecting on the day, Dev acknowledged that transitioning back into the Indian work culture would come with difficulties. Still, he also saw it as a learning process and remained open to discovering the contrasts between European and Indian professional environments.
Social Media Responds
The video sparked lively responses online. One viewer expressed disbelief at his Wi-Fi troubles, pointing out that no IT company realistically asks employees to email HR for technical support. Others were blunt, suggesting he should have remained in Sweden rather than struggle with the Indian system again.
The Other Side of Life Abroad
In a separate video, Dev spoke candidly about the hardships of living overseas. He highlighted how job security in Europe is fragile for foreigners—losing employment means having to leave the country within a week, regardless of years spent working or paying taxes.
He also pointed out the steep costs of living, with rent and groceries consuming nearly all income, leaving little room for savings. The weather, too, disappointed him. Summers stretched unnaturally long, with daylight lingering until 10 or 11 pm, while winters brought endless darkness. Above all, he confessed that the sense of loneliness abroad was one of the most difficult challenges to overcome.
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