Early this year I met a Chinese immigration lawyer at a Spring Festival party. She told me something about her Indian clients that I didn't know before.
Here's one difference between Chinese and Indians and how it might impact their experience in the U.S. While most Chinese students in America come from affluent families in China, like my sisters' sons, most of Indians are just the opposite. Many are supported financially by their extended families.
While Chinese students typically come to the U.S. for a college degree, Indians come to the U.S. determined to never go back, considering it a dead end if they do. If push comes to shove, many choose to serve in the U.S. armed forces in order to be eligible for naturalization.
There is a Chinese saying that applies to this situation perfectly: 背水一战 (Bèi-shuǐ-yī-zhàn). The literal meaning is: "fighting with one's back to a body of water." This means retreating is not a live option. This describes a battle situation where soldiers have no choice but to put up a neck-breaking desperate fight.
People are surprised to see tons of Indian CEOs in top American companies. Some attribute it to their master of English. However, language can't explain why they are doing better than most native speakers.
The truth is, due to the limited options that they have in lives, they are like fighting with their back against the wall, something unimaginable to Americans and many spoiled little emperors or princesses from China.
I think of the meaning of a comfortable life, too many choices, how they could lead to lack of grit and motivation and the will to face challenges in life. Sometimes, people might perform better when having limited options.