I am a dental student in the US from Malaysia. Have been living in the US for about seven years now and I would like to share some insights that may help view things from another perspective.

Let's consider a few other interesting facts:

  1. A comment was made that Western countries are going through a phase of a "brain drain". Let me tell you that it is not true. This is why. Countries like the US are continuously reaching out in welcoming more and more foreign citizens in all important fields such as engineering, IT and medicine. They will never go through a "brain drain".

  • If you recently graduated from a dental or medical school in the US, regardless of where you are originally from, you are eligible to apply for an expedited green card. In fact, they will approve your green card almost immediately so that you can start working.

  • All professors are encouraged to do research and studies in the summer and publish them. The more publications you have, the more likely you will receive a raise.

  • The US was worried about a report published few months ago that foreign enrollment for Masters courses were dropping due to tighter visa restrictions. They admitted that less foreign enrollment would greatly affect the development of R&D in the country. Why? Because most R&D is done by foreigners and they are greatly recognised for it.

  • I know a South Korean guy who graduated from my school and went on to become a dentist. Two years after graduating from dental school, he returned to my university to give a presentation. His English was fair, not that great, but guess what? His two dental practices in the state of Utah were making a US$3 million a year profit (not revenue).

    • In Malaysia, the pay for a medical lab assistant with a bachelor's degree is RM800 - RM1,000. In the US, the pay for the same position is US$1,800 - US$2,400. And they do look at colour actually. If you are a foreigner (with a permit of course), preference will be given to you as you are known to be loyal and hardworking.

    With all this, if a person is qualified and has a family to support, why would he want to go through the trouble of "not getting a promotion because of colour" or "not getting admitted to university because of the race quotas"?

    And lastly, after spending more than RM400,000 for medical school, you have to spend five years labouring for the government not knowing how your are going to pay off your debt.

    We have to take care of ourselves first and after that worry about patriotism. Patriotism is not going to put food on the table or grow a money tree outside my house.

    I am not planning on returning back to Malaysia (to settle) unless things change in Malaysia. But with the money I will earn, I can visit Malaysia every year and contribute to the tourism industry. When I reach the age of 60 and retire, then I will return to Malaysia.