When Wen-Hsing Huang moved to the United States in 2022 for graduate school, he was chasing the American Dream.
As a top graduate from Taiwan’s National Central University, he aimed to work in Big Tech, earn a high salary, and eventually become an entrepreneur.
Like many international students, he viewed the US as a land of opportunity, a place to build a career and secure a future.
But after two years in the US, working for Amazon and riding through visa challenges, Huang realised that the dream he had envisioned was no longer his.
Instead of following the path dictated by visa rules and economic uncertainty, he is now planning to return to Taiwan to take control of his future and pursue entrepreneurship on his own terms.
‘Living life at the mercy of a visa is hard’
Huang’s initial plan was typical for international students in the US, study, work on an F-1 visa, and then apply for an H-1B visa to remain and eventually get a green card.
“I wanted to work for a company that could apply for a green card for me, work full time, and become a senior software engineer. Then, I could finally pursue my dream of entrepreneurship,” he told Business Insider.
However, finding a job after graduation was not easy. In 2022, with massive tech layoffs at companies like Meta and Twitter, job opportunities were scarce.
Huang had borrowed $100,000 from his parents to study in the US, and he was under immense pressure. “If I didn’t land a job after graduation, I would have to leave within 60 days, $100,000 in debt to my parents,” he explained to Business Insider.
This intense pressure led to a period of stress and self-reflection, but also valuable life lessons.
Despite the challenges, Huang eventually landed a job at Amazon, a major milestone for his career. Still, the insecurity surrounding his visa status loomed large.
“I always had to filter every decision through ‘Will this affect my visa status?’ rather than ‘Is this what I actually want to do?,” he told Business Insider. The constant worry about immigration status and potential deportation caused him to rethink his long-term goals.
Facing H-1B visa uncertainty
After struggling with his visa issues and facing uncertainty about his future in the US, Huang had a turning point.
In April 2025, after failing to be selected for the H-1B visa lottery for the second time, Huang realised something important: he did not need to stay in the US to achieve his dreams.
“I don’t want to sacrifice my 20s chasing an uncertain and illusory American dream,” he said to Business Insider.
Huang made peace with the fact that his future might not include staying in the US. Instead, he plans to return to Taiwan, where he can enjoy a lower cost of living, better healthcare, and more freedom to build his own business.
“The new American dream isn’t about staying in America. It’s about using the skills, network, and savings you build here to create a life where you’re not at the mercy of visas, layoffs, or politics,” Huang explained to Business Insider.
For Huang, leaving the US is not a failure; it’s a step towards freedom. “Leaving means I can finally make decisions based on what I want to build, not what my visa allows,” he said to Business Insider.
What is the way forward for him?
As Huang plans his next steps, he remains grateful for his time in the US.
“I earned my degree, gained Big Tech experience, and broadened my perspective,” he told Business Insider. While the US gave him valuable lessons in resilience and perseverance, Huang now seeks a future where he can control his own destiny.
For him, returning to Taiwan is not a retreat but a chance to shape his future on his own terms. “I believe America still exists in spirit. But for me, leaving means freedom. I can finally live life based on my values, not a visa,” he reflects as he spoke to Business Insider.
Huang’s story is a reminder that the American Dream doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all journey. For some, it may mean seeking opportunities elsewhere. For others, it may be about finding freedom and entrepreneurship on their own turf.