26M (F-1 in U.S., no degree program), deciding whether to stay in U.S. or move back home

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26M (F-1 in U.S., no degree program), deciding whether to stay in U.S. or move back home

I’m 26 years old, originally from Europe (non-Spanish country). I came to the U.S. ~3 years ago.

Current situation:

•	Status: F-1 (English school, not a degree program)

•	❌ Not eligible for OPT or H1B through current program

•	Working as a restaurant manager (under the table)

•	Income: \~$4,000–$6,000/month

•	Rent: $950/month

•	Schedule: 6 days/week, 4pm–1am

•	Savings: \~$20,000 (some credit-based flexibility)

•	Married (to a friend), not a major factor in decision-making

Education:

•	Studied software engineering back home

•	Left university with \~3 semesters remaining

Main issue:

Money is what is keeping me here. I work long hours and earn decent income, but it’s hard to leave or reduce work to go back to school.

Options I’m considering:

1. Stay in the U.S.

   • Continue working and saving money

   • No clear legal long-term path due to visa situation

   • Likely eventual need to leave or reset status

2. Go back home and finish degree

   • Finish ~3 semesters of software engineering

   • Rebuild career in tech

   • More stable long-term path

3. Go back and become a pilot

   • Use savings + financing for flight school

   • Aviation is a good career in my country

   • Expensive and takes years to become fully established

Additional context:

•	I may be able to switch into a degree program in the U.S., but not sure financially or realistically

•	Pilot path is something I’m genuinely interested in, but also considering because I feel stuck

•	I could continue current job for a few more years, but there is no long-term structure or visa path

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Questions:

1.	Is it a mistake to stay in the U.S. just for income with no legal long-term pathway?

2.	Would you prioritize finishing the remaining degree or pursuing pilot training?

3.	If you were in my situation, would you keep saving in the U.S. or reset and rebuild back home?

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