Interesting topic.
I have gone thru US education system since Grade (class) 7th and thru the university. I have lived in US for 20 years. Telling to just to establish my credibility.
If you already have a job in Pakistan, then please don't make a mistake of moving to US or Canada or any other Western country, just for "more money". It is not that easy. Trust me, I've been in US for 20 years with parents and all, but still my mission of education is not complete.
The life here is not as easy. You have to consider the complete package. The environment, the people, the food, being alienated etc. can push alot of people into deep depression. The pay rate, as many have mentioned varies alot from state to state. from as low as $5 or $6 per hour to as high as $10 or $11. But higher the pay, the more the cost of living, so no difference if you make $5 or $10 its all pre-calculated to reflect cost of living in that area.
You will have to work very very hard, long hours or maximum allowed hours. Trust me, I have done full time Night job, 11pm to 7am, and then full time school, from 2pm till 10pm. With only 4 to 5 hours sleep in between. Even after doing that, I am still struggling, and going for second Degree now in Healthcare field.
My first Degree was in Bachelors Degree in BBA in Finance from US in 2001, after 7 years of struggling to find a decent job, above High School level paying job, I started work on Healthcare field. In America, Healthcare field is one of the only field remaining with good prospects. Business Degree specially, Bachelors is waste of money and time. I've seen many MBA's (local US resident and Citizens) struggling to make a living.
Bottom Line; Stay in Pakistan. In USA, you will be looking at working at McDonalds, doing dish washing, etc. Not that anything wrong with it, I've done it myself, but is it the type of life you are dreaming about. USA or Canada, or Western Countries, life is not as easy as we imagine it to be sitting in Pakistan. It is extremely hard, but if you are willing to take the challenge then its upto you.
If people of Pakistan realize that they can make it good in Pakistan (As Chinese students in China and even Indian students are now realizing in India), if they hard just as hard, as they are willing to work hard in USA or other foreign countries, Pakistan can be a developed country too. It just needs sincere Hard Working people willing to put in the time and effort that they put in the foreign countries.
