Sanam Jung has shared a candid glimpse into her life as an immigrant in the United States, offering fans an insight into her daily routine and challenges.
Taking it to Instagram, she shared a shot of her routine, emphasizing the necessity of hard work, especially in the absence of her husband.
“The immigrant life in the US! No Nakhra, only Kaaaaam, especially when husband is out of town,” she captioned the post.
Sanam, who moved to the US with her husband Qassam Jafri in July 2023, previously visited Karachi and reflected on the emotional challenges of leaving her family behind. “Life in Pakistan is the best,” she said, recalling how close she was to her parents and sisters. “None of us ever thought I’d move so far away.”
Initially, Sanam and her pilot husband had agreed on a long-distance relationship when he relocated to the US for his career.
However, once she received her green card, she moved to Texas with their daughter to keep the family together.
While she cherished being with her husband and daughter, Sanam acknowledged the drastic lifestyle change. She humorously shared how she once took life in Pakistan for granted, especially the availability of household help. “Even if you run out of tomatoes, there’s no one you can call on to bring them for you. And if you spill something, there’s no one to clean up after you. You have to do it all yourself.”
Recalling one of her early cooking mishaps, Sanam laughed about how an attempt to make haleem ended in disaster. “I had haleem all over the kitchen cabinets and the wall. I thought I was being clever using a masala packet, but I added too much water, and what should have taken one hour ended up taking three!”
Despite her struggles in the kitchen, Sanam praised her husband for encouraging her to outsource the cooking. However, her determination led to several culinary misadventures, including hardened jelly and runny koftay. “I don’t know how anyone can mess up jelly, but I did,” she admitted. “And my koftay were so wet that I had to get Qassam's friend's mother to fix them.”
Another challenge she faced was re-learning how to drive in the US. “In Karachi, you slow down at a green light in case someone speeds through, but you can’t do that here in Houston!” she said.
Sanam also shared how her daughter, Alaya, had adapted to her new life and school. While she initially missed her grandparents in Karachi, she eventually settled in and even urged her mother to buy a bigger house so they could move in. “She loves her school now, even though the hours are longer than in Pakistan,” Sanam shared, appreciating the supportive teachers who helped with the transition.
The MBA graduate considered pursuing further studies or a job in the US but ultimately chose to focus on expanding her business. “I have a whole team here. We’ve just launched a new perfume, and we’re doing great!” she revealed.
While she has since abandoned her experimental cooking adventures, she now confidently prepares biryani, daal, and aloo murghi. She also acknowledged the never-ending nature of house chores but expressed gratitude for her husband’s support. “Sometimes, when I’m asleep, I’ll hear him vacuuming,” she said. “I must have done something right to end up with such a man.”