Okay, long, possibly complicated question about independence issues w/ desi ('Indian') parents.

Basically, I want to move to the US to study, and live in a dorm. I’ve planned this out, know the city I’m planning to move to pretty well (lived there before), have friends and family there, know my teachers, have a budget plan set up and everything. My mom still worries about me living alone though, especially about ‘what all the relatives will say’ (common desi problem). I’m turning 20 this year, and am tired of living based off of other people’s decisions. YOLO, right?
I also want to marry the person of my choice (and this person is from another race/religion, and is older than me (not like 20 years or something), but willing to convert to mine to make it easier for us to be together. Incredibly nice, funny, and level-headed too. So it’s not like I’m going after someone who isn’t a ‘good person’. The only thing is his race (which I personally have no problem with).

I guess, more than a question, this is a rant. I know what I want, and that I plan to go after it. I just don’t want to hurt my family in the process.. Any words of advice on how to go about this?