Zimbabwe Man Experiences India: Zimbabwe man says he came to India expecting one thing, but found another: ‘Opportunities abroad aren’t limited to the West’ |

When Kalumba Mwale moved from Zimbabwe to India for education, he expected certain things. He prepared himself for the transition to the new country. But once he landed in the country, he didn’t feel like he had to fit in; it felt like home. “Living here taught me that opportunities abroad aren’t limited to the West,” the man said in a video shared on Instagram.

Education

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Mwale talked about the difference between living in Zimbabwe and India in his Instagram Reel, captioned, “What I thought was NORMAL in Zimbabwe. Until I lived in India.” According to him, getting into university is treated like a bottleneck, as the competition is fierce. In India, “there are hundreds of universities and colleges to choose from, with options across different budgets and fields,” he said. The man also added that international students are rare on the campus back home, but that is not the case in India, where he is enrolled. “At my university, I’ve met students from dozens of different countries.” He also shared that in his country, the best way to get an international education is to go abroad; however, India provides that world-class education. “What surprised me is how many international students actually choose India for their education.”Back in Zimbabwe, when students talked about leaving to build something bigger, they named the same countries on repeat: the UK, US, Canada and Australia. But once he came to India, Mwale realised that the country offers the best opportunities.“When you think of studying or building a life abroad, the UK, US, Canada and Australia usually come to mind. Living here taught me that opportunities abroad aren’t limited to the West. And honestly, that’s one of the biggest things India has taught me. I came here from Zimbabwe expecting one thing… and ended up discovering a completely different world,” he said.

Healthcare

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Mwale also praised India’s healthcare system and compared it with that of his home country. According to him, in Zimbabwe, ‘access to specialised healthcare can be limited or expensive’. The healthcare story is completely different in India. “India has become a major destination for people travelling internationally for medical treatment,” he said. Medical and wellness tourism is booming in India. In 2024, nearly 650,000 foreign nationals travelled to India seeking medical treatment. “India has become a major destination for people travelling internationally for medical treatment,” Mwale added.

Food

The Zimbabwean man also spoke about the diverse food culture. As someone who grew up eating sadza, rice and stews, he was surprised to see the variety in Indian cuisine. “You can eat something completely different almost every day and still barely scratch the surface of Indian cuisine,” he said. The man also revealed how spice usually means ‘adding more chilli’ in his country, but in Indian cuisine, spice may mean different flavours. “Here, spice is an entire universe of flavours, and a meal without it can feel incomplete.”The video has taken the internet by storm. One netizen pointed out how people living in India do not see it the way Mwale does. “And some Indian people have taken our country for granted.” Another said, “Welcome to the most lovely yet chaotic piece of land. You’ll get everything, everything in India. Enjoy your time, bro.” A third said, “I am glad you are enjoying your time here and getting to explore things not many outsiders even think of. Hope your experience is positive.”