Moving to another country can completely change the way a person sees the world. Things that may seem ordinary to locals can feel surprising to someone experiencing them for the first time. For Kalumba Mwale, a young man from Zimbabwe living in India, that experience has been eye-opening.
Mwale recently shared his observations on Instagram while comparing life in Zimbabwe with his experiences in India. From education and healthcare to food and culture, he highlighted several differences that changed the way he looked at opportunities outside his home country.
His post quickly caught attention online. It has since crossed 5.3 million views, with thousands of people joining the conversation about what makes India different from the Western countries that are often considered the first choice for international education and career opportunities.
India Changed His View Of Studying Abroad
One of the biggest surprises for Mwale was India’s education system. According to him, getting into university in Zimbabwe can be highly competitive. India, meanwhile, offers a vast number of colleges and institutions across different fields and price ranges.
For many students in Zimbabwe, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia are traditionally seen as the most attractive destinations for studying abroad. Mwale said his experience in India made him realise that opportunities outside one’s home country are not limited to Western nations.
“When you think of studying or building a life abroad, the UK, US, Canada and Australia usually come to mind,” he wrote. “Living here taught me that opportunities abroad aren’t limited to the West.” His observation reflects a growing interest in India among international students. The country has universities and colleges offering programmes across engineering, medicine, business, technology, humanities and several other disciplines. For a student looking for more affordable international education, India can therefore offer a different route compared with some of the traditionally popular Western destinations.
He Was Surprised By India’s International Student Community
Mwale also pointed out that India attracts students from countries around the world. He said that while many Zimbabweans commonly look towards Western nations when considering international education, he discovered that students from dozens of countries also choose India.
That experience appears to have challenged his earlier assumptions about what studying abroad looks like. Instead of viewing international education only through the lens of the US, UK, Canada or Australia, Mwale said his time in India showed him that there are other possibilities.
India’s large education ecosystem gives international students access to a wide range of academic institutions. Costs can also vary considerably depending on the course, college and location, giving students different options based on their budgets and requirements.
India’s Healthcare System Also Impressed Him
Education was not the only area that stood out to Mwale. He also compared healthcare in Zimbabwe with what he has seen in India. According to him, access to specialised medical care can sometimes be limited or expensive in Zimbabwe. India, on the other hand, has developed a reputation as an important destination for people travelling internationally for medical treatment.
“India has become a major destination for people travelling internationally for medical treatment,” he wrote. India has a large healthcare sector that includes government hospitals, private hospitals, specialised medical centres and institutions that treat patients from different parts of the world. For Mwale, seeing this side of India added another dimension to his experience.
His comments also reflect how living in another country can reveal aspects that tourists may never notice during a short visit. Instead of simply seeing India’s famous landmarks, he has been experiencing its education, healthcare, food and everyday culture.
Indian Food Was A Completely Different Experience
Food became another major talking point in Mwale’s post. He compared the everyday meals he grew up with in Zimbabwe to the sheer variety he encountered in India. According to Mwale, meals in Zimbabwe often include staples such as sadza, rice and stews. He said spice is usually associated with adding more chilli. “Sadza, rice and stews are some of the meals you’ll see regularly,” he said for Zimbabwe, adding that “Spice usually means adding more chilli.”
His experience with Indian food was completely different. India’s cuisine varies significantly from one region to another. The flavours, ingredients and cooking techniques can change dramatically depending on where a person travels. Mwale highlighted exactly that variety.
He added that in India, “you can eat something completely different almost every day and still barely scratch the surface of Indian cuisine.”
For him, Indian spices are not simply about making food hotter. They represent a much wider range of flavours and ingredients. He described spice in India as an entire universe of flavours and said a “meal without it can feel incomplete”. The observation struck a chord with Indian users, many of whom are familiar with the enormous variety of regional cuisines across the country.
His Time In India Changed His Perspective
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Mwale’s experience is the change in his mindset. Before coming to India, he had a more conventional view of studying and building a life abroad. Like many students, he associated international opportunities primarily with Western countries.
Living in India challenged that idea. His experience showed him that world-class education and career opportunities can exist in places that may not always be the first destinations people consider. It also allowed him to experience India’s culture beyond the usual tourist image. From food and education to healthcare and everyday life, Mwale’s observations were based on what he encountered personally. His post therefore became less about comparing one country against another and more about showing how living abroad can broaden a person’s understanding of the world.
Internet Welcomes Mwale To India
The video received an overwhelming response on social media. With more than 5.3 million views, it sparked thousands of reactions from users, many of whom welcomed Mwale and appreciated his positive observations. One person wrote, “Welcome to the most lovely yet the chaotic piece of land. You’ll get everything, everything in India. Enjoy your time, bro.” Another user said, “I am glad you are enjoying your time here and getting to explore things not many outsiders even think of. Hope your experience stays positive.”
Some users also focused on the country’s highly competitive education system. One commenter wrote, “One thing in India: exams are competitive, colleges are competitive, but the silver lining a large course of options to choose from. If you work hard, you won’t fail, but 6-7 out of the 10 hardest examinations of the world is Indian.” The reactions reflected both pride and realism. While many Indians welcomed Mwale’s observations, others also pointed out that life in India comes with its own challenges.
A Different Perspective On India
Mwale’s story has attracted attention because it offers an outsider’s perspective on India. The country is often discussed through statistics, economic growth, infrastructure and its rapidly expanding technology sector. But individual experiences can offer a different understanding.
For someone coming from Zimbabwe, India’s huge education ecosystem, specialised healthcare facilities and diverse food culture can be striking. At the same time, every country has its strengths and weaknesses. A positive experience does not mean that every aspect of life is perfect. Instead, Mwale’s observations show how moving abroad can challenge preconceived ideas. His biggest realisation appears to be that opportunities are not confined to a handful of Western nations.
Conclusion
Kalumba Mwale’s experience in India has offered social media users a fresh perspective on education, healthcare, food and culture. His observations about India’s diverse colleges, medical facilities and enormous culinary variety have resonated with millions of viewers.
The most important part of his story, however, may be the change in his outlook. As someone from Zimbabwe, he arrived with the common idea that the UK, US, Canada and Australia were the obvious destinations for building a life abroad. Living in India changed that perception. His journey is a reminder that travelling or studying in another country can do more than provide a new address. It can challenge assumptions, introduce new possibilities and make the world feel much larger than it appeared before.
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