Zimbabwe student lists 7 reasons he loves studying in India

For Zimbabwean student Kalumba Mwale, coming to India was supposed to be about one thing: getting a degree. Three years later, he says the experience gave him far more than an education — so much so that he joked that choosing to study in India was a “mistake”.

Mwale shared his experience on Instagram, listing seven things about life in India that changed the way he sees the country and, eventually, made him want to stay.

“I came here for a degree… and ended up wanting to stay. India became much more than just the country where I studied,” Mwale wrote.

From affordable food to UPI convenience

One of the biggest changes, he said, was getting used to the affordability and convenience of everyday life in India.

Mwale said he became accustomed to eating out without spending much and now finds food prices back home noticeably different.

“I got used to how cheap eating out can be. Now I look at food prices back home differently,” he said.

Then came UPI, which he said completely transformed the way he handled everyday payments.

“UPI completely spoiled me. I can pay for chai, food, transport and almost anything with my phone,” Mwale wrote.

Food itself became another reason India grew on him. He said he had become “addicted” to Indian cuisine, singling out biryani, butter chicken, dosa and momos among his favourites.

Three years and still discovering India

Travel also played a major role in Mwale’s experience.

Despite spending three years in the country, he said India still felt too vast and diverse to fully explore.

“Even after three years, I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of India,” he wrote.

His education also exposed him to people from different parts of the country and from around the world, giving him an opportunity to experience India's cultural and linguistic diversity beyond the classroom.

“Studying in India exposed me to different Indian cultures, languages and people from countries I never expected to meet,” Mwale said.

‘India became a place I genuinely feel connected to’

For Mwale, however, the biggest impact was personal.

What started as an overseas education experience gradually changed his idea of what home could mean.

“I came here as a Zimbabwean student. Somewhere along the way, India became a place I genuinely feel connected to,” he wrote.

He later clarified that describing his decision to study in India as a “mistake” was meant sarcastically. The seven points he listed were, in fact, some of the best things that happened to him after making the decision to come to India.

“I came for education but stayed for the experiences, friendships and memories,” he said.

Social media welcomes him

Mwale’s post drew a warm response online, with several users telling him that India had effectively become his second home.

“It’s always heartwarming to hear someone born abroad say they love the country I was born in,” one user commented.

Another wrote, “I think India is like a second home for you now,” while suggesting that Mwale learn to cook Indian food or create reels around his experiences.

“Whoever comes to India once becomes a part of India forever,” another user wrote.

“Welcome, brother. If you welcome the change, you can treat India like a second home,” another commenter said.