‘I Wish I Knew Before Coming’: Polish model moves to India, surprises internet with candid truths

Polish influencer and model Dominika Patalas-Kalra, who has been living in India, recently shared a Instagram reel talking about her candid everyday realities she experienced In India. The reel, which quickly went viral, focused on authentic moments that challenged common stereotypes foreigners often carry about India.

Dominika's Viral Instagram Post:

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A post shared by Dominika Patalas-Kalra (@domipatalas)

The viral Instagram reel titled, “I wish I knew it before I came to India,” listing five myths she noticed were widely misunderstood by foreigners before coming to India.


She tackles the food stereotype first: “Not all food here is spicy, you just have to know which place to choose.” Viewers agreed that Indian cuisine is far more varied than outsiders imagine.

She challenges the perception of poverty: “If you think India is poor, then you have two options: don’t come here or notice how many people are driving luxury cars and have a comfortable lifestyle much better than in Europe.”

Dominika urges travellers to look beyond the usual tourist hotspots. Exploring local neighbourhoods, she says, provides a richer, more authentic experience than just visiting iconic sites.

She also highlights Indian hospitality: “Indians treat foreigners like guests and want them to feel comfortable in every situation.” Followers shared similar anecdotes, turning the comments into a thread of shared real-life experiences.

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Her reel sparked discussions about how first-hand experiences, rather than stereotypes, shape perceptions of India.

Adding a practical perspective, Dominika also posted reels noting that the Delhi Metro feels safe for passengers and that a bottle of water at Delhi Airport is far cheaper than in Poland, surprising many followers about local affordability.

A viewer summed it up: “It is not better than Europe, but not every place on earth can be Europe… India is growing in its own way rather than having a prejudice people need to have open mind.” Another viewer appreciated Dominika’s effort, saying she “deserves respect for actually showing our culture in a good light”.