Graduate Spotlight: Prachi Dabholkar

Student with black hair smiling

Prachi Dabholkar, MPH’26

Master of Public Health

Home Country and City

Mumbai, India

Connection to Western International

International student

Why I chose Western

I chose the MPH program at Western because it mainly focuses on case-based experiential learning. Western has one of the most experienced faculty from the field and has excellent research opportunities and infrastructure.

Favourite memories of my time at Western

There are many, but my favourite memories at Western are playing squash at the recreational center with my squash club buddies, working on projects with my team in the UCC while enjoying meals from the Cove, and, lastly, spending almost 10-12 hours in the MPH lounge studying and collaborating with my classmates.

Accomplishments I'm especially proud of

I am proud of having come so far from home and settling down in a new country with such confidence. Western allowed me to present my work at various conferences and competitions, which I am most proud of.

My plans for the future

I want to start working as soon as possible within the public health space. I also have plans for pursuing a PhD after gaining some work experience.

In five years, I will work as a senior-level executive in a public health organization in Canada.

A fun fact about me

I like to do a variety of completely unrelated things, from managing social media for a small business to writing and publishing a novel called “The Pinky Promise,” which is available in India.

My advice for new students

Be yourself! Make the most of all the opportunities you get, both personal and professional, but remember everything happens for a reason, and whatever happens, happens for our own good!