Dr Harshneet Kaur Bali studied her Master’s in Podiatry at the University of Salford after completing her bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery in India. Drawn to Salford because of its practical approach to teaching, she had the chance to get hands-on experience at Salford Royal Hospital.
Harshneet now works in Sydney, Australia, as a full-time podiatrist with Foot Solutions. She took some time out to tell us about her journey, which took her from India to Salford and then to Australia!
What made you choose the University of Salford, and what stands out most about your time as a student?
I chose the University of Salford because of its excellent reputation in healthcare and education, especially in my course, MSc Podiatry, which focuses on feet, ankles and lower limbs.
The University’s strong industry links and practical, patient-centred approach to learning meant I was able to train at Salford Royal Hospital, which is highly respected for its podiatry services.
Alongside the academic knowledge and clinical skills I gained, I was surrounded by supportive lecturers, diverse classmates and an environment that encouraged me to grow. That experience gave me the confidence and foundation to pursue an international career and build a life for myself abroad.
Tell us about your journey since graduating.
My journey began before Salford. Before studying podiatry, I completed my Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in India, so my career path has been unique. Combining my medical background with my podiatry training has strengthened my approach to patient care and helped me better understand patients’ overall health needs.
After graduating from Salford, I moved to Australia to pursue new opportunities and broaden my experience in healthcare.
Every step of that journey, from studying medicine in India, training in the UK, and building my career in Australia, has shaped me both personally and professionally. Each move pushed me outside my comfort zone, made me more adaptable and resilient, and reinforced my passion for delivering care across different healthcare settings and communities.
What’s a moment you’ve felt proud of since leaving Salford?
One of my proudest moments since leaving Salford has been building a successful podiatry career in Australia and earning the trust to work across multiple clinical settings. Moving to a new country and adapting to a different healthcare system was a significant challenge, but it also became one of my greatest achievements.
Working with patients who have complex needs has been incredibly rewarding because I can see the direct impact of my work on their mobility, independence and quality of life.
What do you do now, and what do you enjoy most about it?
I currently work as a full-time podiatrist with Foot Solutions Australia, providing care across four clinics in Sydney. In addition to my full-time role, I undertake locum work in several clinics, filling in for other clinicians across several clinics, including high-risk foot services where I manage patients with complex conditions such as diabetes-related foot complications and other high-risk lower limb issues.
What I enjoy most about my work is the variety and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. No two days are the same. One day I might be helping someone regain mobility and reduce pain, and the next I could be managing a patient with complex foot problems to prevent serious complications.
My background in medicine and podiatry has given me a broader perspective on patient care, which I find incredibly rewarding. I also enjoy working with multidisciplinary teams and learning from different clinical environments.
Most importantly, I love building relationships with patients and seeing the positive impact that good foot health can have on their confidence.
How did your time at Salford help shape where you are now?
My time at the University of Salford played an important role in shaping both my career and my confidence as a healthcare professional. The MSc Podiatry programme provided an excellent balance of academic learning and hands-on clinical experience, giving me the practical skills and clinical reasoning that I still use every day in practice.
Training at Salford Royal Hospital was particularly influential. Working alongside experienced clinicians exposed me to a wide range of cases and taught me the importance of evidence-based, patient-centred care. Those experiences helped build my confidence in managing complex patients and prepared me to work across different healthcare settings internationally.
The support I received from lecturers, mentors, and peers also had a lasting impact. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities outside the UK and ultimately build my career in Australia, where I now feel very much at home.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience at Salford or since graduating?
I can confidently say that choosing Salford was one of the most important decisions in my professional journey. I’ll always be proud to be part of the University of Salford alumni community and hope my story encourages other students to embrace opportunities, think globally and believe in where their education can take them.
Thank you to Harshneet for sharing her story! If you’d like to share your Salford story, we’d love to hear from you – get in touch at alumni@salford.ac.uk.