Last updated: September 23, 2026
Humans of Allianz
Tasbiha on her emergency surgery abroad
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It was a normal day at university when Tasbiha suddenly began to feel dizzy. As an international student pursuing her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago, she had been full of anticipation for what lay ahead. But life had other plans. Within moments, the situation escalated, and she had to be rushed to the emergency room.
Unbeknownst to her, an undiagnosed cyst had caused her lung to collapse. Within moments, her world was turned upside down, and she found herself facing one of the most difficult situations imaginable for a young student: an emergency surgery far from home.
From crisis to community
Tasbiha suddenly spent two weeks in hospital, without her family or loved ones nearby. What could have been an isolating and overwhelming experience instead became a powerful testament to the strength of community and compassion. Her support network in New Zealand quickly rallied around her. Friends, the university, and the local Pakistani community stepped in to offer help and comfort. At the heart of it all was her best friend, Alvina, a fellow international PhD student in Food Science. Their friendship, which began at the mosque, became a lifeline during Tasbiha’s recovery, providing strength, reassurance, and hope.
The role of insurance: access to care without financial worry
Equally important was the support she received from her insurance. Thanks to Studentsafe Medical and Travel Insurance from Allianz Partners, Tasbiha was able to access urgent surgery and the rehabilitation care she needed, without the added stress of financial concerns. She remembers the easy exchange with Allianz very positively: "It was an amazing experience to be very honest. I didn't have to worry about anything.” Today, Tasbiha is in good health and deeply grateful for the support she received during such a challenging time. She encourages others to be equally prepared: “I would 110% recommend Studentsafe and Allianz. It really helped me in my hard times, so it will really, really help you in your times as well.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that when the unexpected happens, having the right support network can make all the difference.
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About Allianz
The Allianz Group is one of the world’s leading insurers and asset managers, active in almost 70 countries and serving around 97 million private and corporate customers*. Our customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, including property, life and health insurance, as well as assistance services, credit and global business insurance. Recognized for the seventh consecutive year as the number one global insurance brand in Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2025 ranking, Allianz’s success is built on technology-enabled customer centricity – providing peace of mind, protection, and prevention for our customers and strengthening the resilience of individuals, communities, and societies. We are one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 791 billion euros** on behalf of our insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 2.2 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of environmental and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, Allianz received an MSCI ESG Rating of AAA (as of March 2026). In 2025, our 156,000 dedicated employees achieved a total business volume of 186.9 billion euros and an operating profit of 17.4 billion euros for our shareholders.
* As of December 31, 2025. Customer count reflects Allianz customers in consolidated entities that are part of the customer reporting scope only.
** As of June 30, 2026.
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