Exciting news! In late November I was chosen for a Global Health Grant offered my university, so my next 4-week elective will be abroad. I am leaving tonight to travel farther than I have ever traveled before.
About $20 in Indian Rupees.
India here I come! I hoped to take advantage of opportunities to go abroad during my 4th year of medical school. Now I am about to visit a country I have deeply admired since childhood.
My first memory of Indian culture was attending an Indian dance festival when I was in the 2nd grade. The spicy smells, crowds and exotic music drew me in. The brilliant stories of romance unfolded with hand gestures accented by pleated fabric, and more shiny gold than I had ever seen before.
Since then, I’ve had friends and colleagues from India, parents and relatives who traveled to India, and many delicious Indian meals (some I even cooked myself). In fact, let’s check out my spice rack right now…
Indian spices alongside “Spanish Paprika” and “Southwest Rub,” a beautiful example of our globalized world. Medicine is participating in this type of globalization too, a deluge of diseases and treatment styles spice up the science. I’m proud that my school believes global experience is important for future physicians. So do a growing number of residency programs who I noticed advertising “global health” as part of their curriculum.
Most people have asked me some version of: “Do you know what you’ll actually be doing?!” Not exactly. I was told I would be given “postings” in “Community Health” (India’s version of “Family Medicine”) and “Infectious Disease.” As a total outsider, I certainly don’t expect to be very useful, but I’ll have lots of humility, gratitude and compassion, and I’ll do what medical students do best, be a sponge.
For the last week, I’ve mainly been focussing on preparation. I read about India. I communicated with Indians. I spent an hour gawking at Google Earth (after which I felt like a speck of dust in the universe). I started my antimalarial prophylaxis. And now it’s time to pack… packing LIGHT… a true art form!
What's in my bag for this global health trip?
Liz –
Sounds like an incredible opportunity. Bon voyage and have a great experience!
Laura and Charlie Thomforde
What a wonderful opportunity! I loved the post and the pictures, each telling their own thousand words. I wish much learning, and so much to experience!
Anne Collins