Through my wonderful time studying abroad in the Himalayas, I was surprised by how quickly I was able to form strong friendships with the people around me and by how much I was able to explore and get used to stepping outside my comfort zone.
When I first got to India, I did not know anyone and was a little nervous about meeting new people in an unfamiliar environment. This quickly became the least of my worries as everyone I met was incredibly kind and welcoming. Not only did I form very close relationships with my peers (who I can now call some of my best friends), but I formed the same close relationships with my teachers and other people I met in the community.
My plan of study is to go to medical school and become a doctor. I want to be able to make a difference in other people’s life. This experience in the Himalayas has only strengthened my desire to become a physician to help people in the most rewarding way possible. Getting to see how kind people are treated in India and how everyone looks after each other is something I strive to do in medicine. I have also considered volunteering for Doctors without Borders after getting my medical degree and this experience showed me how much help third-world countries need in the realm of healthcare. For all the kindness that I have received from everyone I have crossed paths with in India, whether it be my teachers or the cooks in the cafeteria or even the shop owners in the Bizarre, I feel an obligation to pay my gratitude forward and someday come back to help those less fortunate than I am.
When deciding where to study abroad, I was choosing in between this trip or a different medicine trip to Austria. I am so glad I choose this trip and have absolutely no regrets. My biggest advice to those looking to study abroad or adventure to a new place is to push yourself out of your comfort zone and not be afraid to explore new cultures. Any new place is going to teach you something new, but I highly encourage more people to take advantage of programs that go outside of the Western world to break down stereotypes and open doors for giving back to those not as fortunate as we are in the US.
