Hey all!

I’m just over halfway through my study abroad experience in Mussoorie, and I couldn’t be happier I decided on this trip. Since I arrived here in early May, I’ve done stunning backcountry hikes, sampled plenty of local food, and learned a lot about local and national culture and values.

The pace of life as a student here is similar to back home, with some variation in the details. Instead of getting woken up in the middle of the night by ambulances and helicopters on their way to Presby, we get woken up by loud dogs or monkeys running across our roof (the puppy in the picture would never do that, though). Instead of hiking up Cardiac Hill to get to class, we take a long walk through a winding mountain road. We also still spend weekends exploring, shopping, or hanging out together. It’s been a great mix of novelty and familiarity.

Learning to be a Wilderness First Responder has been an adventure in and of itself. Our class spends 6-8 hours a day alternating between lectures and practice scenarios. Our instructors also have a love for pulling the rug out from under us during scenarios, often throwing us in before we’ve been trained for that emergency just to see what we do. It’s been one of the faster-paced classes I’ve taken in college, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.

I can’t wait to continue sharpening my skills as a first responder in such a beautiful environment. I’ll post again after the program has ended with a reflection on what I’ve learned during my 6 weeks!