It has only been a couple of days since returning home from India, and I have already found myself reflecting on the daily experiences that became normal over the six weeks I spent there. In many ways, I find myself experiencing more culture shock now than I did while I was in India. Returning home has made me much more aware of how my perspective and way of thinking have changed as a result of this experience. Things that once felt unfamiliar became part of my daily routine, and now I often catch myself comparing aspects of life at home to what I experienced in the Himalayan region.

Looking back, the biggest takeaways from this experience were immersing myself in a different culture, learning how diverse religions guide the daily lives of community members, and seeing how content Indian people are with their way of life and the strong sense of community that supports it. Before traveling to India, I expected to learn about healthcare and public health, but I was not expecting to learn so much from simply observing how people interact with one another and approach everyday life. Whether it was through religious practices or passing a friend in the town, there was a noticeable emphasis on community and supporting one another that was heartwarming to watch. Spending six weeks in that environment challenged many of my assumptions and helped me recognize that health and quality of life are influenced by much more than access to resources or material possessions alone.

One of my biggest takeaways from this experience was realizing that healthcare in India is about much more than simply treating an illness or injury. Throughout both my clinical observations and Wilderness First Responder training, there was a strong emphasis on recognizing the patient as a person first and making sure they felt comfortable, respected, and heard before any treatment took place. One of the most repeated phrases throughout our Wilderness First Responder course was, “slow is fast and fast is smooth.” While it was often used when teaching patient assessments and treatment skills, I found that it also reflected the overall approach to patient care. Rather than rushing through treatment, there was an emphasis on taking the time to do things correctly the first time while making sure the patient felt safe and supported throughout the process. Whether it was explaining what was happening, ensuring a patient was in a comfortable position, or simply building trust through conversation, I noticed that patient care extended beyond the medical treatment itself. This experience reminded me that some of the most important aspects of healthcare are how a provider approaches a patient and their ability to deliver care with compassion, empathy, and respect.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to gain an education from across the globe. During the first two weeks of the program, I took the Mountains and Medicine course, where guest speakers came in and shared their personal experiences and knowledge about life in the Himalayan region. I really enjoyed hearing directly from individuals who have lived and worked in these communities because it allowed me to better understand the culture, their perspectives on the healthcare system, and the public health challenges they have experienced firsthand. These were perspectives that I would not have been able to gain through a textbook alone. The following four weeks were filled with Wilderness First Responder lectures, hands-on practice scenarios, and clinical rotations. These days were what I looked forward to most because they gave me a glimpse into what it is like to learn emergency medicine in outdoor and resource-limited environments. My favorite part was getting the opportunity to act as the lead responder during scenarios, where I was able to apply the knowledge and skills I had learned to assess patients, determine possible illnesses or injuries, and work through treatment plans alongside my group. Not only did these scenarios strengthen my confidence and critical-thinking skills, but they also created some of my favorite memories from the entire program.

While I learned a lot throughout the program, some of my biggest growth happened outside of the classroom. This was my first time leaving the United States, so many parts of daily life were completely different from what I was used to. I challenged myself to make the most of my time in India, and I think I can confidently say that I did. Whether it was spending time in town, visiting new places, talking with local community members, or trying things I normally would not have done at home, I took advantage of the opportunities that were in front of me. Looking back, I am glad I said yes to experiences that initially made me nervous because many of them ended up being the parts of the trip I enjoyed the most. This trip sparked my interest in emergency medicine and inspired me to obtain my EMT certification. More importantly, it reminded me how much there is to learn when you are willing to step outside of your normal routine and experience something completely different. When I boarded my flight home, I realized I was not the same person who had arrived in India six weeks earlier. The experiences, people, and lessons I gained throughout the program are something I know I will continue to reflect on for a long time and I am so fortunate that I was able to experience this program!