Before this program, I never really questioned how I defined success. Growing up in the United States, success often seemed tied to education, occupation, financial stability, and social status. As I spent more time in India and listened to the experiences of the people around me, I found myself reflecting on whether those were the only things that truly define a successful life and career.
During the first two weeks of the Mountains and Medicine course, many of the guest speakers shared stories about their careers and the work they had done to benefit their communities. As I listened to the different speakers, I noticed a common theme. Rather than focusing on their own accomplishments, many of them spent more time talking about the people they had helped and the projects they had worked on to improve the lives of others. The speakers came from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from healthcare to environmental conservation, yet they all seemed to take the most pride in the impact they were able to make within their communities. Hearing this repeatedly throughout the course really highlighted the idea of putting others before yourself and showed me a different way of thinking about professional success.
I also noticed differences in the way professionals interacted with the people around them. Throughout the program, many of the healthcare providers and guest speakers took time to build personal connections, answer questions, and make people feel comfortable. There seemed to be a greater focus on relationships and taking the time to understand someone’s situation rather than simply completing a task and moving on. In comparison, many interactions in the United States can feel more rushed because of busy schedules and the demands placed on professionals, leaving less time to build the same personal connections.
By the end of the program, I found myself thinking differently about what success means. I still have academic and professional goals that I want to achieve, but I now view success as more than personal accomplishments. Being able to efficiently and positively impact the lives of others is what I believe to be the true measure of success.
