Medicine Volunteer Stories, India

Medicine in India - Michael Rowe In March 2007 I embarked upon what I considered to be a momentous and frightening journey. I had decided to go to India for three months with Projects Abroad to have a go at the medical project they offered there. I had always wanted to do medicine, but after failing to get into any school first time around I decided to get pro-active and get myself some work experience. India seemed as good an option as any!

Medicine in India - Claire Bailey In my third year at medical school I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to arrange a placement myself. After months of doing placements in Sheffield and the surrounding area, not surprisingly another stint in a South Yorkshire hospital in the winter months didn't fill me with excitement. I therefore decided to arrange a placement abroad. Projects Abroad seemed like a great idea as I already heard excellent stories from a friend who had arranged her Gap Year with them.

Medicine in India - Jenna Pyper Throughout my entire University career, I have worked towards getting into medical school. I took my Medical School entrance exams, took more organic chemistry than I care to say, and narrowed down my university choices. However, it wasn't until my third year that I realised I didn't even know if I LIKED medicine. So I decided to get some clinical experience and as I was already going on an exchange to Australia, I decided to do this overseas.

Medicine in India - Reesa Simmonds People in my town are very hospitable, and we're treated like the town celebrities. The doctors that run the hospital are three brothers. They are really great in terms of answering any type of related question and letting us watch in on any procedure. Any surgery we want to observe, any kind of work around the hospital, from accompanying on rounds (happens twice a day) to just general patient care with the nurses. We can be there as much or as little as we want. It constantly occurs to me just how much some of my pre-med friends at home would love to see even an hour of what I witness all day long.

Medicine in India - Lianna Hulbert One of the nicest aspects of living with a family was that I was invited along with them to all manner of celebrations. Clad in my red and gold sari (that takes ten minutes for me to tie but is well worth the effort!), I attended more weddings in those three months than I had in my whole life previously! There was also the visit of the Maharajah of Travancore whom I got to sprinkle with petals; giving out prizes at a school annual day; giving several talks to students at local colleges and many more events. It sometimes felt almost like being a celebrity.

Medicine in India - Karen Slevin and Michelle Terheege The Twins: This was my first night in Puliangudi and my first trip to clinic. The other volunteer (Michelle Terheege) wanted to see the twins born, even if it meant staying late - we didn't leave until about 3 am but they were worth it! I'll never forget my first day there, despite jet-lag and lack of sleep!

Medicine in India - Claudia Raperport Here's an e-mail we (and many of her friends) received from one of our Medicine volunteers in India, Claudia. The most exciting thing just happened, about fifteen minutes ago I delivered a baby!!! I actually got to do the whole thing myself, pull it out, cut the cord, deliver the placenta, wash the baby etc. It was the most amazing thing I have ever done in my whole life, such an incredible experience! It was a boy, weighing 3.25 kilos! Not that you guys care about the details!

Medicine in India - Laura Nicell I've never really thought of myself as the gap year type;So I was a bit anxious, to say the least, when I decided to take the plunge and sign up for four months in South India - three months medical placement and one month travelling. My host parents were welcoming, friendly and helpful and there were up to eight volunteers living in the house at a time, so there were always a few other Westerners around which I think helped eased me into Indian life. I had a fantastic time travelling on my own, I felt safe and independent and can't wait to both revisit the south and to discover the rest of this amazing country.

Medicine in India - Esther Davidoff My overall experience was amazing. It was such an amazing cultural experience that even if I travel back to India I don't thing I'll ever be able to do again.

Medicine in India - James Bashford I really enjoyed myself in India, being able to experience such a diverse culture and way of life while witnessing Eastern medicine, something I'd been shielded from in the West.