Volunteer Programs in Dehradun, India

Overall, I had a good experience with CFHI in India. My goals for the trip were to get out of my comfort zone and immerse myself in a new culture, meet and interact with the community directly, directly observe healthcare and health practice in India, and to expand my cultural awareness and humility. I was able to accomplish all of these things. For four weeks we stayed with hosts families and we got to know them as well as the culture they belonged to. There were many opportunities to interact with the community whether it be visits to public health sites while in Delhi, visiting the various clinics, or day-to-day interactions we had as we navigated unfamiliar terrain. In the clinics, Hindi was spoken most of the time so we did not always know what was going on, which was a minor detriment. However, there were many moments where guidance and clarification was given by the preceptors, often times when we were confident enough to ask quickly between patients. Some preceptors were intentional about making sure we understood what was going on and answering questions before or after clinic or during planned pauses in the clinic. A few were too busy to do such things, which is understandable. The experience also allowed for enormous growth. There were many times that I had to question my assumptions, evaluate my own perceptions, and/or genuinely challenge my beliefs, which I think has resulted in me being much more open-minded than before. With the intricate belief systems in India and resulting integration in daily life, I was able to begin learning what it truly means to acknowledge that I am no expert in the culture of another, and should be curious and open to learning about it. This is something I think I will take with me as I continue in Global Health.

I came into my experience with Child Family Health International thinking that I would get some hands-on healthcare experience that would make me a better healthcare professional in the future. I came out of it with a new perspective on what health means and a trip that - although different than I was expecting and not "hands-on" - will truly make me a better, more culturally conscious and stronger global citizen and health advocate.  Through CFHI, I learned to question my perspective and learn from local experts. I learned that health is not only the classes I took, the biological processes I studied or the hospitals I was familiar with, it is social, it is personal and it looks different to each of us. Healthcare in India is something that I am by no means an expert in, which is why I was refreshed that CFHI fosters a learning environment where participants are learners and local experts are teachers, guiding students through the intricacies of global health and social determinants of healthcare in different environments.  Participating in the CFHI program in Delhi and Dehradun, India broadened my horizon and opened my mind to what it means to provide quality health care around the world, and I am forever grateful. Thank you CFHI!