My Love for India

By: Victoria Yedlin

Majoring in Public Health Science

Editor’s note: Victoria Yedlin is an undergraduate student majoring in Public Health Science at the School of Public Health (Shady Grove campus). She expects to graduate in December 2012. In July, she participated in the Global Health and Development summer study abroad program in Northern India, led by Dr. Elisabeth Maring, Director of Global Public Health Scholars and Family Life Specialist in the School of Public Health’s Department of Family Science and University of Maryland Extension. She shared this post about her experience. 

Traveling to India marked an important point in my life. As a public health student passionate about making a difference in the world, I was determined to fill the gap I felt from only having learned through in class experience. Moving out of my comfort zone and traveling half way around the world was a much needed stepping stone to reach my goals. The idea of traveling so far from home was something new for me and I had my apprehensions. However, keeping my purpose and goal of the trip in mind helped keep my feelings at ease.

While visiting an orphanage we got the chance to sing songs and interact
with the children. This was a very rewarding experience. This is a picture of
me with the young girls.

While in India, I was determined to focus my studies on maternal and child health. Throughout my studies as a public health student I have always been interested in women’s health, especially in a global context. As a woman who has always had access to health care, I feel confused and dismayed as to why this is not equal for everyone. I have repeatedly heard about the hard life and hardships many women face in underdeveloped countries. Making an effort to learn as much as I can about this issue would not only teach me something new but hopefully give me knowledge to make a difference in the future.

From the moment we reached our first destination, I began to observe why women face such hardships. Immediately I began to understand the complexities of the issues. Bad sanitation, gender inequality and little to no access to health care was quite easy to spot. Until I saw it with my own eyes, I didn’t understand why it can be so difficult to change. Although, after speaking with physicians and interacting with community members, the most eye opening experience did not come from hearing about the burdens women face, but in hearing about the progress that has been made to overcome the barriers. The fact that there even was a gynecologist to talk to at the hospital was an improvement.

This is a picture of me assisting a woman by cooking
dinner for the volunteers at the Health Mella. 

While abroad you can learn from everything you do and see. Attending a health fair (called a Health Mela) was a unique experience where some students stayed in a northern village for a few days. This was one of my most memorable times in India because I was able to cook with the women in the village, help at the health fair, and learn much more about the world then I ever expected. Cooking dahl in candlelight (because often the electricity went out) and learning to make chapatti helped to build a relationship with women without even knowing the same language. From this I learned about the unspoken language of cooking.    

This trip was an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful for everything I was able to do, and the people I was able to share it with. This trip has helped reinforce and strengthen my passion for global health. Studying abroad is an experience I believe everyone should have, no matter your interests, because the lessons learned are truly invaluable. This trip also opened my eyes to one of the most unique and amazing cultures in the world. This experience and India will always hold a place in my heart.

This is a picture of all of the students studying abroad.