Testimonials

Imagine yourself waking up at 5:30, doing yoga, going to a hospital, learning about the different branches of medicine, talking to doctors, playing with local school students, eating Indian food all-day-every-day, then passing out at night because the day was so exhausting. This was the general outline of what a day at Muni Seva Ashram would be like for us, campers. But what was not explained in the description above were all the friendships we made along the way, all the different people we got to interact with, all the hardships we saw, and all the little children's days we brightened. These past two weeks have not only been for medical exposure, but also for the opportunity to grow as a person.

I came to the ashram this summer hoping this camp would help me decide whether or not medicine was for me: to give me a definite answer. But it turns out I'm more confused than I was before. But I'm glad that I didn't find my yes or no answer. I'm glad this trip made me question my original mindset. I thought because I loved biology and chemistry, and was interested in human anatomy, being a doctor was good for me. The idea of becoming a doctor seemed so accomplishing, well respected, but the hidden, uncovered aspects of being a doctor was something I never thought about. There are many sacrifices that have to be made, which include many years of hard schooling, giving up family life, constantly on call, and much more. It's not about reaching your goal, it's about the journey getting there. If you don't love the process of becoming a doctor, you just want to be a doctor, doing this may not be for you. Talking to the doctors here really impacted my view of the profession. I've become more open minded to looking at what other occupations and jobs there are out there that are still science related but still want to try and pursue the medicine line.

Any camp has its pro's and con's, and Muni Seva Ashram is no different. All of us campers would dread eating the khichdi for dinner every night and walking outside midafternoon when it was steaming hot. When the second week of camp started, we all started to get homesick. We missed our daily routines and lifestyles and just thought camp was too long. The trips both days to the Baroda hospitals were not as eventful as expected and we started the second week off in disappointment. On the other hand, there was plenty I enjoyed about camp too! Getting to watch live surgery was one of the coolest experiences for me because it was my first. The thrill of standing in the operation theater was nothing like I ever imagined. Spending time with the local students at the high school and primary school was really touching. Talking to them made me realize how different their lives are from ours and how blessed we truly are. The little things that brighten their days are things we take for granted at home and I most certainly won't now. Taking night trips to the small store near the ashram to get Limca and Maaza and chocolate and a bunch of snacks, and bonding over taboo during our lunch breaks are only some of the memories that I'm going to remember. While spending time here, I got to see how the ashram is helping people and really commend those who devote their time to making this place what it is. I spent the last two weeks with some great people, and I learned a lot from this trip. The experience was unique for every person here, and we all took away something different from it. I got to see a completely different part of the world and a completely different way of life.