Submitted by Joanna B., 2019 TA.
During the second week of the global service learning program, the global health members of the cohort had the opportunity to visit multiple health care sites across Mysore, including a primary health center, a government Ayurveda hospital, the public hospital Krishna Rajendra Hospital, the private hospital Columbia Asia, and SVYM's palliative care center. The tours of the sites were made all the more insightful by the guidance of Dr. Sumanth, Dr. Yumna, Dr. Sibha, and others who accompanied the visits at their respective sites and patiently answered questions regarding the nuances of health care delivery at each of the facilities.
Students found these visits incredibly enriching to their classroom learning, bringing into stark reality topics previously flattened in words, statistics, lectures, and textbooks. Being able to visit the sites of delivery for the Indian health care system, juxtaposed over the course of a few days, provided valuable contrast and comparison. Students from the cohort specifically highlighted the value of being able to witness parallels between the US and Indian health systems in both gaps and strengths. "It showed us about health inequalities within the Indian system, but reflecting on our own system reminded us of the fact that we're not immune to the kinds of things we saw." The visits stimulated long discussions surrounding mental health care, stigma, health as a human right, and alterative therapy among others. While many found these visits to be the most challenging exposure to India, all agreed how worthwhile and impactful they were.
