Vietnam: Finding Connections in Unexpected Places

When I first arrived in Hanoi, I was struck by how familiar it felt. The bustling streets, endless stream of motorbikes, sidewalk cafes, and organized chaos reminded me so much of my hometown of Kathmandu. What I did not realize then was that the similarities extended far beyond the city itself. Throughout my month in … Continue reading Vietnam: Finding Connections in Unexpected Places

Discovering Quito: The Difference Between Visiting a Place and Living There

It is a distinct experience to feel that you are living in a place as opposed to visiting. This is one of the strengths of the global health academic concentration at UCSD. I have felt integrated into the cities and healthcare systems that I have worked in. As an MS1, this was Maputo, Mozambique and … Continue reading Discovering Quito: The Difference Between Visiting a Place and Living There

A Foodie’s Guide to Maputo: Local and Fusion

I'm spending the summer in Maputo, Mozambique doing research on peripheral neuropathy in patients with HIV at Maputo Central Hospital. Although much of my time is spent doing research in the Internal Medicine Wards at Maputo Central Hospital, I have had a lot of free time to explore Maputo and engage with locals in their … Continue reading A Foodie’s Guide to Maputo: Local and Fusion

Inside Ecuador’s Healthcare System: My Time at a Centro de Salud- Quito, Ecuador

On my first morning in Quito, I stepped onto the third-story balcony of my host family’s home and was met with a quiet, beautiful surprise—a bright rainbow stretching across the misty sky. I had arrived the day before on a red-eye flight and, still adjusting to the altitude, had gone straight to bed. Waking up … Continue reading Inside Ecuador’s Healthcare System: My Time at a Centro de Salud- Quito, Ecuador

Experiencing Brazil’s Public Healthcare in Salvador, Bahia

Bahiana Escola De MedicinaIt was an honor to spend my final clinical rotation of medical school in Salvador, the vibrant coastal capital of Bahia, Brazil. Throughout the month, I worked in outpatient clinics affiliated with the Bahia Escola de Medicina, rotating through cardiology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology. Each day, I joined final-year medical students for patient … Continue reading Experiencing Brazil’s Public Healthcare in Salvador, Bahia

Clinical Rotations and Community Health in Peru

Hola from Huanchaco! The infamous Huanchaco red bus that runs between Trujillo (the neighboring city) and Huanchaco. I am writing from Huanchaco, Peru, a small beach town in the northern part of the country, where a fellow medical student and I are participating in a clinical rotation as part of the GHAC curriculum. Our rotation … Continue reading Clinical Rotations and Community Health in Peru

Lessons Learned from my Research Journey in Chiang Mai, Thailand

I write to you from Phuket: my last weekend in Thailand, spent in the bluest waters I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. Imagine my gratitude when I saw my first coral reef, a 30-minute snorkeling session I lazily floated through while mulling over the state of the world. Would these reefs be here … Continue reading Lessons Learned from my Research Journey in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Reflecting on My Time in Gaborone: A Journey of Growth and Discovery

Hello, everyone! As I prepare to head back to the United States later this week, I find myself reflecting on my time here in Gaborone with a mix of gratitude, accomplishment, and a hint of longing for home. These past six weeks have been a whirlwind of research, cultural immersion, and exploration, pushing me outside … Continue reading Reflecting on My Time in Gaborone: A Journey of Growth and Discovery

Mapping maputo

When I joined the GHAC program, I knew that I wanted to travel to Sub-Saharan Africa. I was eager to understand more about the region, and to have an opportunity to learn from physicians, fellow students, and patients there. Fortunately, I found a project working with American physicians Dr. Sierra Washington and Christy Zachek, and … Continue reading Mapping maputo

learning & Surveying compassion in Jordan

In Amman the buildings are dense, piled on top of each other, no spaces in between - evidence of a city that grew out of necessity. During the day the sight can be overwhelming, but at sunset the repetitive architecture reflects back a pink light that captures the city and you can feel a collective … Continue reading learning & Surveying compassion in Jordan