Two weeks into settling back into life at home and university, my experience in India feels like a complete fever dream. The days of catching a rickshaw through Govandi, walking the streets full of animals, and hearing taxis beeping their horns every two seconds already feel so distant, almost as if they were part of a different life. The only tangible things I have left are the photos I took, the people I met who I still keep in touch with, and the memories I created — moments that feel like they are slipping further away with each passing day.
I truly loved Mumbai, and I can wholeheartedly say it was starting to feel like home. What once felt like the most chaotic and overwhelming place became familiar and comforting. The noise, the constant motion and the vibrant energy all became a rhythm I learned to move with. Coming back to New Zealand brought an unexpected sense of reverse culture shock. I never thought I would miss the sound of honking horns or the smell of street food lingering in the air, but I do.
Reflecting on my internship experience, I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of something so eye-opening. Every day presented something entirely new: moments that challenged me, broke my heart, and filled me with admiration all at once. One of the most confronting experiences was witnessing an unwell man collapse and die right in front of us. It was a stark reminder of how fragile life is and how limited access to healthcare can have devastating consequences. We visited homes where entire families of five to eight people lived in spaces the size of my bedroom back home, yet the hospitality and warmth we were shown in these areas and homes was humbling beyond words.
We attended vaccination clinics, visited dumping grounds, were shown where sanitation programmes were being implemented, and sat in on tuberculosis (TB) clinics where patients lined up for hours to receive care. One of the most surreal moments was touring the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Medical Research Institute — a world-class facility that felt more like a luxury hotel than a hospital. The stark contrast between the two worlds existing side by side was difficult to comprehend. From witnessing post-mortems alongside criminal law students to sharing countless glasses of masala chai during cultural exchanges at local schools, every experience added another layer to the tapestry of this journey. We even managed to sneak in a half marathon while away, to raise funds for our organisation as a small effort to give back to the community that had given and offered us so much.
Words will never fully capture what this internship meant to me. It is truly one of those experiences you have to live to understand. I am endlessly grateful to Naveen from Global Careers Centre and everyone who made this opportunity possible, as well as to my supervisors Javeria, Dr Azmera, and the entire Doctors For You team. Thank you for welcoming Dylan and I so warmly into your centre. Your kindness and passion for your work inspired me every single day. I miss it already and hope to return one day.
This internship was genuinely an experience of a lifetime. It has not only shaped me as a person but will undoubtedly shape the kind of doctor I become. Working in one of the most impoverished areas of Mumbai opened my eyes to the harsh realities of healthcare inequity. In New Zealand, we are fortunate to be able to treat patients holistically, but in Govandi and Mankhurd, the sheer volume of patients meant that doctors had to prioritise the most urgent needs. I learned that while you can’t meet every need for one patient, you can make a meaningful difference by helping as many people as possible — especially in population-dense areas where healthcare resources are stretched thin. This lesson will stay with me as I navigate my future clinical practice.
Experiencing this internship has completely shifted my perspective on life. I have returned to New Zealand with a renewed sense of gratitude, for the roof over my head, the food on my plate, and the opportunities I have. My outlook on life is more positive, and I find myself noticing and appreciating the small things I once took for granted. As cliché as it may sound, this experience has genuinely been life-changing.
To anyone considering an internship like this: you must do it!! There is no better way to learn about community medicine, public health, people and yourself than by stepping outside your comfort zone and immersing yourself in a different world. Thank you, India! You have given me memories and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.