Learning Across Borders: A Student’s Perspective on Clinical Care in India

Alicia Wells, one of seven UC Irvine medical students to spend two weeks visiting multiple hospitals in Gujarat, India, offers a first-person account of what she learned.

In late December, seven UC Irvine medical students participated in a medical exchange program, coordinated by Rimal Bera, MD, a professor of psychiatry. Bera and the students traveled to Gujarat, India, to visit multiple hospitals and collaborate with the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Medical College. The clinical trip, now in its third year, is made possible through the generosity of the Bera family. This year’s group included Alicia Wells, a fourth-year medical student applying for residency in child neurology. Here, she shares her perspective on the visit and healthcare in India.

Learning Across Borders

When I first left for India, I anticipated encountering differences in clinical practice. However, I was genuinely astounded by the efficiency and effectiveness of the physicians, residents and interns I worked alongside, particularly given the significant resource limitations they navigated daily.

One of my most memorable clinical experiences occurred during our OB/GYN rotation at Zanana Hospital. We learned that the hospital manages approximately 10,000 births annually, 300 outpatient visits per day, and nearly 30 deliveries daily. Even more striking was their ability to perform tubal ligations in just five to 10 minutes per patient, completing 35 to 40 procedures each day. In contrast, a typical tubal ligation in the United States, including turnover time, can take close to three hours.

Despite caring for an overwhelming patient volume, the team demonstrated remarkable efficiency and precision, underscoring how systems can adapt to meet immense demand.

Pediatric Care & Family Support

As someone pursuing pediatric neurology with interests in critical care, visiting the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was a highlight of the trip. The PICU housed pathologies I had previously encountered only in textbooks, including an infant with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) presenting with a classic blueberry muffin rash, a child recovering from a cobra bite, and a teenager intubated due to Guillain Barre syndrome.

What struck me most was not just the acuity and diversity of these cases, but the role families played in patient care. Family members frequently provided bedside care typically performed by nursing staff in the U.S. This theme followed us across various hospital wards, from internal medicine to plastic surgery, highlighting how families functioned as integral members of the care team, united in support of their loved ones.

Community Engagement

One of my most meaningful nonclinical experiences was visiting Gondal High School, where we were welcomed by hundreds of enthusiastic students. Almost immediately, we were surrounded by hugs, excited introductions and eager requests to show us around.

Dressed in traditional attire, the students patiently taught us Garba, and we danced together for what felt like hours. Some of us played games on the floor, while others were escorted upstairs to see classrooms filled with books, snacks and colorful drawings.

At the end of our visit, I vividly remember hugging a group of nearly 20 girls one by one, holding back tears. Their generosity, curiosity and joy reinforced how deeply privileged I am to pursue a career dedicated to improving children’s lives.

Friendship & Kindness

Beyond the clinical and cultural exposure, what made this rotation truly unforgettable were the medical interns at PDU Medical College, who welcomed us with extraordinary warmth and generosity. Each afternoon, after finishing their own demanding rotations, they picked us up on mopeds and navigated Gujarat’s bustling streets. Despite managing heavy patient loads, they showed us around Rajkot, took us to local restaurants, played cricket and pickleball with us, and guided us through local markets to shop for traditional clothing. What began as professional hospitality, quickly grew into genuine friendship.

One memory stands out vividly. While in Rajkot, I needed to receive my yellow fever vaccine, and as the administration office was closing, I realized I might not arrive in time. One of the interns immediately dropped everything, rushed to pick me up, and skillfully navigated traffic with unwavering focus. We arrived with just five minutes to spare. I received my vaccine, and he brought me straight back to the hospital so I could continue my rotation without missing anything. It was a small gesture that spoke volumes about their kindness and commitment.

Their hospitality extended beyond Rajkot. When our group traveled to Ahmedabad, we reunited with one of our friends there, and later, seeing another intern in New Delhi brought an unexpected sense of comfort in an unfamiliar city. By the end of two weeks, they were no longer just colleagues. They felt like family.

Overall, my two weeks in Rajkot, India provided not only exceptional clinical learning, but also friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. As I return to my medical training and prepare for residency in child neurology, I will carry these experiences close to my heart, remembering the attendings, residents, and interns who took time from their demanding schedules to share their culture, knowledge and humanity with us.

As I move forward in my career, my time in India will remain a defining influence, shaping how I care for patients, collaborate with families and practice medicine across diverse settings. I am grateful for the privilege of having been welcomed into this healthcare system and community, an experience that will remain with me throughout my training.

— Alicia Wells