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Posted on August 21, 2024 by CAHP

CAHP

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In June, Lenell Anderson and Maura Hawkins traveled to the Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu State in India with a group of USA students and faculty through a new study abroad program, Healthcare in Rural South India.

This program is designed to provide pre-health professional students with the opportunity to engage in clinical training and diagnosis of diseases in rural communities in India. It is led by Dr. Nancy Rice, chair and professor of biomedical sciences, and Dr. Padma Thulasiraman, associate professor of biomedical sciences.

 Anderson is majoring in biomedical sciences but has not yet decided if she wants to pursue pharmacy or medical school after completing her bachelor’s degree. The study abroad trip was a helpful reminder of why she wants to work in healthcare. 

“Participating in something like the study abroad for healthcare in rural South India brought back into focus and enhanced my passion for helping people and taught me that I want to continue helping people around the world,” Anderson said. 

Hawkins is pursuing a minor in biomedical sciences and entered the study abroad program knowing that she wants to become a rural family physician. Her up-close view of how medical care is vital for rural communities gave her even more confidence about her chosen career path. Her favorite part of the trip was organizing a medical camp in a rural area that is primarily inhabited by women and is adjacent to a small school. 

“The area provided a setting for my participation in medical screenings, offering firsthand insight into the necessity of accessible medical care within the community,” Hawkins said. 

The students also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture, trying a variety of South Indian cuisine, visiting religious spaces and testing their bargaining skills at community markets.

“Even though a lot of people did not speak English and tried to get me with the tourist prices, Shubha and I were able to do some impressive negotiating,” Anderson said.

 “It felt great to experience cuisine on the other side of the world,” Hawkins said. “In fact, I found that I liked most of the dishes even more than some typical American food!”  

Throughout the trip, the students developed new skills beneficial to their futures as healthcare professionals. They learned how to take patients’ vital signs, test blood types, complete vision tests and run electrocardiograms.  They felt fully prepared thanks to the leadership of Rice and Thulasiraman and everything they have learned during their time in the biomedical sciences program.

 “These two women are my new role models for the way they see life and share knowledge with others which was a blessing to experience,” Anderson shared. “If it wasn’t for them, this experience would not have been possible.”

 “My experience as a biomedical sciences minor has helped me by preparing me academically with the medical knowledge I needed to understand during medical screenings in India,” Hawkins said. “The University of South Alabama’s comprehensive preparation has seamlessly translated into practical applications throughout rural India.” 

Students can learn more about degree-specific study abroad opportunities by talking to their academic advisors and visiting the Study Abroad website.

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