Over the summer, I had the opportunity to be an intern at the Damien Foundation Indian Trust (DFIT), Bihar. Through DFIT, I had a chance to have a hands-on experience in the field of Leprosy; which provided a holistic approach and provided a broader perspective into the field realities. During my one-month long internship, I had an opportunity to observe and participate in the work culture of the urban as well the rural sector. I accompanied the team on various field visits, which was a unique experience as it allowed me to synthesize the abundance of information I received in the classroom and was equipped to apply them in the real-world healthcare. Previously being a science major and having experienced long hours in the laboratories; my field view towards handling patient samples, drastically changed from dealing with bar codes on samples to being actively involved in patient care.
I was drawn towards the field of public health because it serves a purpose to help uplift the community and safe keeping of equitable health resources for all. Through the members at the Damien Foundation, I found myself surrounded with dedicated people who strive to serve this purpose and provide quality care. I would like to extend my heartful gratitude to the foundation for helping me develop more personal and professional confidence, and providing me the knowledge which would help me navigate through my future public health endeavours.
– Shradha K. Sikaria
