For Samiksha Prasanna, a fourth-year public health major, studying abroad in India with the Child Family Health International program was a defining experience. She wanted to see firsthand how cultural and social factors shape healthcare systems—and quickly discovered that the lessons went far beyond the classroom.
“Being on the ground allowed me to appreciate the healthcare system without judgment or a savior complex,” Prasanna said. Observing India’s integration of traditional medicine, physician–patient relationships, funding models and community-driven care brought her coursework to life.
The CFHI program gives students the opportunity to explore the challenges of providing medical care to low-income populations in both rural and urban areas. With a focus on primary care and public health, students rotate through three locations: two weeks in Dehradun, a week in Mussoorie and a final week in the rural village of Patti.
Along the way, Prasanna said she also learned a great deal about herself. Navigating airports, public transportation and even monsoon-flooded streets in Delhi tested her adaptability.
The biggest challenge, she admitted, was finding the confidence to take up space in professional health settings. By pushing past that hesitation, she gained insights from experts in fields ranging from cardiology to Ayurveda.
“I feel more confident entering the next stage of my academic journey, especially as I prepare for graduate school. It planted a seed of hope that I might one day work in global health through research, policy or with organizations like CFHI,” she said.
What stood out most, however, were the connections she formed—with fellow students, local coordinators and their families. “Their warmth and hospitality made me feel safe, cared for and at home,” she said. “Those moments of connection gave meaning to everything else we were learning.”