Gayathri Menon, Grade 11
UWC Mahindra
Growing up, I had always wanted to be a medical professional. The attention to detail, the adrenaline rush to save a life, the devotion to the craft that surgery proved itself to be — it always fascinated me. Though I parted ways with that dream as I submerged myself into the rocky waters of humanities, my love for medicine never really left my body. Amongst the many Trivenis (our term for CAS clubs) stood MedSoc, a Triveni committed to health and well-being. Despite not joining it in the first term of our school year, I signed up for it in the second. The long-overdue decision turned out to be one of the best ones I had ever made, as MedSoc not only looked at health issues pertaining to physical health but also paid equal attention to mental and emotional well-being.
As for our duties, MedSoc gave me an opportunity to combine my subdued passion for medicine with my interest in advocacy. Being able to voice the concerns of those on and off-campus, MedSoc proved to be a Triveni that held a promising future. For our off-campus commitments, we visited schools in the nearby villages and held presentations and activities to raise awareness for dental health, as well as conducted surveys to examine whether schools were equipped to deal with emergency first-aid issues. On campus, we held surveys to collect data about the various apprehensions and issues that the students faced and compiled the information to create tool-kits that would enable both our on-campus and incoming students to deal with issues unique to MUWCI in unique ways. We worked with the on-campus doctor, as well as the well-being counsellor, on these issues.
MedSoc is a Triveni that opened my eyes to how broad the applications and implications of healthcare are. Taking up the humanities did not mean that I had to forsake my love for medicine. Advocacy, awareness campaigns, data analysis, the study of physiology, ethical awareness, and administration are all gears that turn the wheels of our healthcare system.
The reason MedSoc holds a special place in my heart is not restricted to my previous interest in medicine, but it is also because it gave me an opportunity to use my own experiences with poor health to better the lives of others. Having had a notorious track record for medical issues, I was given a platform to offer counsel and input that only a person who dealt with such health issues could. For the first time, I was able to use my bitter experiences as a tool for good and not as a shroud to hide behind.
I guess you could say that MedSoc taught me that even without a scalpel in my hand, I could save or, at the very least, work for the sake of others. The lessons I learnt from MedSoc are not just limited to practical skills, but it also forced me to think outside my own little bubble. Healthcare is more than just saving lives and fine-tuning surgical skills; it has become more about the people: their stories and their concerns. This Triveni has proved to be one of the most professional settings that I have ever encountered, and my teammates graciously imparted their stories, knowledge, and passions with me.
You will often hear the words - “make a positive impact” in MUWCI, so much so that we hear it more than the UWC mission statement. It used to feel superficial to my ears, as deep down, I felt like I had never really made an impact. Those doubts were put to rest as I continued to work in MedSoc and helped address burning issues regarding medical malpractice, mental health, and stimulate conversation about what makes us human.
As for our duties, MedSoc gave me an opportunity to combine my subdued passion for medicine with my interest in advocacy. Being able to voice the concerns of those on and off-campus, MedSoc proved to be a Triveni that held a promising future. For our off-campus commitments, we visited schools in the nearby villages and held presentations and activities to raise awareness for dental health, as well as conducted surveys to examine whether schools were equipped to deal with emergency first-aid issues. On campus, we held surveys to collect data about the various apprehensions and issues that the students faced and compiled the information to create tool-kits that would enable both our on-campus and incoming students to deal with issues unique to MUWCI in unique ways. We worked with the on-campus doctor, as well as the well-being counsellor, on these issues.
MedSoc is a Triveni that opened my eyes to how broad the applications and implications of healthcare are. Taking up the humanities did not mean that I had to forsake my love for medicine. Advocacy, awareness campaigns, data analysis, the study of physiology, ethical awareness, and administration are all gears that turn the wheels of our healthcare system.
The reason MedSoc holds a special place in my heart is not restricted to my previous interest in medicine, but it is also because it gave me an opportunity to use my own experiences with poor health to better the lives of others. Having had a notorious track record for medical issues, I was given a platform to offer counsel and input that only a person who dealt with such health issues could. For the first time, I was able to use my bitter experiences as a tool for good and not as a shroud to hide behind.
I guess you could say that MedSoc taught me that even without a scalpel in my hand, I could save or, at the very least, work for the sake of others. The lessons I learnt from MedSoc are not just limited to practical skills, but it also forced me to think outside my own little bubble. Healthcare is more than just saving lives and fine-tuning surgical skills; it has become more about the people: their stories and their concerns. This Triveni has proved to be one of the most professional settings that I have ever encountered, and my teammates graciously imparted their stories, knowledge, and passions with me.
You will often hear the words - “make a positive impact” in MUWCI, so much so that we hear it more than the UWC mission statement. It used to feel superficial to my ears, as deep down, I felt like I had never really made an impact. Those doubts were put to rest as I continued to work in MedSoc and helped address burning issues regarding medical malpractice, mental health, and stimulate conversation about what makes us human.
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