Claire Zhang
CAS & SEAS ’26
Bioengineering & Biology
CASI India Summer Internship
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My experience in Tamil Nadu, India was simultaneously the most challenging and rewarding time of my life. As my first time traveling abroad alone, I navigated adapting to a different cultural landscape, and working within a healthcare system fundamentally different from the U.S. The most immediate challenge was the language barrier; although doctors completed their medical training in English, communication among nurses, staff, and patients was solely in Tamil. This barrier required me to develop patience, creativity, and resourcefulness to bridge gaps in understanding.
Beyond language, I quickly learned to embrace the vibrant energy of life in India. Both within the hospital and on bustling city streets, the pace of daily life rarely slowed. This atmosphere taught me to adapt quickly, and to embrace the organized chaos of every day life.
My immersion in India was deeply rewarding culturally. Growing up in New Jersey, my previous understanding of Indian culture was superficial. In Tamil Nadu, I embraced every opportunity to visit local temples, learn about religious ceremonies, and observe cultural practices. These experiences enriched my global perspective, highlighting the immense diversity of religions, languages, and social traditions across India. Ultimately, I’ve had an invaluable growth experience by stepping beyond my comfort zone this summer.
My Experience Abroad
My experience at Aravind Eye Hospital directly reinforced my academic pursuits and professional aspirations. As a pre-med student majoring in Bioengineering at Penn, much of my coursework focuses on technical and scientific rigor. However, my time at Aravind reminded me of the human side of medicine–the passion, dedication, and purpose behind each clinical decision. Witnessing doctors tirelessly serve their community every day, motivated purely by the mission to prevent blindness and provide accessible healthcare, has been extremely inspiring. I am more motivated than ever to pursue a career as a physician, because I know that every day I will be helping the community around me.
This real-world exposure has reshaped my professional goals, emphasizing the importance of healthcare equity. Aravind’s model of delivering high-quality care at low or no cost to underserved populations demonstrated practical solutions to global health disparities. It deepened my commitment to integrating public health strategies and biomedical innovations to expand healthcare accessibility worldwide. This experience has clarified my academic pathway. My time conducting research on healthcare sustainability and patient care efficiency at Aravind highlighted intersections between engineering, medicine, and public health. These areas once seemed distinct, but I am now eager to combine them in research at Penn. Academically, I’m motivated to pursue studies in global health systems and sustainable healthcare innovations, aiming to apply the principles I’ve learned in India to address health inequities.
Ultimately, this experience reaffirmed my passion for becoming not only a physician but also a public health researcher. My summer at Aravind illustrated how my coursework and professional aspirations can unite to drive tangible, impactful change.
Other Highlights
The first highlight was forming meaningful bonds with the nurses at Aravind Eye Hospital. Despite being my age, they work tirelessly to manage hospital operations with remarkable coordination and professionalism. Without the nurses, Aravind’s model would not exist. Communicating with them was challenging, given their limited English and my initially nonexistent Tamil. However, we overcame language barriers through broken conversations, and soon we were teaching each other our languages, sharing stories about our families, and laughing over our commonalities.
A second highlight was discovering India’s religious and cultural diversity firsthand. Far more vibrant than I’d imagined, temples, churches, and mosques coexist seamlessly, reflecting India’s profound respect for spiritual pluralism. Visiting beautifully crafted temples that have endured centuries taught me how deeply religion, artistry, and history intertwine here, significantly expanding my understanding of India’s rich heritage.
Lastly, the hospitality and warmth of the people has stood out vividly. From the moment I arrived, everyone at the hospital welcomed me with genuine care and kindness. Mentors and managers consistently checked on my well-being, always asking, “Have you eaten?” or “Do you miss home?” These small yet heartfelt gestures made me feel deeply supported, easing the transition of living abroad. This warmth transformed what could have been an isolating experience into one where I genuinely felt part of a larger family, shaping my emotional connection to India.
