I will always remember November 2017 as one of the best months of my life. The 4 week rotation opportunity I got to be a part of at NYP Cornell was such an insightful experience for me- clinically and academically. From Oct 23, 2017- November 17, 2017, I was rotating with the pediatric nephrology team – rounding in patient and attending clinics. It gave me a glimpse of American health care system and how differently things were approached here.

I was rotating with attendings who were very helpful and made me feel like a part of their team. A benefit of opting for a sub-specialty is that while round meetings you not only get to learn about kidney disease but additional pathologies the patient had and how other department work together to give a systemic approach to it. Also after in-patient rounds, I got opportunity to observe consult clinics with attendings, which not only exposed me to a wide range of disease but also gave me a clinical experience on how to take history and examine the patients. I also rotated in renal clinics where in I was given a firsthand experience by residents to consult patients.

My attendings were very inclined academically and gave me great articles regarding the diseases we came across. Also they made sure all my doubts and questions were cleared and I had better clear knowledge of the subject. Morning conferences and departmental meetings gave us an opportunity to discuss cases in depth and new research work and finding regarding them. All of our attendings, the chief, rotating residents, nurse and social worker would be present to discuss each admitted inpatient cases- starting from history, the investigations, differential diagnoses and follow up plan. Once accustomed with the system, it was exciting to brief the attending about the investigations and results and discuss treatment plan before the consult and was as good as a Sub-internship.

Also during my rotation, I got to learn about the social and psychological aspect of health care through a social worker helping us with post renal transplant and haemodialysis patients. I always believe, health is not just to be free of disease but also to have mental and social well being.

Apart from that, it was the first time I was living independently anywhere, and what better place I could have asked for. New York City is totally the city of dreams and light as they say. I had the best time exploring the city, the famous landmarks that I read and saw in movies growing up. I also got to meet medical students from Hungary, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and Spain.

I would like to express my gratitude to the staff of Office of Global Health – Dr. Finkel and Ms. Young for giving me this opportunity. It was a great learning experience which I would recommend to all aspiring students. Ms. Young was also supportive and there to answer any of my emails and calls regarding the process and very accommodating with the paperwork as well. Dr. Perelstein, Dr. Kumar and Dr. Gajjar were very welcoming and extremely kind and helpful with all aspects of my elective. It was such an incredible and memorable experience.