The Peaceful People: Nepal’s Healthcare, Rich Culture, and Way of Life

In the shadows of the Himalayas lies Nepal, a nation known by its beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique philosophies on life. During my time in Nepal, I did a medical internship at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital (CMC), one of the largest private medical centers in the region. Despite CMC being one of the largest medical centers in the region, the peoples’ lack of access to appropriate medical resources was made apparent during my time as an intern. Moreover, while three weeks may not have been enough time for me to become fluent in Nepali, I was able to significantly improve my Hindi and communicated to many locals this way. Through speaking Hindi, I was able to engage with local Nepalis of all ages and occupations, sharing our different perspectives of life, different cultures, and even future aspirations. Before I did my medical internship in Nepal, I expected to learn a lot, however, I did not expect to be able to witness the most beautiful, one’s birth, and the most tragic, one’s death, moments of life within a day while fully immersed in Nepalese culture from the food I ate to the community I lived in. Before beginning my medical internship in Nepal, I anticipated learning a lot, but I had no idea that I would be able to experience the most beautiful–a person’s birth–and the most tragic –a person’s death-moments of life within a day while being completely immersed in Nepalese culture.