Melanie Byler

International Experience Country:
India
Cohort Year:
2016
Home Institution:

Waynesburg University

Heinz Programming Area:
Children, Youth, and Families
International Experience Summary:

Melanie Byler had the incredible opportunity to participate in a healthcare exposure program centered on India's healthcare system. Four weeks were spent in the rural town of Malavli where the rural healthcare setting was observed. After that, Melanie transitioned to living in the urban city of Mumbai and observing the healthcare system there for four weeks as well. Throughout the program, Melanie got to observe various types of surgery including brain surgeries and orthopedic surgeries. She also got to observe various out-patient department settings. In these settings, Melanie studied the doctor-patient relationships and how they differed from setting to setting and from country to country. Melanie also observed the differences between rural and urban healthcare and between western and eastern medicine. A highlight of the program was spending a week on a mobile health van. The van traveled to more than 14 different rural villages. Melanie had the opportunity to assist with the patient care while on the van and was invited to have chai with various local villagers. Another highlight of the program was a week spent with a pediatric occupational therapist during which, Melanie observed the therapist work with cerebral palsy patients and children with autism. Traveling was always an adventure for Melanie. When she was in Malavli she rode the train each day to the hospital and while in Mumbai, she hauled a rickshaw each day. Along with over 180 hours of observation, Melanie also enjoyed sight-seeing and immersing herself into the Indian culture. She visited various historical monuments including the Taj Mahal.

Community Engagement Experience Summary:

CEE Title: Hard Conversations: Addressing the ‘ism’

Melanie Byler had the incredible opportunity to participate in a healthcare exposure program centered on India's healthcare system. Four weeks were spent in the rural town of Malavli where the rural healthcare setting was observed. After that, Melanie transitioned to living in the urban city of Mumbai and observing the healthcare system there for four weeks as well. Throughout the program, Melanie got to observe various types of surgery including brain surgeries and orthopedic surgeries. She also got to observe various out-patient department settings. In these settings, Melanie studied the doctor-patient relationships and how they differed from setting to setting and from country to country. Melanie also observed the differences between rural and urban healthcare and between western and eastern medicine. A highlight of the program was spending a week on a mobile health van. The van traveled to more than 14 different rural villages. Melanie had the opportunity to assist with the patient care while on the van and was invited to have chai with various local villagers. Another highlight of the program was a week spent with a pediatric occupational therapist during which, Melanie observed the therapist work with cerebral palsy patients and children with autism. Traveling was always an adventure for Melanie. When she was in Malavli she rode the train each day to the hospital and while in Mumbai, she hauled a rickshaw each day. Along with over 180 hours of observation, Melanie also enjoyed sight-seeing and immersing herself into the Indian culture. She visited various historical monuments including the Taj Mahal.