I worked in 4 different countries during med school. It changed my perspective on medical systems and patient interactions.

Vikram Madireddy, a medical student, reflects on how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced his education and perceptions of healthcare worldwide. Initially confined to the US system, he sought global insights by connecting with fellow students through Reddit. This led him to explore various healthcare systems, resulting in a desire to study abroad. His experiences in countries like Japan enriched his understanding of medicine, allowing him to appreciate different approaches to patient care. Madireddy's quest for knowledge culminated in robust learnings that transcended traditional education.

Patients treated me differently in each country, which made me appreciate the diverse ways healthcare is provided across the globe.

The pandemic made me wonder how medical systems around the world were coping, leading me to seek perspectives from medical students globally.

My curiosity about foreign medical systems transformed my understanding of medicine and led me to explore elective courses in different countries.

I saved for two years to fund my travels, aiming to gain international medical experience and broaden my perspective on healthcare.

Read at Business Insider