Fulbright Blog Post: From Soccer to Startups: My Fulbright Journey in India

By Aditya Santoki

The anticipation was intense. The air was thick with tension as we all held our breath, waiting to see if Gonzalo Montiel of Argentina would make the final penalty kick in the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. And then, in one heart-stopping moment, the crowd erupted into cheers, laughter, and excitement. "GOAL!!!" The best part? I wasn't in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was in Kochi, Kerala, on the other side of the planet, living out my dream as a Fulbright scholar.

Enjoying the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup with friends!

From the thrill of the World Cup to the hard work of my Fulbright project, my time in India has been full of surprises and adventures. Over the past eight months, I have been working with a medical startup team in India, focused on creating a game-changing app that could transform the way cancer patients receive care in the country. Our project aims to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that will enable cancer patients to remotely report their symptoms to their healthcare team. The app's primary goal is to bridge the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers, allowing patients to communicate effectively with their physicians about their treatment and receive prompt and efficient care.

Fun day with friends and family from Ernakulam Medical Center!

One of the most rewarding aspects of working on this project has been discovering how eager Indians are to improve the state of their country through innovation. As I was talking to some of the younger Keralites on the software development team, they talked about how despite the many challenges in their path, they wanted to improve their country. They didn't think of themselves as any less and did not consider India as developing economy. They were ambitious and ready to build the country they were proud of through their startup. This attitude was incredibly inspiring and motivated me to bring the same attitude back to the United States.

Even busy startups have time for fun!

Another valuable experience has been realizing how important social connections are in supporting each other in difficult times. As we developed the app, it felt as though everyone was on the same page. Patients were supportive of the app, as they felt they could better communicate with their physicians. Given its ease of use, physicians also knew they could improve care with this app. Everyone was united by the common goal of improving care. This is an attitude that I believe is critical for making change in society. It also fostered trust between all parties. I was touched by how people from different backgrounds were able to come together and work towards a common goal. This experience taught me the value of teamwork, and the importance of being supportive of one another, especially during challenging times.

Getting ready with friends for the Easter Unarv Concert!

Unarv Easter performance with Dr. Mathew’s church group

In addition, I realized the value of a mentor through working with Dr. Mathew, one of the best doctors I have ever met. His commitment to his patients wasn't just in the clinic, he took it one step further to really touch their lives and commit to improving the health of his patients on a larger scale, through startups. He showed not only through words, but through actions, how a physician can make a massive difference in so many people's lives. Through his guidance and mentorship, I learned a lot about how to be a better physician, and how to approach medicine in a way that truly puts the patient first.

Friends in Cherai!

Enjoying Kerala backwaters at Cherai!

Beautiful Kerala Sunsets

In conclusion, my Fulbright experience in India has been truly transformative. From working on a startup that has the potential to improve the lives of countless cancer patients to learning about the importance of social connections and the value of mentorship, my time here has taught me invaluable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. And yet, as I think back to that thrilling moment in the soccer stadium in Kochi, I am reminded of the power of cultural exchange. Just as I was able to experience the excitement of a World Cup game thousands of miles away from my home country, I have been able to immerse myself in a culture that is vastly different from my own and learn from the people and experiences around me. It is through this exchange of ideas, perspectives, and values that true innovation and progress can be made. And so, as I prepare to return home, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to continuing the work of building bridges between cultures and creating positive change in the world.