UCSC Alumni Testimonials

“Founding the UCSC chapter and leading our first-ever SLT was one of the proudest, most meaningful things I’ve ever done. I saw students’ lives change—mine included. It taught me leadership, teamwork, and the kind of compassion that stays with you forever.” 

- Alyssa, UCSC MEDLIFE Chapter Founder

Alyssa is a UCSC pre-health student alumnus who graduated in 2020. Alyssa founded UCSC MEDLIFE’s chapter in 2017 because she wanted to create something meaningful for students like her, who care about global health, hands-on service, and making a real impact, as well as bringing global service and healthcare access to the forefront for UCSC students. 

During her time at UCSC, she attended a Service Learning Trip to Cusco, Peru, where she learned the power of listening before helping, one of MEDLIFE’s key values, which works towards sustainable care. When asked why UCSC students should attend an SLT, Alyssa stated, “It’s life-changing! You’ll learn, connect, and grow in ways no classroom can offer. It’s not just about helping–it’s about building relationships and seeing the world through a new lens.” 

MEDLIFE has played a role in shaping Alyssa’s path towards becoming a community-minded physician. Alyssa served as president for the first three years of UCSC MEDLIFE’s chapter. In 2026, she will be graduating as a physician from the University of Minnesota. 

“I wanted to know more about Global Health and what healthcare is like in different countries. I knew that being a part of MEDLIFE would prepare me to be a better healthcare provider.” 

- Harkiran, Trip Coordinator (2018-2020) & Vice President (2020-2022)

Harkiran graduated from UCSC in 2022 with a bachelor’s in MCD Biology and was a part of the first established executive board in 2019 of our UCSC MEDLIFE Chapter as a trip coordinator and vice president. 

Harkiran’s first Service Learning Trip (SLT) in Cusco, Peru, influenced her to apply for the executive board; she thought it would be a way to get involved in health initiatives. Harkiran’s MEDLIFE experience not only provided a path into healthcare but also provided her with friends for life! One of the biggest lessons Harkiran took from the SLT she attended was the lack of care in rural communities. When asked what she would say to someone afraid of going to an SLT, Harkiran stated, “Full send it! It will be an unforgettable experience.” 

Harkiran served as a Junior Specialist at UCSF’s Cell Design Institute from 2022 to 2024 and is now attending California Health Science University to pursue a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.

“Through MEDLIFE, I further developed an understanding of accessibility in medicine. This experience fueled my passion for empowering patients in healthcare by acknowledging economic and language barriers. This passion, paired with my love for animals, encouraged my desire to pursue veterinary school. I believe there is an interconnectedness between animals and humans, furthering my understanding that the well-being of both is connected.” 

- Amaya, Publicity Officer (2019-2020) & President (2020-2022) 

Amaya graduated from UCSC in 2022 with a bachelor's in Biology and Arts. Amaya was an active member of our chapter once it got started. She then joined the executive board after her first SLT in Cusco, Peru. Being on the executive board allowed Amaya to further develop her leadership skills. When asked the biggest lesson she learned from attending an SLT, she stated, “During the SLT to Cusco, Peru, my cohort and I traveled to various communities to provide support through MEDLIFE's mobile clinics. This experience broadened my perspective on the health disparities faced by the communities we visited. The nearest hospital was over a day's travel, and many of these community members would have to travel by foot.” 

During Amaya’s time as president, she continued to build a foundation for our chapter while running a club during the pandemic. During lockdown, Amaya and the rest of the executive board led a virtual SLT and fundraised for canned foods for those communities. During this time, the chapter did pre-health guides/panels, which we still offer to this day! In her last year, Amaya focused on establishing the chapter in a post-lockdown world, where the executive board focused on outreach and engagement, while trying to make it fun for everyone. In 2029, Amaya will graduate as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from UC Davis, where she looks forward to helping pet owners feel confident in their animals' care. 

“I think that healthcare is not simple anywhere. The struggles are the same with different environments and different levels of visibility. It invokes a sense of responsibility, especially for those who are eager to enter the medical field.” 

- Angelina, Secretary (2021-2022) & President (2022-2023) 

Angelina graduated from UCSC in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Human Biology and joined the executive board from 2021 to 2023. When asked why she thought joining MEDLIFE would benefit her as a UCSC student, Angelina stated, “During the time of lockdown, I was looking for a community that was like-minded to distract me through the global tension. MEDLIFE was the right outlet and a beautiful space to let out my philanthropic and creative side.” Then, as an executive board member, she felt like she could bring everything MEDLIFE at UCSC was capable of; she is now amazed at how this club has grown. 

During her first Service Learning Trip in Riobama, Ecuador, Angelina threw up on the first day of the trip, but did not let that hold her back! She thinks that was the most fun she had during her senior year and believes that SLTs are a place for growth, conversation, and experience. 

During her time as president, Angelina continued to strengthen the foundation that our chapter continues to build on. Much of our club’s growth is due to Angelina’s strong leadership. Angelina is now in medical school and believes that her MEDLIFE/SLT experience is one of the factors that encouraged her to apply and realize the magic in medicine! 

“An SLT is a great opportunity to learn about medicine in other countries and be a part of something that’s bigger than you. You will be around students who share similar interests and make an impact together. The mobile clinics and projects are a great learning experiences and you make long-time friend.” 

- Kaitlyn, Publicity Officer (2023-2024) 

Kaitlyn graduated from UCSC in 2024 with a bachelor's in Cognitive Science and Psychology. Kaitlyn learned about MEDLIFE during her junior year and decided to join since she was not involved in campus activities. MEDLIFE seemed like a good place to start for Kaitlyn, given that people with driven mindsets surrounded it, and it felt like an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. 

After her first Service Learning Trip (SLT) in Riobamba, Ecuador, Kaitlyn joined the executive board to have a bigger role and continue being a part of MEDLIFE. Her second SLT was to Cusco, Peru! When asked what the biggest lesson she learned by attending an SLT, Kaitlyn stated, “While on the SLT, I learned the history of developing communities, how medicine operates in different countries, and most importantly, I learned more about what kind of impact I want to make. Having the opportunity to shadow doctors, gynecologists, dentists, and other public health leaders, I was able to see their impact on the communities and understand my role as a student/ leader.” 

During her time as a publicity officer, Kaitlyn remodeled how our chapter’s social media looks/runs; our publicity team continues to use her contributions. In 2026, Kaitlyn will get her Master's of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research at UC San Diego. 

“MEDLIFE exposed me to how community members, physicians, and social workers collaborate to better underserved communities. It really does take a whole village and every community member is vital.”

 - Diya, Outreach Officer (2023-2024) & Co-President (2024-2025) 

Diya graduated from UCSC in 2025 with a bachelor’s in Global & Community Health and a minor in Politics. Diya joined MEDLIFE to meet other students who are passionate about equitable healthcare. 

After her first SLT to Riobamba, Ecuador, Diya joined the executive board as an outreach officer. Then went on to attend two more SLTs in Cusco, Peru, and San Jose, Costa Rica. Diya joined the executive board to gain leadership experience, as she wanted to lead and collaborate with others towards a collective goal. When asked what the biggest lesson she learned from attending three SLTs, she stated, “I learned about the parallels between our healthcare system and international ones. We, too, have resilient underserved communities that deserve more representation and advocacy.”  

As Co-President, Diya spread awareness of voluntourism and spoke on MEDLIFE’s mission of sustainable care. During her time at UCSC, Diya was actively involved in the campus community; some of her notable campus involvements included serving as a Peer Coordinator and Program Assistant for CAPS, as well as a Peer Reviewer for the UCSC Journal of Medicine. In 2026, Diya will obtain her Master’s of Public Health at Claremont Graduate University and then plans to apply to medical school. 

“I initially joined MEDLIFE as a way to gain clinical experience outside the traditional U.S. healthcare system, but it quickly became much more than that. Through MEDLIFE, I gained insight into global healthcare and the ways different health policies shape outcomes across countries. Beyond the clinical and educational aspects, I also found a close-knit community within a large campus, which gave me a strong sense of belonging. This experience not only helped me grow personally but also solidified my commitment to pursuing a career in healthcare.” 

- Eli, Trip Coordinator (2023-2024) & Co-President (2024-2025) 

Eli graduated from UCSC in 2025 with a bachelor’s in MCD Biology. Eli joined the executive board as a trip coordinator after attending his first SLT in Riobamba, Ecuador. Although being a member was already a significant experience, he thought that serving on the executive board would give him a deeper insight into MEDLIFE and the efforts behind each SLT. Eli attended two more SLTs in Cusco, Peru, and San Jose, Costa Rica. 

When asked what the biggest lesson he learned from attending SLTs, he stated, “The most important lesson I gained from attending the SLTs was the emphasis on addressing the root causes of health disparities. For much of my life, I understood health care primarily as treating illness. However, through MEDLIFE, I experienced firsthand the power of preventative care. For example, in Cusco, Peru, our teams built greenhouses that provided rural communities not only with reliable sources of nutrition but also with sustainable income to support their families.” Eli believes that attending an SLT offers an amazing experience with a long-lasting impact on a person’s perspective of life, whether or not someone is planning to pursue a career in healthcare. To Eli, going to an SLT is beyond the service itself; it’s an opportunity to meet new people, create memories, and become part of a supportive community. Eli is now attending medical school at California Health Science University. 

“An SLT is more than just a trip. It’s a transformative experience that challenges your assumptions, deepens your empathy, and expands your worldview. UCSC students should join to gain firsthand insight into global health disparities, but also to witness the strength and dignity of the communities we serve. You don’t just show up and “help”; you learn, listen, and build relationships. You come back more aware of how interconnected we all are, and how even small acts can contribute to meaningful change. It’s not just an opportunity to give, it’s an opportunity to grow.” 

- Zeltzin, Trip Coordinator (2023-2024) & Internal Vice President (2024-2025) 

Zeltzin will be graduating from UCSC in 2026 with a bachelor’s MCD Biology. Zeltzin joined MEDLIFE because she wanted to be part of something meaningful that connects education with real-world impact; she thought it would broaden her perspective as a student. She joined the executive board to be surrounded by a community of like-minded people, but also to understand how MEDLIFE’s organization runs. Being a Trip Coordinator and Internal Vice President allowed Zeltzin to appreciate MEDLIFE’s work. 

When asked what the biggest lesson she learned from attending three SLTs in Riobamba, Ecuador, Cusco, Peru, and San Jose, Costa Rica, she stated, “...Seeing the limited access to healthcare and basic necessities opened my eyes in a way no classroom or conversation ever could. But at the same time, I saw how rich the culture was. How much pride, resilience, and beauty existed in these communities. It made me reflect not only on what I take for granted but also on how I can use my privilege responsibly. It shifted my mindset entirely. This experience made me more grounded, more grateful, and more committed to a career that serves others.” Zeltzin is currently in phlebotomy school and plans to work in that during her gap year before applying to medical school; she hopes to become a hematologist or oncologist.