Teaching is Learning

In addition to a curricular requirement for completion of a master’s programme, an Internship can serve a variety of purposes for different students.   Therefore, students have a lot of queries about issues to consider before, during, and after internships. There are variety of approaches in deciding about why, where, and how of the internship, below are my reflections on internships based on years of interactions with students in public health and healthcare administration courses. Purpose of internship While every student does an internship as a part of the course, they have different purposes in mind. These purposes could include a combination of a) getting practical exposure, b) becoming an actor and getting into action, c) expanding education beyond the classroom and curriculum, and d) exploring potential career options.   The students will get all of these to varying degrees but will get some of these more than the other, depending on their preferences, focus, and effort...

Many of my post-graduate students often share their concerns about marks in their internal assessments and final examinations. These concerns are generally not from poor-performing ones; they are from students who score above-average marks.   Their anxiety and sadness make me wonder how and why marks still matter to these youth in their mid-twenties.   I share below certain conclusions from many reflections and discussions that I had with my students. For most of us, marks have remained an important part of life since early childhood.   This attracted some sort of validation from parents and teachers during our formative years.   It leaves a very deep imprint on young minds.   Being used as a yardstick for advancements in the educational journey, Marks acquire some sort of apex importance. The students never allow themselves to revisit this marks-centeredness and its relevance in adulthood.   This is a very important reason for marks-related anxieties. ...