By Dr. Rajkumar Doshi
I completed my Internal Medicine residency at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. During my three-year residency, I thoroughly enjoyed living on the West Coast of the United States. Now, as a fellow, I am experiencing life in New York City as well as the suburban lifestyle in New Jersey.
The West Coast and Northeast Coast of the United States provided me with completely different experiences as an exchange visitor. Because Reno is the “Biggest Little City in the World,” people were much closer in my residency program there. Here in New Jersey, most people have their own friends and family and are less involved with their colleagues. The West Coast boasts stunning natural landscapes, including beaches, mountains, and deserts. The Northeast Coast is primarily characterized by the concrete jungle of NYC, as well as other major cities. Because of traffic, the same amount of travel in New Jersey takes almost triple the time it would have taken on the West Coast. Additionally, the hospital environment on the West Coast was different, with people being more laidback, outdoorsy, and willing to help one another. People on the Northeast Coast tend to be more fast-paced and competitive. Transportation was primarily car-based on the West Coast, while I can rely on public transportation here. Although I loved the nature on the West Coast, I am enjoying socializing with friends and trying Indian cuisine on the Northeast Coast. Additionally, I am a big tennis fan and have enjoyed attending the US Open in Queens, New York, with my wife and friends.
Something unique about my training experience is that my wife, Devina, is here in the United States training with me on a J-2 visa. I met my wife Devina through a mutual friend who introduced us. Although I worked as a junior resident at her medical school for a year, we had never met. She was a scholar student at her college, and we initially connected over our shared goal of living in the United States. As I was occupied with my residency, we began talking on the phone, and she decided to travel to the United States to meet me. At the time, I was doing my away elective at Mayo Clinic Arizona in the Cardiology department. She arrived directly in Arizona to meet me and ended up staying with me for over three months. During this time, we fell in love with each other, and we decided to get engaged in the near future. Unfortunately, due to COVID-related restrictions in India, Devina got stuck there for about six months after she returned home. Eventually, as travel restrictions were loosened, she was able to return to the United States, and we spent six months together while she prepared for her USMLE Step 2 CK exam. One day, while visiting Pebble Beach near San Francisco, I proposed to her, and we decided to get married.
I was passionate about pursuing a Cardiology fellowship and applied for it, while Devina applied for her Internal Medicine residency during the same year. As most of our friends were in New Jersey, I took my pre-match there. Fortunately, she also matched in the same program, and now we are both doing our respective trainings while living together. I feel incredibly grateful for my wife’s love and companionship and for the wonderful life we have built for ourselves in the United States. We both enjoy dining out and often travel to New York City for an evening out followed by a nice dinner. We love exploring this amazing city that never ceases to amaze us, and we often spend the whole day there with our friends.
Devina’s presence in my life brings love and laughter, making every day a cherished gift. Together, we have embarked on this international, cross-country journey while pursuing our dreams side by side.