Dr. Supriya Yadav

Imagine this – COVID-19, in an alien country, no family, no friends, empty streets, empty shops, empty workplaces, and a lady stranded for five long months!

As apt as it sounds for the beginning of a thriller, this is the real lifestory of Dr. Supriya Yadav – a Veterinarian from India, who was rewarded an internship in America. Unfortunately for Dr. Yadav, the internship began just a few weeks before the spread of the pandemic, stranding her in America when the outbreak occurred. But the veterinarian did not lose faith, and paved her path through the unimaginable, to finally re-unite with her family in India.

Indeed, COVID-19 has affected each one of us in more than one way. And although each individual has a different story to share, the rope that binds all the stories together is love! Love comes in an array of forms and affects each human differently. It makes us laugh, it makes us cry, it makes us angry, it makes us jealous. And at times, it makes us endure the unimaginable. As Dr. Yadav narrates her pandemic experience, she says, “Love can indeed transform one into a stronger, kinder, and better person.”

Dr. Supriya Yadav, an all India Veterinary Sciences rank holder is a Veterinary Medicine Specialist, with a special focus on the use of antioxidants in medicine. She is currently pursuing a fully funded Ph.D. at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, one of the highly coveted veterinary universities of India. Her research deals with the use of medicinal herbs for the medical treatment of calf diarrhoea. Her notable works have been published in several peer-reviewed journals. Apart from academics, Dr. Yadav enjoys running, drawing and gardening. She lives in Dehradun with her mother and her brother.

The interviewer, Chirantana Mathkari, is an U.S. based Veterinarian turned Animal Behaviourist. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Poultry Welfare, at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Chirantana Mathkari (CM): How long were you stuck in the U.S.A.? And how did you feel when you finally were able to book a flight home?

Supriya Yadav (SY): I was stuck for five months. The duration of my internship was three months, but due to the pandemic, I was stranded during my internship and two months after the internship too. I was exhilarated when I booked my ticket. Due to the reduced flight frequency and extreme rush, I faced problems twice while booking the tickets. I was nervous as the fear of being stuck longer hit me. But finally, I managed to book the ticket. I remember literally jumping with joy in my lab! But oddly enough, within an hour, my excitement dropped down to zero and I was back to my work. I was truly happy to be able to return home, but I knew I had work to complete before I left. And then, only my work was on my mind.

CM: We would not be conversing today had you not come to the U.S.A. for an internship. So, what made you come here?

SY: Honestly, I never thought I would be able to go abroad until a colleague of mine motivated me to do so. She helped me fill out the application and it got accepted. That is when I became serious about pursuing the internship. Although my first choices were the European and the Russian universities, the universities which accepted my application were in Brazil, Canada, and U.S.A. Going to the U.S.A. was never my dream per se, but I decided to go – I feel visiting a nation as a tourist and living in a nation as a professional are very different experiences; and the latter can be much more enriching. And thus, I chose the U.S.A.

CM: What expectations did you have of the country as a Veterinary researcher and as a visitor?

SY: As a researcher, I was curious to know what new research is being conducted abroad, and whether and how it is different from that in India. I was also looking forward to get hands-on training on the various facilities and modern equipment, which are not always available to us in India. I was quite happy with the American education system that allows one to choose their mentor and the research they want to do. And therefore, I was hoping to work in a purely research focused environment in the States. As a tourist, it was my first time to visit U.S.A., and I was very keen to know whether the locations that are featured in movies are just the same in real-life! I wanted to see them with my own eyes, and touch them with my own hands.

CM: Before the Government lockdown, how was your experience in the Kansas State University? And could you share your most memorable experience in the University?

SY: My experience started on a great note. My mentor made me feel very comfortable – he introduced me to the lab mates, and the Dean of the college too. He had high expectations of me, but was also very much involved in my work. I worked on several topics for long hours, but it was so enriching, that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Work never felt hectic. I even got the opportunity to attend various seminars. A memorable experience was when I locked myself out of the lab on a non-working day. I had to call my lab mates to help me out, and they were nice enough to come! I think that was the time when we broke the ice and became good friends.

CM: How did this change after the lockdown? How did the lockdown affect your work?

SY: The lockdown affected my work markedly. My lab work came to a halt. And after a fortnight, when I was finally able to go to the lab, the environment felt entirely changed. People tried to avoid each other due to the fear of the disease, and we all were quite scared to interact physically. I felt a bit alienated. The lockdown also hampered interstate travel, and prevent me from being able to learn an advanced technique available only at a facility in a neighbouring state. I was unable to complete the project which I had begun before the lockdown, and consequently my project was changed. But I accepted it and worked on the new project to the best of my ability.

CM: Being unable to fly back home even after the end of the stipulated internship period was certainly unexpected. How did this impact your career?

SY: Had I been able to come back on time, I would have completed my degree by now. I had collected samples for my thesis before leaving for U.S.A., with the plan that I would process them once I return. But the samples went bad as I returned very late, and they are no longer processable. Even if I decide to recollect the samples, it would take me half a year more at least. So, not being able to return to India hampered my career drastically.

CM: Could you share as to how did the inability to go home affected your personal life?

SY: When I could not go to the lab, I just did not know what to do. Initially, I worked on the written research, but once that was completed, I did not know how to spend my time. It was very depressing during the first few days – I used to sit by my window for hours, just observing the field outside. Soon, anxiety hit me and I worried about every small thing. But I think with my family’s and friend’s support, I learnt to divert my mind. I took to drawing and yoga and it helped me overcome my anxiety.

I was affected economically too to a certain extent. I had a second scholarship, but it was inaccessible to me at that period of time. I wrote to my university in India repeatedly but it was frustrating to receive no concrete response from them. Finally, I borrowed some money from my friends for living expenses, and then for the travel back home.

CM: It can be hard to be away from home in an alien country, especially during such times. In fact, I am experiencing it first hand. Could you talk about how the lockdown affected your bond with your family and friends? How did this situation affect your family?

SY: I was in touch with my family and friends daily. My family was initially concerned as I was far away from them, but talking with them everyday pacified them and helped me feel better too. My friends stood true to the saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’ and checked up on me every single day. My bond with my family and my friends only grew stronger during these harsh times.

CM: COVID-19 has changed the way we travel. How was your flying experience? And how was it different from your flight from India to the U.S.A. before the pandemic?

SY: The protocol to board the flight was lengthy and the situation was grim. We were provided with PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) in the flight, and that felt a bit safe. But to my surprise, the social distancing guidelines were not followed by the airlines. All the seats were occupied, and it was scary to be seated next to strangers due to the pandemic. The fear of contracting Corona was constant throughout the journey. The situation was no better upon landing either – the tests were not efficient and the hotel choices made available for quarantining were extremely limited. Spending excessively for the quarantine was an awful experience for me. The only thought that helped me sustain the journey was being able to meet my family.

CM: How did it feel to finally reunite with your family? Knowing that you share a close bond with your mother, what was her reaction upon seeing you?

SY: I felt absolutely fabulous! It was the moment I was waiting for eagerly since I flew from the U.S.A. I experienced serenity and understood the true meaning of ‘being home’. As for my mother, she was on cloud nine! Her face brightened, and a couple of tears dropped off her eyes when she saw me. She was as happy as I had ever seen her. Later, I came to know from my neighbours that she was very concerned for me, and often used to share her feelings with them. They could see a stark positive change in her once I returned. She was indeed very relieved.

CM: How has this experience shaped you as a person and as a veterinary researcher?

SY: I learnt to do several things by myself in America, and even those which I had never done before. This experience made me independent and at the same time helpful. I feel lucky to have met the people I did in America, as I learnt an array of lessons from each of them. Living in America, especially during the pandemic, gave me ample ‘me time’, and this helped me gain more clarity and focus, in personal as well as professional life. I gained more confidence on my professional abilities. It made me courageous and I learnt that I should do the things I have always wanted to do. More importantly, I also learnt how to achieve the goals which I set for myself. Finally, being able to come home safe made me realise that nothing lasts for ever. You just need to take a stance and be true to it! The experience has changed me a lot, and I feel transformed for the good!

CM: What would you suggest for the people who are stuck outside their home country and are unable to go back home?

SY: First of all, have faith. Second of all, remember that the pandemic would not last forever. So, be positive, as some day, you will come back home! On a more practical note, I would suggest avoid reading Corona related news very often. Try your hands at something constructive, as this is the perfect time to pursue your hobbies. Re-connect with old friends or family members with whom you would not have spoken otherwise. Karma is for real. And love can indeed transform one into a stronger, kinder, and better person!