| Bastyr University » Academic Degree Programs » Interviews » Student Interview | May 12, 2008 |
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
   |
|
Naturopathic Medical Student Discovers Ayurveda
Eva Hyatt knew for a long time that she wanted to attend Bastyr University—it was just a matter of how many degrees she would pursue at Bastyr. When she was 19, the big decision weighing on her mind was whether to come to Bastyr for a nutrition degree or not. Although she eventually decided to get her undergraduate nutrition degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California, so that she could be near her family, Eva did wind up at Bastyr to get her naturopathic medicine degree. Eva, a 28-year-old fourth-year naturopathic medicine student who was born in Tehran, Iran, and lived there until she was 5, says she chose Bastyr because, as she says, “It’s the most well known naturopathic medical school. For a field that is ‘alternative,’ I wanted the best. I felt that Bastyr University was the best.” Eva’s laser focus on succeeding in the natural health field began when she was a teenager. She suffered from skin problems, but conventional drugs such as tetracycline failed to ease her symptoms. Fortunately, her friend’s mother told her about some natural remedies. “It opened up a world to me that I didn’t know existed, and it made sense to me,” she says. She was intrigued by the philosophy behind natural healing, and knew it was important in the scheme of her life. Eva then pursued a job at the Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharmacy and worked there for three years, learning about natural healing and meeting many people who influenced her thinking. She worked her way up from stocking shelves, to cashier, to working on the floor advising people about their choices. “It was just fun,” she says. “I learned a lot, and they were excited that someone so young was so interested.” Eva continued to work at the pharmacy in the summer while she was earning her bachelor’s degree. After obtaining her nutrition degree, she moved to the Northwest to attend Bastyr University, where she has spent the past four years. As her graduation date in spring 2005 draws near, everything has unfolded just as she has planned. But Eva didn’t plan for everything. Midway through her education, she discovered an unexpected love: Ayurveda, an ancient Indian form of medicine. It wasn’t until she took the required introductory Ayurvedic medicine class at Bastyr that she became smitten with the medicine. “It just so happens that Dr. Svoboda is amazing and I just loved him,” she says. She was so fascinated with Ayurvedic medicine that she asked Dr. Svoboda where she could study Ayurvedic medicine in more depth. He recommended she go straight to the source: India. Eva studied Ayurvedic medicine for two months at the Ayurvedic Trust in Coimbatore, Southern India. She attended lectures in the morning (they have a certificate program and research institute there) and in the afternoon, she interned with traditional Ayurvedic doctors. Later in the day, she would do hands-on work with patients. “I’ve become a huge believer in Ayurvedic medicine,” she says. “I’ve seen incredible changes in people. It works, but it has to be done right.” The culture made an impression on her as well. “In India, the people are very open. There’s not this sense of being rushed. Life is very ‘real’ and people aren’t as concerned about the embellishments.” After returning from India, Eva became a teaching assistant in Dr. Svoboda’s class and she has also become involved with Bastyr University’s research project on Ayurvedic medicine. While she may not practice traditional Ayurvedic medicine, she will use the philosophy and principles in her future work She views it as another tool in her naturopathic physician’s toolkit. “As a naturopathic physician, you have several modalities you can use,” she explains, “such as homeopathy which originated in Germany, physical medicine, nutrition, etc. Many of them are taken from other philosophies of medicine, but they all fit within the philosophy of naturopathic medicine.” Eva plans to practice with an eclectic and holistic orientation. When she was in India, she learned “to be open, not to judge any type of medicine or healing system the patient believes in, but to meet patients where they are,” she says. “And to be a fluid person.” While fluid she may be, she has a pretty good idea where she’s going. “I think I would like to stay here. I have made connections with some really good doctors.” Reflecting on that for a second, she strengthens her statement: “I would love to stay here.” 
|
