Kami Pullakhandam
Kami is a junior majoring in Global Health and Public Policy Studies. She finds fulfillment in understanding how gaps in healthcare can be resolved by effective policy. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in medicine, leaning on knowledge learned at Duke to broaden her skillset as a doctor.
L's Taken
6
"Thank you for applying but..."
Several DukeEngage programs
So many Bass Connections projects
Internships with the United Nations Foundation
Huang Fellows
CEF Advocates
Robertson Scholars
3
Things I thought I'd finish but never did
So so so many books
Field research in India
Several podcasts
6
Everyday L's of life
Putting unfolded laundry on my bed and moving it to my chair when I sleep, only to move it back to my bed in the morning
Making coffee in the morning and forgetting to put the mug under the machine
Never having a matching pair of socks
Freaking out about misplacing my phone 173 times a day
Always asking for a charger no matter where I go
Losing at least 2 water bottles every year
On the Bright Side
9
Memories I made when I wasn't working/studying
Driving to Mapleview ice cream with the windows down and music blasting in the car
Sitting on BC plaza and constantly running into friends
Early afternoon brunches at Marketplace
Having a sunset picnic at the Duke Gardens
Stopping at random spots on the way home from a dance competition only to take silly self-timer pictures
Midnight hallway conversations with my best friends
Late night shenanigans that always end with a Cookout milkshake
Group vent sessions that finish with reasons we’re thankful for each other
Cuddling with my dog during cold winter mornings
4
Things I've learned that will still matter in 10 years
“We do not have control, but we have many many choices” – a 3:30 am quote from one of my best friends
Think about life events by the 10/10/10 rule – you may still be upset 10 days from now, but 10 months from now it’ll be history and 10 years from now, you will have forgotten about the moment altogether. A valuable lesson I learned from Professor Carnes during PubPol 155.
Nothing is ever set in stone
Commitment to your work is just as important as commitment to your relationships. Life is about balance, not blind, never-ending hard work.
14
TV shows, movies, and books I've enjoyed
New Girl
The Queen’s Gambit
Snowpiercer
Being Mortal
The Invention of Madness
Little Women – the first “classic” novel I ever read
Love Island – I’m a sucker for trashy reality TV
The Big Truck That Went By
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Becoming
Pride and Prejudice
The Kite Runner
The Last Lecture
A Little Life
6
Things I'm proud of that you won't see on my resume
Being a fiercely loyal friend
Becoming a morning person
My ability to imitate my little brother
Developing a healthy daily routine and exercising regularly
Learning how to work efficiently throughout the day and effectively manage time
Being okay with setting aside academic responsibilities for the sake of my relationships and wellbeing
0
Unconventional skills
0
Quirks that make me who I am
10
Small joys in my life
Discovering new music
ABP iced vanilla lattes
Studying by the window in the mornings to see the sunrise
Printing out pictures from my phone every year and reminiscing on the memories
Falling asleep the second my head hits the pillow
A really good morning stretch
Sending and receiving TikToks
Finding out movie and TV show co-stars are together in real life
Beautiful sunsets (the ones at Duke just hit different)
Eucalyptus and spearmint scented anything
0
Obstacles I have overcome
0
Things I've done that pushed me out of my comfort zone
4
Failures that seemed like the end of the world back then but don't matter in hindsight
Ending freshman year at Duke having been rejected from nearly everything I applied to
Failing numerous Orgo and Gen Chem tests
Finishing only 50% of my first Physics I exam
0
Leaps of Faith
0
Life events that have made me stronger
6
of my favorite quotes
“Her laugh as infectious as the freshman plague” – a segment from a friend’s slam poem
“I think humans were meant to hibernate. We just forgot to for a couple generations and then evolution” – a very sleep deprived fellow pre-med of mine
“He experiences the singular pleasure of watching people he loved fall in love with other people he loved” – a quote from a character in A Little Life
“Can the bread come get me for once?” – a post on Twitter
“I’m just so used to me and my friends making fun of each other, I think I’ve been conditioned to reject that level of human decency or something” – one of my best friends as she remarks on a compliment she received
“Just because people don’t live in beautiful homes doesn’t mean their dreams aren’t big and their souls aren’t rich” – A quote from Searching for Sugar Man