From ECEC to MD: A Journey of Curiosity, Service, and Belonging—Maahika Srinivasan

By Chad Laws (AES Communications Specialist)

When I reflect on my journey from AES to where I am now, I’m struck by how formative those years at the school were in shaping not just my academic path, but the person I became. My family’s move to Delhi in 1997 from Boulder, Colorado, was supposed to be a brief three-year stint. But what was planned as a short-term adventure turned into a 27-year and counting chapter of our lives. 

I was just 4 years old when I first enrolled at AES in ECEC (which I believe was the term used for pre-K at the time). My parents had no idea this move would set us on a journey that would profoundly impact my personal and professional life. I’m an only child, but my mother played an especially significant role in the AES community as a first-grade teacher from 2006 to 2009. Over the years, AES became home not only to me but to our whole family. I graduated in 2011 and, in many ways, the foundation for my next steps was laid during my time at the school.

After AES, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Science and Society from Brown University in 2015. This interdisciplinary field, which merges anthropology and biology, was the perfect fit for my curiosity about human health, culture, and society. From there, I worked in New York City’s non-profit sector for three years while pursuing a master’s degree in Narrative Medicine at Columbia University. Eventually, I enrolled at Harvard Medical School, where I earned my MD, and am now completing my residency in Family Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

While my work as a physician keeps me busy, I still make time for the things I love—meeting with friends and family, exploring the Philly food scene, and binge-listening to pop culture podcasts. Despite the demanding nature of my work, I also emphasize balance, engaging in activities that keep me grounded and connected to the world beyond medicine.

When I think about how AES influenced my life, there are several key moments that stand out. Perhaps one of the most impactful things AES instilled in me was the importance of developing personhood—the idea that academic success is not enough on its own. AES teachers always emphasized leadership, self-care, and accountability to peers, encouraging us to develop holistically. It’s a lesson that has stuck with me throughout my life and my career. As a doctor, it’s essential to not only focus on the technical aspects of medicine but also on how I treat my patients as whole people.

Another core value that AES nurtured in me was an appreciation for diversity and multiculturalism. From celebrating UN Day in elementary school to observing my friends’ cultural traditions in middle school, AES fostered a deep curiosity about other people’s backgrounds, stories, and perspectives. This openness to diversity has stayed with me, shaping the way I approach both my work and my interactions with others. It has been especially valuable as I’ve navigated the global and interdisciplinary nature of both my studies and my medical career.

Perhaps the most vivid memory I have of AES’s commitment to learning and service comes from my involvement in founding the school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) in 2009 with a close friend. Despite being a rudimentary and small group, the unwavering support from AES faculty, staff, and students for this initiative was remarkable. It made me feel, at a young age, that this was a community that genuinely cared about creating a safe, inclusive environment for all identities. It was a formative experience that continues to influence how I view the importance of equity and inclusion in all areas of life.

AES also taught me the value of service and community. From the earliest days of student government in elementary school, I was always focused on how I could serve my classmates rather than what I could gain from leadership positions. That idea of service has stuck with me, whether in my work as a doctor or in the countless volunteer opportunities I’ve pursued along the way.

But perhaps one of the most profound aspects of AES is the sense of community it fosters. Some of the students I first met at AES are my closest friends today. Our shared experiences—from the unique international environment to the lessons we learned together—have created deep, lasting connections that transcend time and distance. Even now, my high school friend group makes a point to meet up every year, strengthening bonds formed during our years at AES.

As I look back on my journey, I realize that AES helped me cultivate a mindset that is always curious, always inclusive, and always seeking to serve. These values continue to guide me as I navigate my career in medicine, and they are the foundation for the work I do every day. The AES community provided me with the tools, the encouragement, and the support to pursue excellence in every part of my life—and for that, I am deeply grateful.

It’s clear to me now that AES didn’t just teach me how to succeed academically—it taught me how to live meaningfully, with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to making the world a better place for others. From ECEC to medical school and beyond, the AES spirit continues to shape my journey.

And, of course, I know that no matter where I go in the world, I’ll always have a home in the AES community.

— Maahika Srinivasan
AES Class of 2011