Diverse student body

The School of Public Health is among the most diverse communities at Saint Louis University.  Every year the School welcomes students from many different countries and cultural traditions to study here.  As stated in our recent self-study document, “the SPH strives to have a level of diversity, measured as the percent other than Caucasian, at or higher than Missouri, Metropolitan St. Louis and University rates. In all of the last three years, the percent other than Caucasian has been above 25%, ranging from 37% to 42%, higher than Missouri, Metropolitan St. Louis and University rates.” 

Students who attend SLU SPH are well aware of the richness that such diversity brings to the classroom experience.  As noted in the State of the School document, last year we were pleased to have students from throughout the United States and 21 foreign countries. The new Master of Science in Biosecurity, in distance learning format, populates our student body with representatives based around the world, from Australia to Israel. 

Our office of Student Services works to make the academic and social experience at the SPH welcoming to students from other countries, as do the experienced students who take newcomers ”under their wings” for advice and assistance.  The larger university community also provides resources to international students.

“Last summer I had a great experience when I joined for three months the Garden of Eden project. This community-based participatory research provided me with the opportunity to work very closely with an African-American community and learn about their cultural richness and exceptional human qualities. Far away from my family and friends, every Saturday I felt again in family. The cultural diversity that I experience every day affects my perspective and approach, not only in my work, but also in my personal life.” (Borsika A. Rabin, MPH ’07, PhD student)

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