Student Experience
Students at the Bloomberg School of Public Health are already making an impact on the field of public health. Hear how their experiences at the Bloomberg School have shaped their outlook on public health and what they've enjoyed most about being a Bloomberg student.
Mahanna Elsheik
MSPH’24- Global Disease Epidemiology and Control
Department of International Health
What have you enjoyed most about your experience at Hopkins?
I enjoy how challenging and intellectually stimulating the coursework is here which pushes me to think deeply and outside the box. There are also many talks, discussions, debates and lectures to attend, hosted by different clubs and societies, with really interesting guest lecturers and students and interacting with them has been both insightful and fun.
What are some of your favorite classes?
Infectious Diseases and Child Survival, Global Disease Control Programs and Policies, Epidemiologic Applications of GIS, Design and Conduct of Community Trials, Vaccine Development and Application, Epidemiologic Methods, Statistical Methods in Public Health series
What were some of the deciding factors for choosing the Bloomberg School?
School specific practicum programs like The Global Health Established Field Placements (GHEFP) and Program in Applied Vaccine Experiences (PAVE) were significant draws for me since they offered valuable applied experience in the field. Also, after talking to some students, they reassured me that the environment wasn’t competitive but rather friendly and collaborative. Another standout feature to me was the term system, which although stressful to manage, allowed for opportunity to take many classes and diversify one's skill set.
If you attend in person, what do you enjoy most about the campus and Baltimore?
The face-to-face social connection that comes with being on campus is unmatched and it's allowed me to make new friends and develop meaningful connections. Also, it’s been great to have a chance to volunteer with local community-based programs; working alongside people who are very passionate about what they do has been very inspiring. Plus, Baltimore truly lives up to its nickname of "Charm City", there are always tons of events and concerts happening in Baltimore and the food scene is incredible!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Keep an open mind and don't feel discouraged if your interests change once you're here. There are so many interesting classes, and you might find yourself liking something that is very different from what you initially thought. So don’t be afraid to explore different areas and diversify your skillset.
Julia Wang
MSPH, Health Education and Health Communication
Department of Health, Behavior and Society
What have you enjoyed most about your experience at Hopkins?
I really enjoyed my leadership experiences, such as doing the boba giveaways for Student Assembly where I was able to bring boba to the people and being the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (NAMI) ambassador where I was able to come up with a myriad of events for the #IWillListen Campaign. For Public Health Week, Asia Pacific Public Health Network (APPHN) and Integrative Medicine Society (IMS) , two student clubs that I am on the leadership team on, have created a mental health and well-being book club to foster an inclusive community for mental health discussion surrounding AANPHI related topics. After the discussion, so many students came up to me asking if they would continue this book club, stating how they felt safe and so comfortable here. Some students even told me they cried, hearing the stories of others, and were so thankful that this discussion was held. Seeing how much joy these events or even just anticipating these events for the student body brings me a lot of joy.
What are some of your favorite classes
Favorite classes:
- Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of Tropical Diseases
- Public Health and the Good Life
- Health Management Information Systems
- Population Health Informatics
- Introduction to Persuasive Communications
- Food and Waterborne Diseases
- Fundamentals of Health, Behavior and Society
What were some of the deciding factors for choosing the Bloomberg School?
Deciding factors included the number of different departments, diversity of classes, prestige, as well as cost. Additionally, I only applied to about four schools, and I factored in how much I would be able to enjoy city life/ live in that area such as cold weather. I also like the number of certificates you can explore.
If you attend in person, what do you enjoy most about the campus and Baltimore?
The security guards, janitorial staff, and most of the staff are really nice, empathetic, and kind. They deserve more recognition. I also enjoy how there are events where free food is given out.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Doing more research about the city, such as where to live, which areas to avoid and more, will be critical because psychological safety will impact your mental health and physical well-being. Trying to understand student resources and health insurance coverage will be very handy in the future.
Joe Aumuller
MSPH’23, Master of Arts in International Relations (SAIS) and the Master of Science in Public Health
Department of International Health
What have you enjoyed most about your experience at Hopkins?
My experience at Hopkins has taken me all over the world, something I really wanted in my graduate education. From starting at SAIS's Bologna campus to Bloomberg studies in Baltimore, to my final year spent in Zambia and D.C., I've had incredible opportunities to work with a diverse array of faculty and students. Hopkins has provided me significant opportunities to grow personally, professionally, and academically within the fields of international health and policy.
What are some of your favorite classes
I've had many favorite classes here at Hopkins. At the Bloomberg School of Public Health my favorite courses have been Clinical and Epidemiologic Aspects of Tropical Medicine, Professional Epidemiologic Methods, Public Health Surveillance, GIS, and the OneHealth Seminar. At SAIS, I've enjoyed Introduction to Energy Resources & Environment, Sustainable Finance in R, GIS, and International Economics. The best part of the dual program has been drawing linkages between courses from each of the schools.
What were some of the deciding factors for choosing the Bloomberg School?
I had a very specific vision applying to graduate school, I wanted to study the intersection of international health and climate change. Specifically, changes to infectious disease. Very few schools offer programs in climate health and epidemiology, even fewer with mandatory practicums that provide professional field experience prior to graduation. I started graduate school in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic as an in-person student at the SAIS Europe campus in Bologna, Italy. Beginning as an in-person student during the pandemic was a major selling point as was the ability to complete my two masters within 3 years rather than 4. The ability to study at two of the best programs in their respective fields, focusing on climate health, studying and working abroad, and to work with faculty in my desired career fields were a huge draw to me.
If you attend in person, what do you enjoy most about the campus and Baltimore?
There are wooden benches in Baltimore with carvings that say "Greatest City in America". Baltimore is the greatest city in America to study public health. There is a great need for public health work throughout the Baltimore community and with opportunities to apply lessons from the classroom to the environment that surrounds it. The ability to also be near the inner harbor, Patterson Park, neighborhood restaurants, shops, and short drives nearby to Patapsco Park really make Baltimore such a great place to live. Getting out of the city much easier compared to a larger city like D.C. giving students lots of opportunities for life outside the classroom.
If you’re a fully online student what have you enjoyed most about your experience?
I began studies at Hopkins during the pandemic and a majority of my first two years were spent online despite some in-person classes at the beginning of AY20-21 and dispersed throughout AY21-22. My online experience at the School of Public Health has been extraordinary. From their use of CoursePlus software, to dedicated learning teams for managing online and hybrid learning environments, BSPH made online learning very engaging.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
There are so many opportunities to engage with faculty and fellow students at the School of Public Health. Many of your instructors and peers will be your future colleagues and teammates working on pressing public health issues. Leverage your time in and outside the classroom to not only learn and develop new skills, but to cultivate new relationships.
Donna Castelblanco
DrPH '28, Health Equity and Social Justice
What are some of your favorite classes?
DrPH students are required to take four problem solving seminars. My favorite problem solving seminar was Promoting Equity for Adolescent and Emerging Adults. Dr. Tamar Mendelson invited guest speakers including several youth to share their stories. I was inspired by the research we discussed and how organizations were working with communities to address issues among opportunity youth. It was also great to hear classmates’ presentations on their interests in adolescents.
What were some of the deciding factors for choosing the Bloomberg School?
Many factors! I created a decision analysis and I reached out to students, faculty, and alumni to ask about their experience at Hopkins. It what helpful to compare their reasons to other schools I was deciding between. In addition to Hopkins community, the flexibility of the DrPH program, the diversity and amount of class options, the ability to work while I study, my advisor, and outcome of alumni were a few others.
If you’re a fully online student what have you enjoyed most about your experience?
I’m a first year, part-time student and so far, two things I’ve really enjoyed learning from my classmates all over the world and being able to apply what I learn in the classroom to my work. Our group chats are pretty active, and everyone is willing to help each other.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Each term and each class require a new routine. Take time before or just as the class starts to organize when you are going to study, write, research, etc. The plan may change and it’s very likely it will and that’s okay! Embrace flexibility and remember to take care of your whole self: sleep enough, eat well, move your body, and reach out to your support network at Hopkins and elsewhere. You got this! Cheering you on!