Zoe Van Zelm (SOH ‘29) is in the School of Health studying global health and is a Georgetown Storyteller.
The School of Health (SOH) is the best part of Georgetown (though, being a global health major, I admit I’m biased). I’ve always dreamed of working in public health and international development, creating health care programs that are efficient and sustainable. Being in the School of Health has transformed my vision into an achievable goal. But aside from its extensive resources and specialized programs, what is most special about the School of Health is the community.
What I first appreciate about the School of Health community is its small size. As a freshman, the transition from a familiar high school to Georgetown’s bustling college campus can feel intimidating. So when my entire cohort fit in one room on the first day of orientation, my worries of being an anonymous face in a 300-person lecture hall faded away. I could see myself building genuine connections with my peers, and I was right.
Within a few weeks, I felt connected to the peers in my 30-person global health class. Though the roster was a similar size to my high school classes, the class had a completely different feel because I was surrounded by a community that shared both my love for Georgetown and aspirations to improve human health and well-being. It was a totally different experience compared to high school where each person has vastly different aspirations. This global health class is where I discovered how empowering it is to work in a community with a common goal. Being a part of a tight-knit community with shared values has made the SOH feel like a place where I truly belong.
Another aspect I love about the SOH community is its diversity. My classmates’ backgrounds span continents, lived experiences and cultures. In the SOH, I learn just as much from my classmates’ perspectives as I do from lectures. Sitting at desks, waiting for class to start, I get to learn about my classmates’ hospital volunteer work, study habits for the human biology course and reasons for going into healthcare. These casual conversations have helped me refine my study techniques, discover internship opportunities and understand unique perspectives in healthcare.
This diversity is also reflected in long-term goals. I love hearing about my friends’ hopes to shape health policy, become doctors or work with nonprofits. Being a part of a motivated, dynamic community inspires me to broaden my perspective and pursue my own goals with passion. When I see peers pursuing research positions, volunteering and managing a full course load all at the same time, it encourages me to be ambitious in my own activities.
The SOH also has a peer mentorship program where two to three freshmen are paired with upperclassmen. Throughout freshman year, peer mentor groups share meals together and do fun activities to help ease freshmen into college life. The upperclassman in the group often shares resources about internships, guest speakers coming to campus and course registration information.
I deeply value the peer mentorship program because it is an opportunity for freshmen to learn from upperclassmen about internships, study abroad, clubs and courses. My own peer mentor has been central to my time so far at Georgetown. Anytime I have questions about Georgetown or need advice, I reach out to him. My group also does fun activities together, like going out to dinner and playing pickleball. It’s comforting to know that I have the guidance of an experienced student who wants me to succeed and a friend group to spend time with outside of class.
An essential part of the SOH community is its professors. In my Georgetown application, I wrote about my admiration for Professor Jessica Kritz and her innovative research. To my surprise, when I got to Georgetown, she was assigned as my faculty advisor. It felt like meeting a celebrity. When I met with Professor Kritz over lunch during my first month at Georgetown, we talked about everything, ranging from my own Georgetown experience to her work in global health. What was once a name on my application is now an individual who knows my aspirations, personal experiences and sandwich order. This experience showed me how deeply the SOH professors care for their students. The SOH faculty advisors help guide students throughout their time at Georgetown, meeting with them at least once a semester to stay updated on students’ academic and personal lives. They’re accessible, active mentors who take a real interest in their students.
There are seemingly endless opportunities to connect with the SOH professors, and an important one for me is the Global Health program’s weekly bagel brunch. Different professors host the brunch each week, and any student can attend, eat bagels and talk with professors.
As a freshman who was unsure of how to connect with professors, this opportunity eased my hesitation around office hours and helped me to engage in genuine conversations with professors outside of class. The accomplished, friendly SOH professors make the community feel welcoming and supportive, where I’m encouraged to ask questions and grow both academically and personally.
Ultimately, for me, it’s the people who make the School of Health truly special. I’m grateful for my unique peers, supportive mentors and friendly professors who make the School of Health my favorite community on campus.
