Founding members from left: Abhinav Shah, Sailaja Vemuri, and Kinjal Parikh

The group is part of the larger student community and comprises healthcare students from several countries who seek to help each other by providing communication and resources related to academic and social needs. The group provides a sense of community by helping international students acclimate to Boston and Suffolk University so that they can derive the greatest benefit from their time here. Members of the group engage in regular conversations with each other and healthcare faculty member about issues related to the Healthcare Programs and living in a different country and culture. In particular, the group engages in dialogue about how to make the Healthcare Programs as responsive as possible to international students’ needs, including learning outside the classroom and inside healthcare organizations.

Mission

Be a community and resource for international healthcare by bridging the gaps of diversity, thereby enabling the students to grow and evolve personally and professionally.

Vision

• The group is a continuous coordinating and supplementing source of information for former, current and future international students.
• The group is an integral part of the Healthcare Programs and the University at large.
• The group’s activities include students in departments throughout Suffolk University.

Group members touring the State House, from left: Nirva Parekh, Sailaja Vemuri, Margi Patel, Professor Rick Gregg, Karla Ortha, Kinjal Parikh, Shelby Rodrigues, Emanshi Gulati, and Adaena Gonzales (See news story on their tour.)

Goals

• Provide relevant information and help new healthcare students become oriented to the environment of Boston, Suffolk University, and the Healthcare Programs.
• Act as a bridge among students, professors, and alumni, fostering networking with current students and alumni wherever possible.
• Offer guidance to healthcare students about professional development and career opportunities in healthcare both during and after graduate school, including internships, directed individual study projects, administrative fellowships, and employment.
• Help students to understand how to write and take exams.