Identities

Abstaining from alcohol is a choice that often reflects personal, cultural, or religious beliefs. While alcohol is common in many social settings, there are usually plenty of available alternatives. Personally, it has not been challenging for me to uphold my values while still engaging with my peers. Communicating to those around you of your decision can foster understanding and respect for your choice. If unsure about the availability of other options, you can always bring your own drink to events!

M1 year has been the first time I’ve navigated going to school with a disability, and while applying to medical school, I felt a lot of apprehension and uncertainty about what my educational experience would look like. However, after my acceptance to WashU Med, Dr. Matthew Sullivan from Disability Resources and several faculty members personally met with me and provided lots of invaluable insight about the curriculum that alleviated a lot of my uncertainty. After coming to campus, faculty, staff, and my fellow classmates have gone out of their way to foster a welcoming and accessible environment. Prior to any clinical experiences that are particularly hands-on or in the hospital, I have connected with faculty leads, and they almost always schedule additional time to troubleshoot accommodations or even just navigate physical spaces to identify barriers to accessibility. While it has taken a little extra legwork ahead of time to navigate medical school with a disability, I’ve been met with so much support during my time at WashU Med!

Don’t worry — all is not lost as an Asian living in St. Louis! Having gone to high school in California and college in Chicago, I had very low expectations of St. Louis and the Asian communities I would encounter here. That said, I love it here!

The Asian food scene is great, ranging from authentic Sichuan cuisine to steamy soup dumplings. My favorite currently is Corner 17, with its well-rounded East Asian fusion dishes and delicious hand-pulled noodles, but I’m also a fan of the home-cooked Chinese dishes of Vegas Wok and more upscale Vietnamese food at Saigon Cafe. Moreover, there are comprehensive Asian groceries like United Provisions and Olive Supermarket where you can shop for your favorite Asian snacks or find ingredients to make your favorite home-cooked meal. To my surprise, Weee! also operates in St. Louis, so you can get your Asian groceries delivered right to your front door!

In terms of the community, there is a large Asian population living near the Loop, which is also where lots of Asian restaurants are located! That said, most of the Asian communities in St. Louis are associated with WashU, so it can be difficult to find Asian communities outside of the academic circle. Nevertheless, this just means more opportunities to bond and connect with other Asian students in your cohort and find your community within the people of your class!

– Danyi W., M1

Growing up Chinese American, I wanted to still be able to celebrate my culture and connect with my Asian community in medical school. Among the different graduate programs at WashU and WashU Med, there are many opportunities to celebrate Asian culture. For example, the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association recently had a mixer with the law school students to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Asian foods, music, and decorations.

Asian foods are pretty easy to find around the area too. If you are looking for groceries, Olive Supermarket is about a 15-20 minute drive from campus and has almost everything you might need if you are looking to cook an Asian meal. There is also a wide variety of Asian restaurants around Delmar Loop and Central West End which are often go-to spots after an exam.

– Mark L., M1

I grew up in the Midwest, in cities with strong, vibrant Black communities, so it was really important for me to attend medical school where I’d be able to consistently interact with and enjoy Black spaces and experiences. It was what I was looking for and had found during WashU Med’s Second Look Weekend. The Black community within WashU Med is a welcoming, supportive group with a variety of interests and perspectives. St. Louis itself is very diverse, full of every major aspect of Black culture. There is a lot of joy to be found here. I was also drawn to the great deal of care the Gateway Curriculum has for our local community, which has an abundance of Black people. You’ll learn the history behind the socio-economic disparities affecting Black St. Louisans and how physicians can work to address its impact on health. There is a need for more of us in medicine to make healthier Black communities, as there is power in education and shared identities and experiences. I appreciate how many other students and faculty here share these values and how many tools exist for students to become empowered and involved early on in our education.

As a queer South Asian who came out in college, finding a safe and affirming environment was a priority for me when choosing a medical school. While I was initially hesitant about moving to St. Louis, I’ve honestly been so pleasantly surprised by how welcome I’ve felt on campus and in the city. Being involved in LGBTQmed has allowed me and fellow students to foster a queer community amongst medical students and integrate LGBTQIA+ health education and advocacy through lunch talks, book clubs, service events (i.e. hosting a booth at Tower Grove Pride), and HEJ sessions. OUTmed, the umbrella organization of queer trainees, faculty, and staff at WashU Med, also has structured mentorship opportunities and events which have been a fantastic resource. One of the deans also had a networking dinner at his house and we got to connect with queer students, faculty, and providers across different programs over tasty foods and drinks!

Outside of campus, St. Louis has a vibrant queer culture and community, including queer-friendly nightlife in The Grove like Rehab and Just Johns, bookstores like Left Bank, and organizations like Metro Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG), Proud Art, and the St. Louis LGBT History Project. They also recently opened the Gateway to Pride Exhibit at the Missouri History Museum!

Like many other places, WashU Med is by no means perfect, but many members of its student body, faculty, and staff are committed to holding the institution accountable and helping it grow in its capacity to support the LGBTQIA+ community at large. I can sincerely say that regardless of the identity you hold or where you are in your coming out journey, we will welcome your authentic self with open arms here. 🙂

Before moving to St. Louis, I had heard that the representation of Middle Eastern communities in the area might be limited. However, after spending several months here, I have discovered some cultural presence. I have enjoyed a rich array of flavors and ingredients that remind me of home at Taste of Persia and Pan-Asia Supermarket. While the community might be small, the people you do meet will be super kind and friendly.

Being South Asian at WashU Med is amazing, and it’s so easy to find a sense of community and connection with my peers. We recently had a student-led Diwali celebration filled with food, music, dance, and more — it was such a lively and vibrant event! Around campus, there are plenty of great Indian and South Asian spots like Taco Twist, Rasoi, and Turmeric, making it easy to enjoy familiar flavors and cuisines.

Beyond that, this sense of community extends across classes, especially since many of us have South Asian “Bigs.” There’s always something exciting happening, from Bollywood nights to attending cultural events around St. Louis, like temple Diwali celebrations, WashU’s undergraduate South Asian showcase, or Saint Louis University Garba. No matter who you are or what you enjoy, you’ll find a welcoming and diverse community of South Asian people here who are always ready to make you feel at home.