London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Educational/professional background

Hello, I'm Arisma Arora, a third-year medical student from King's College London currently intercalating in the MSc Public Health program at LSHTM, specializing in the Health Economics stream. Born and raised in Dubai, UAE, with an Indian nationality, I've been a London resident for the past three years! 

Research interests or career goals

My passion for public health grew during the pandemic and clinical placements where I encountered stark differences between patient outcomes because of structural factors, often not addressed in traditional clinical medicine. In the long term, I aim to blend my clinical practice with public health research and advocacy, focusing on social determinants of health and health economics.

Why I chose LSHTM/my programme

I picked LSHTM for its global reputation and renowned faculty - which would be (and is!) giving me an opportunity to build a network. Along with this, I’m very impressed by LSHTM’s commitment to decolonizing the curriculum. The School's diversity and vibrant student community, especially with international students, makes it so easy to fit in. Despite my initial apprehensions as an intercalating student, I've found the experience of pursuing this Master's enriching, learning from my peers with diverse practical backgrounds. 

Any extra information

My advice to prospective students is to keep an open mind, explore the wide range of classes, and step out of your comfort zone. LSHTM offers a wealth of opportunities to grow and contribute to. I look forward to connecting with prospective students on this exciting journey!