Having grown up between France, Rhode Island and Greenville, South Carolina, Sarah Kouyate learned early on to navigate different cultures and perspectives. That sparked her interest in global issues and led her to pursue majors in international studies and African American studies at the University of South Carolina. 

“I’ve always been passionate about human rights and international law, especially human trafficking. I wanted a major that explained these issues and delved into the causes behind them,” Kouyate said. 

While at USC, she gained access to study abroad, research and internship opportunities that allowed her to explore issues of equity more deeply and in practice. She researched medical education in Black communities, developed bias-reduction healthcare modules and evaluated culturally responsive care practices.  

Her experiences helped her see how systemic inequities shape health outcomes and how research can be used to address them. She strengthened her analytical and professional skills while clarifying her focus on public health and ethical decision making in care. 

After graduation, Kouyate will build on those experiences by pursuing a master’s degree in bioethics at Johns Hopkins University. She shared more about how her time in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences helped her prepare for her future in health.

When you began, did you have an idea of what your career would look like? Has that changed now that you’re about to graduate? 

When I first came to college, I had a very focused and narrow path for what I wanted to do and how I was going to do it. I always thought that I would only do research and events related to international affairs and politics, but as my time at USC went on, I became more and more drawn to public health. This interest was solidified through a public health internship the summer before my senior year where my role was to determine whether providers were adequately educating their patients about healthcare options. The path I planned for myself as a freshman has deviated greatly, but it was the right choice for me. 

What’s the biggest challenge you faced in college, and how did you overcome it? 

The biggest challenge I faced was understanding my limits and abilities. I had a hard time realizing what I could reasonably accomplish, and I often overstretched myself and overcommitted. I had to learn to focus on a few things and give my best effort to each of them. I realized that it was better to be involved in a few activities and do them well than to overextend myself and harm my mental health and well-being. 

In what ways did internships, study abroad, research, or other activities outside of the classroom help you meet your academic or personal goals? 

I participated in a study abroad Maymester in Scotland right after my freshman year. The trip expanded my worldview and gave me a chance to experience a part of the world I hadn’t thought much about. It also gave me friendships and connections with students across campus that I wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. 

I worked on three research projects during my undergraduate experience, and each one helped narrow down my interests and passions. I had an internship the summer after my freshman year with Prisma Health, which exposed me to the field in which I am pursuing my master’s degree. I learned many lessons and built meaningful friendships through these programs that have continued to influence me to this day. My most recent internship with the Minnesota Department of Public Health combined all of my interests and helped develop me into a student who is ready for graduate school and the workforce. 

What connections do you see between your major and what you’ll be doing next? 

My interdisciplinary background in international studies and African American studies has prepared me to understand the foundations of a career in global health. My degree provided me with critical thinking and writing skills, as well as the ability to process and synthesize information for future use. 

What are you most looking forward to after graduation? 

I am most excited about traveling and entering the workforce. I want to learn who I am outside of school by continuing to educate myself and explore my different passions.