Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University (SLU) has expanded its global reach by including students from refugee camps in Kenya and Malawi. The initiative, which began in 2024, is part of a collaboration with Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL). Patricia Bass, Ph.D., the SLU-JWL program director, and Eboni Chism, Ph.D., the program coordinator, visited these students in May to understand their experiences firsthand.

One of the students, Dictor Olame from Sudan, shared his journey as a SLU student at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Olame described life in the camp as challenging due to issues like frequent muggings and limited access to resources. Despite these difficulties, he expressed hope upon learning about the SLU-JWL program after his high school graduation.

Olame's educational path began with 30 credits completed through Creighton University or Xavier Institute of Management in India. As full-time remote students at SLU, participants have access to various university resources and are on track to graduate with a B.A. in General Studies.

Olame said: “It took hard work for me to obtain the prerequisites for this program, but my resilience and determination were due to the fact that the opportunity matched my dream career in Cyber Security.” He is also involved in several initiatives within his community and aims to contribute further by engaging with SLU’s academic and social platforms.

He added: “I am more than just a refugee; I am also the founder of a small graphic design initiative... Despite being far away from campus, I would like to become further involved in SLU by inspiring others.”

Olame's first term at SLU has been transformative. He noted: “Since starting my courses at SLU this spring... I have felt heard and valued.” His future goals include working as a network administrator and using his skills for community development.

The cohort Olame belongs to is expected to graduate by summer 2027. The SLU-JWL program was recognized with a 2025 Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for Campus Internationalization by NAFSA: Association of International Education.