La Salle University (USA)

Based in Philadelphia, La Salle University is named for St. Jean-Baptiste de La Salle, founder of the Roman Catholic Brothers of the Christian Schools of which this university is an affiliate. For both its historical and cultural connections, as well as a raft of higher learning institutions, Philadelphia can be considered one of the best cities to study at in the United States.

The three schools of La Salle are Arts & Sciences, Business, and Nursing & Health Sciences. One of the most highly regarded courses at La Salle is the undergraduate in Political Sciences, which incorporates Philadelphia’s place as a political centre through the university’s City as Classroom Initiative. Member of the faculty Mary Balchunis served as a Democratic nominee for Congress in 2014 and 2016.

The University Art Museum is based in the basement of Olney Hall. Within are extensive collections in European and American art from the Renaissance era onwards, and smaller collections including illustrated Bibles, Japanese prints, and Indian miniature figurines.

There are over a hundred student organisations at La Salle and 25 NCAA Division I sports. Varsity teams play in the university colours of blue and gold, competing under the Explorers name.

Service trips organised through La Salle are social justice and community programmes at locations within the United States and abroad. As part of this students can experience Native American culture in Blackfeet, Montana, or take part in Project Mapendo, a three week summer programme in Nyeri, Kenya.

Since its founding in 1863 La Salle has had many students go on to esteemed careers, such as Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney, author Matthew Quick, actor Peter Boyle, and soccer player Courtney Niemiec.

The university motto translates as ‘Virtue, Knowledge’.