This spring, the Jackson School connected with the recipients of our academic scholarships; through these conversations, we discovered their academic passions and learned how these scholarships will play a crucial role in helping them achieve their goals and drive innovation in international studies.
Isabelle Huelin
Name: Isabelle Huelin
Degree: B.A. in International Studies (Asia)
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2026
Hometown: Farmington, Connecticut
What was your reaction to receiving the Jonathan & Helen Louise Noyes Language Scholarship?
I was incredibly excited to receive the Noyes Language Scholarship. When I first read my name in the email I was so shocked, and my hands shook a bit from the excitement. The first thing I did after was call my parents to tell them the news.
How will this award help your goals and career path?
Academically, I will continue to study the development of East Asian nations from the post-WWII era to the present, with the goal of researching the development of post-colonial Korean political parties that laid the foundation for modern governments in North and South Korea. The Noyes Language Scholarship will help me continue my study of Korean, thereby allowing me to engage in more thorough research by exploring Korean language sources. Upon completion of my education, I plan to pursue employment in the Asian policy space, and with Korean language skills and a robust understanding of East Asia — developed with the help of this award — I will be better able to actively analyze the political, cultural, and economic environment. These skills will be invaluable in the policy space and allow me to stand out as a policy analyst.
What key skills have you learned at the Jackson School that you’ll apply to your career?
I have learned how to create questions. As a researcher, writer, and analyst, I have to know when, how, and which questions are most important for me to ask — which question will provide an answer to a current problem in the world, what questions haven’t been asked yet, what questions have been asked but not yet answered, etc. Learning how to ask questions is a skill that I have strengthened over my time at the Jackson School and one that I will need in my career to effectively tackle complex and ever-evolving policy issues.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for academic Jackson School scholarships?
Be honest, don’t be afraid to showcase your goals and interests no matter how broad or niche. It can be easy to try and tailor applications to what one thinks the review committee wants to hear, but you are most successful when you demonstrate your passion for whatever issue captivates you.
