Isabelle Cowan graduated Cum Laude from Barnard College of Columbia University in 2026 with a B.A. in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, concentrating in East Asia and the Korean peninsula. During her undergraduate years, her academic interests, including security and cross-cultural communication, led her to study East Asian philosophy, history, and politics in order to map how society and culture impact diplomatic relations.
In addition to her time at Barnard, Isabelle also studied abroad in South Korea for a total of eight months at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College and Korean Language Institute, which deepened her understanding and love of Korean culture and language. She has intermediate proficiency in Korean and elementary proficiency in Chinese. She has traveled extensively in Asia, including to the United Arab Emirates, China, South Korea, and Japan.
For her master’s, Isabelle is focused on the C5+1 diplomatic platform as well as the growing diplomatic relationship between East and post-Soviet Central Asia. Outside of academia, Isabelle enjoys visiting museums and spending time with her friends and family.
Concentration: Politics and Security
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Academic Background: B.A. in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, Columbia University