Hometown:

Bangkok, Thailand

Belle (she/her) joins the third class of international Scholars and is the first from Mater Dei School in Bangkok, Thailand. She has fond memories of IU and Bloomington from childhood, when her family lived on campus while her mother pursued doctoral coursework. Belle attributes her passion for studying international studies to this early exposure to many different cultures and perspectives. She will also work towards a minor in business, and she is eager to study languages like French, Spanish, and Chinese. In addition to academics, Belle can’t wait to make new memories and new friends, learn new things, and become part of the warm IU community! Her proudest achievement to date is writing and publishing a children’s book, Oliver’s No Good Day, to promote self-love and raise funds for local children’s foundations. Her three favorite books by other authors include The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne, and any Dan Brown novel about the character he created, Robert Langdon. Belle would like to thank her family, teachers, and friends for constantly encouraging her, and the WSP for providing this wonderful opportunity. She will hold the William & Martha Lea Armstrong scholarship and one of the Alice Adele Freese scholarships.