Purdue student Charlotte Yeung makes global impact as Boren Scholar

The Boren Scholarships are competitive awards that give undergraduate students the chance to study languages critical to U.S. national security and the culture of world regions often unavailable to the typical student who chooses to study abroad. After completing their degree, Boren Scholars serve the federal government for at least one year, which provides them with valuable work experience.

In recent years, Purdue has produced two remarkable Boren Scholars. One of these students is Charlotte Yeung, a political science student in the College of Liberal Arts and active humanitarian advocate.

Blending arts activism and policy development

Yeung’s mission revolves around mitigating the humanitarian and environmental effects of weaponry across the globe. By blending arts activism and policy development, Yeung aims to increase public awareness of the consequential nature of weapon use while also contributing to research that unmasks the effects of these weapons.

Yeung exploring while in Japan

Yeung, who also earned an honorable mention for the Udall Scholarship, decided to apply for the Boren Scholarship after being encouraged to apply by Lindsay Sheedy, assistant director of the National and International Scholarships Office (NISO).

“Lindsay is an incredible mentor,” Yeung shared. “I’ve learned a lot about writing applications from her as I probably apply to 20+ programs and scholarships per year; even if I don’t get the scholarship, the process itself gives me material for future applications and ideas about what I want to do with my life.”

Upon receiving the scholarship, Yeung decided to travel abroad to Japan to study as an exchange student at Waseda University in Tokyo.

The impact of Yeung’s year in Japan has been profound, shaping her academic and career aspirations. She says the experience deepened her understanding of collectivist cultures and alternative leadership models, particularly in the context of Japan’s approach to rebuilding after wars and disasters. These insights have enhanced her communication and leadership skills and sparked her interest in pursuing a Ph.D., possibly in community-based leadership focused on nuclear disarmament. Her interactions with fellow Boren Scholars, many of whom are on paths to becoming experts in specialized fields like Japan’s border disputes, further fueled her ambition to work within the federal government and continue her engagement with global issues.

Another significant experience was revisiting Hiroshima, Okunoshima, and Nagasaki, where her enhanced understanding of nuclear weapons provided a deeply humanizing perspective on the struggles of hibakusha, survivors of the atomic bombings. These visits solidified her commitment to work in the nuclear field.

One of the most unexpected yet impactful outcomes of Yeung’s time in Japan was the rekindling of her passion for novel writing. After years of struggling with writer's block, Yeung found herself inspired during her final week in Tokyo, where she began a novel that has since grown to 20,000 words. This creative breakthrough, which she attributes to her experiences and the new perspectives gained in Japan, may result in one of her most significant works as a writer. Yeung credits her time at Waseda University and the cultural immersion in Japan as the catalyst for this renewed creative energy.

Yeung’s other notable accomplishments include publishing an Amazon No. 1 New Release Children’s Book and becoming a National Youth Poet Laureate Finalist for her humanitarian-centered poetry. One of Yeung’s publications also was among a few artifacts selected to be sent to the moon.

Associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts Matthew Hannah recommended Yeung for the Boren Scholarship after she participated in his experimental “Diplomacy Lab” course.

“Charlotte’s accomplishments at such a young age are, quite frankly, astounding,” Hannah said. “She possesses an intellectual maturity, which is rare in undergraduates, and her wide range of interests and experiences is only matched by her hard work and dedication.”

Yeung was recently selected as the sole American United Nations (UN) Youth Disarmament Champion, empowering Yeung to continue exploring disarmament in communities across the world.

National and International Scholarships Office

The National and International Scholarships Office is housed in the John Martinson Honors College and works with students across campus to coordinate the process of applying for scholarships and grants that require a university nomination. Purdue students applying for prestigious awards such as the Boren Scholarship receive support and guidance through this office.

Yeung while studying abroad in Japan

In the past six years, more than 50% of the applicants working closely with NISO received the Boren Scholarship or Boren Fellowship.

“Having a passion gives so much meaning and joy to life that even if you end up more successful in a different field, it is worth it to just pursue something you love doing,” Yeung concluded. “Scholarship opportunities helped me pursue my passion, and I highly recommend attending NISO events and speaking with the scholarship office about relevant scholarships to any student.”

Andrea Mattingly

Director of Communication for Teaching and Learning, andrea@purdue.edu