ISM Juniors Attend Prestigious Summer Programs at Harvard and Yale
This summer ISM boarding students Minjun and Yewon Jang (‘26) spread their wings across the United States to attend two different prestigious summer programs - one at Harvard University and the other at Yale University.
Minjun was accepted into Harvard’s Pre-College Summer School program, which is attended by academically motivated high school students from around the world. Students participate in an intensive 2-week college-level course on campus and get a glimpse of what college is like.
Minjun enrolled in a math and social justice course, hoping to integrate her debate and Model UN background and passion for STEM subjects while there. She brought Model UN back to ISM during her 9th grade and became an active member of the debate club and math team.
When reflecting upon her experience Minjun shared, “Under the guidance of Professor Matthew Cavallo, I explored the intersections of mathematical theory and societal issues, delving into topics like inequality, resource distribution, and policy analysis through a quantitative lens. This course not only enhanced my mathematical skills but also deepened my understanding of how math can be a powerful tool in advocating for social justice. The experience was both academically fulfilling and personally transformative, leaving me with new perspectives on the role of mathematics in building a more equitable world,” says Minjun.
Minjun hopes to major in political science/international relations and biology in college, eventually becoming a practicing veterinarian while advocating for animal welfare in different countries.
While Minjun attended Harvard’s Pre-College Summer Program, her twin sister, Yewon, attended the Yale Young Global Scholars summer program. This academic enrichment program is tailored for outstanding high school students from around the world who participate in a two-week session at Yale University.
“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected to attend Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) this summer, one of the most prestigious and competitive academic summer programs in the world. This year's application process was especially competitive, with over 10,000 applicants from across the globe. Being chosen for such a highly selective program is an honor, and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate,” says Yewon.
Yewon enrolled in the Literature, Philosophy, & Culture (LPC) track, learning more about how culture shapes human dialogues while enriching her comparative analysis skills by dissecting pieces of literature. Students study a variety of creative arts from fiction and philosophy to theater, music, and film.
“During my two weeks in the Literature, Philosophy, and Culture track, I had the opportunity to engage in intellectually stimulating lectures, seminars, and discussions that expanded my way of thinking. Two of my favorite topics were the Trolley Problem, which challenged me to consider ethical dilemmas, and Honesty & Discretion, which sparked thought-provoking discussions on moral decision-making. YYGS also lit my passion for film through the creative and motivating capstone projects shared by my peers,” says Yewon.
As a Deputy Head of Academics in SLO, Yewon has always been aware of the diverse sets of cultures present in her daily life and was interested in learning more about how a deeper understanding of different cultures can foster open conversations about the differences that make humans great.
Yewon shares, “Beyond academics, I built lasting connections and precious memories with brilliant students from diverse backgrounds, including my amazing suitemates that I still remain in touch with today.”
Reflecting on her time at Yale Yewon adds, “This experience was one of the most unforgettable summers I had as it deeply inspired me. Today, I am determined to collaborate with others, pursue impactful initiatives, and carry forward the lessons I learned at YYGS into my future.”
She hopes to major in psychology and sociology in college and then obtain her master's in public policy to actively advocate for young migrants in the country.
The Jang sisters, hailing from Seoul, South Korea, have already applied their passion to the ISM community by launching "Soot" (meaning fresh energy in Korean), an impact startup that aims to increase access to youth healthcare. Soot has already launched a free menstrual product station this school year and plans to initiate other projects at ISM. Their passion has been largely shaped by their international background as well as the diverse community they have built at ISM. They hope to apply their experiences at Harvard and Yale this summer to their startup to positively impact the ISM community.
