A Sense of Belonging
Name: Isabella Castro
Home Country: United States of America
Degree: Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)
Scholarship: Public Service Fellow
How Isabella Castro Found Her Home at SAIS
Before joining the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), what were you doing?
Before SAIS, I had recently graduated from UCLA and was volunteering in part-time roles with nonprofits in California, including the San Diego Diplomacy Council and the League of United Latin American Citizens. Service has always been meaningful to me, and these experiences gave me my first exposure to political engagement and diplomacy. They ultimately helped me realize that I wanted to pursue a career in international affairs and that SAIS was the right next step to develop the policy and analytical skills needed to do that work.
From my first tour of SAIS, I was struck by the sense of community and support that can sometimes be hard to find in competitive academic environments.
What led you to Johns Hopkins SAIS?
Moving across the country from California, I was looking for a community of peers I could rely on both during my time at SAIS and into the workforce after graduation. From my first tour of SAIS, I was struck by the sense of community and support that can sometimes be hard to find in competitive academic environments. During that visit, before I committed to the program, I was welcomed at a student happy hour. The warmth with which students treated one another immediately created a sense of belonging. I also felt drawn to SAIS because many professors bring decades of real-world experience in national security and foreign policy. Coming from an undergraduate program where most faculty were primarily academics, I was excited by the opportunity to learn directly from practitioners who had worked in the kinds of rooms where major policy decisions are made.
What has been your favorite experience at SAIS and why?
I still remember how excited I felt during my first week at SAIS at the Strategic Studies information session, where professors and student leaders talked about all the events to look forward to throughout the year. That was where I first learned about the NATO Allied Command Transformation trek. I was thrilled simply by the opportunity to apply to a visit of that caliber so early in my time at SAIS, but I never imagined I would actually get the chance to participate. Not only did I end up going on the trek during my first year, but the following year, I was the student coordinating the visit and presenting the opportunity to incoming SAIS students.
Leading the NATO visit gave me the opportunity to exercise leadership skills in national security spaces before even entering the workforce. As someone aspiring to a career in diplomacy, I also learned more about NATO’s political importance beyond its defense capabilities. That experience stands out to me not only because the visit itself was inspiring, but because it became emblematic of my personal and professional growth during my time at SAIS.
Where do you see yourself 5-10 years after graduation?
I see myself working at the U.S. State Department in a bureau within the Office of Arms Control and International Security. My time at SAIS and my professional experiences in Washington have taught me that the path to that role may not be perfectly linear and may involve spending more time on Capitol Hill or even in the private sector. However, I’m excited by the opportunity to explore the interconnectedness of the national security space in Washington and remain open to reaching my goals by following a somewhat unconventional path.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the process of choosing graduate schools?
I would say listen to your intuition, because often the feeling that you belong somewhere comes long before you can fully articulate it. The reason my experience at SAIS has been so memorable is that I felt comfortable enough to be curious, whether that meant getting the most out of my classes, building friendships through spontaneous conversations with classmates across the atrium, or getting involved in student-led programming. I would encourage students to choose a program where they feel supported in becoming the best version of themselves.
Whose support has made your journey at SAIS possible and why?
My experience at SAIS would not have been possible without the generosity of SAIS alumni and the donor community. The Public Service Fellowship made attending SAIS financially attainable for me, and the Robert J. Hildreth Fund allowed me to build professional skills through a summer internship at the Pan American Health Organization.
I’m also incredibly grateful for the mentorship and support from the Merrill Center alumni community, faculty, and staff. Opportunities such as the Quantico Leadership Venture and the International Staff Rides brought the concepts we were learning in the classroom to life by exposing us to the environments where national security decisions actually take place. Being able to step into the perspective of the leaders who make these decisions helped me better understand the complexities behind them.
If you are looking to learn more about what it's like to be a current student at Johns Hopkins SAIS, we encourage you to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Admissions Fellows.
Enjoyed reading Isabella's experience? Learn more about our Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR).
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