Helen Cecile Nowatka
L&C taught me how passionate people can be about their given field of study.
Degree and Class Year
Hometown
Current City
Major
Minor
Extracurriculars
Job Title, Organization
Continuing Studies
What three words would you use to describe L&C?
What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?
Touring the beautiful campus.
What have you been doing since graduation?
After graduating from L&C in 2022, I applied and began pursuing an MA at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service in Asian Studies. I am currently applying to PhD programs in international economics and hope to work in trade policy one day!
Lewis & Clark fostered my love for Asian studies as a field but also made me deeply aware of institutional and systemic imbalances. This has been and will continue to be invaluable for my perspective as I navigate a career related to my interests.
How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for your job?
Lewis & Clark allowed me to have a deep level of involvement in many opportunities, and I’m not sure I would have had the same access at a huge state school.
What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?
I learned how passionate people can be about their given field of study.
What was your favorite class? How did it expand your knowledge?
Japan at War with Associate Professor Andy Bernstein. This class is the reason I became an Asian studies major. It was so interesting and Andy’s knowledge and passion about the subject was truly inspiring. I’ll also say my East Asian Art course with Professor Dawn Odell. This class was demanding, but so worth it! Plus, Professor Odell organized a class trip to the local Chinese Gardens which was such a fun opportunity to admire different types of craftsmanship (and drink tea).
Where did you find your community on campus?
I found a community via the Lewis & Clark Climbing Team. I was able to develop life-long friendships with some members. We could train, study, and be silly geese together. Especially during Covid, I was incredibly lucky to have such a caring community to rely on.
Who was your mentor on campus? Why do you consider this person your mentor?
Assistant Professor Kabir Mansingh Heimsath was my major advisor and someone I looked to for support and guidance. His commitment to his students and their success is amazing and I always knew he would support my academic career.
What made you want to major in Asian studies? How did this decision impact your education at LC?
My first step into the Asian studies program was a course called Japan at War taught by Professor Andy Bernstein. This was a Japanese military history class. Professor Bernstein’s passion was infectious. At the time, I was a pre-med chemistry student. While I kept studying chemistry, I began to take more and more Asian studies courses. The faculty members like Professor Kabir Mansingh Heimsath and Jesse Starling had such engaging lectures and made me feel like the Asian studies program was where I could study a field that interested me while being surrounded by inspiring people.
Do you have any advice for future Asian studies students?
Don’t be afraid to weave together interests from different departments or push ideas outside of the syllabus. Your time in undergrad is for you to follow your own interests. This program is meant to work for you, not the other way around!
Name a resource on campus that was indispensable to your success.
My academic advisor was absolutely the reason I have been able to achieve my goals. Having someone that believed in me, could reign in my ideas, or voice my frustrations was truly amazing and I am forever grateful.
