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When Sarah Bell ’25 received her acceptance letter to è����˶���Ƶ College, it wasn’t just the academic offerings that convinced her to say yes — it was a letter from an alum. That letter confirmed she would not only be joining a campus but also a place committed to community and connection.

“Casey Matthew ’01 wrote to me when I got accepted. We went to the same high school, and she’s also a Black woman,” Bell said. “She welcomed me to campus. That really stood out to me. It gave me a sense of sisterhood and comfort. I didn’t get that kind of welcome from other schools. It showed me the kind of support I could expect if I chose è����˶���Ƶ.”

Now a senior majoring in international relations and minoring in entrepreneurship, organizations and society, Bell is the first in her family to graduate from an American-accredited university. Her time at è����˶���Ƶ has been defined by exploration, growth and a commitment to uplifting voices like her own.

“I specifically looked for an international relations program when I was applying to colleges,” she said. “I’ve always been a history buff. My high school history teacher, Ms. Mathis, really opened my eyes. I realized how much more there was to learn beyond the basics of Indigenous cultures in America or the Atlantic slave trade.”

Bell’s early passion for history merged with a lifelong love for language. She grew up in a multicultural French-speaking home. Her mother immigrated to New York City from Cameroon before she was born, and she’s always had close relatives spread across the globe.

In the spring of 2024, Bell took that curiosity abroad, studying in São Paulo, Brazil, through the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives. Her studies focused on social justice and inequality. Originally, she thought she might choose to study abroad in France as an opportunity to connect with her family’s roots, but she pivoted to Brazil after hearing about a friend's experience in the program.

When Bell applied to study in Brazil, she didn’t know any Portuguese, nor was she very familiar with the culture or what to expect. With her mother’s encouragement, she accepted the challenge.

“I wanted to live in a country where English wasn’t the main language,” she explained, “somewhere I wouldn’t easily get the chance to stay long-term. So, Brazil just made sense.”

While studying abroad, she took courses on topics such as U.S.–Brazil relations, economic development and social justice in the twenty-first century. She also spent a week in Salvador, Bahia, where she joined an immersive seminar that included exploring the city, visiting a quilombo — a community originally founded by escaped enslaved Africans — and taking part in a capoeira workshop — a dynamic art form that blends martial arts and dance.

Bell is still taking Portuguese classes at Smith College through the and hopes to become a polyglot one day by learning how to communicate in five or more languages. Currently, she’s proficient in English, French and Portuguese, and she is teaching herself Spanish in her free time.

Her love of multiculturalism and languages carried over into her senior capstone — a project on female immigrant entrepreneurs in France. Her project highlights the stories of women from immigrant backgrounds or those who immigrated to France later in life and their contributions to the cultural economy. She interviewed 10 entrepreneurs across the country about what they learned, how they grew their business and how their backgrounds influenced them to do what they do today.

“There’s a silence around race in France — a lack of acknowledgment,” Bell said. “I want to showcase underrepresented entrepreneurs and connect that history of migration to today’s economic impact.”

On campus, Bell has made her mark through leadership and service. She served as co-chair and Black History Month coordinator for the Association of Pan-African Unity, wrote for the global section of the è����˶���Ƶ News and participated in Model UN.

She also worked as a program assistant in the study abroad office, helping students navigate their own international journeys. As a peer mentor for the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives, she’s helped students with their applications, essays, program choices and course selection. She says it’s been one of the most meaningful roles she’s had on campus.

“I've longed to study and live abroad since I was little,” she said. “Now, having [had] that experience, I am so grateful to help students navigate and prepare for such a beautiful journey.”

Reflecting on her time at è����˶���Ƶ, Bell sees a clear transformation. When she started, she was shy. She believes the gender-diverse environment is what helped her come out of her shell.

“Coming from a co-ed private school, I didn’t always feel heard. Being in a space that intentionally centers [around] women, trans identities and nonbinary people allowed me to speak up and not be afraid,” she said. “This place gives you exposure to different people, perspectives and even parts of yourself.”