HWS News
24 September 2025 • Alums Yonten '23 to Harvard Law School
Time spent working and studying abroad has inspired a future as an attorney.
Having been influenced while teaching English in Mongolia, India and Laos and studying abroad during his time at Hobart and William Smith, Tenzin Yonten ’23 is one step closer to his dream of becoming a global advocate as he studies for a juris doctorate at Harvard Law School.
An Asian studies, English and history triple major who graduated summa cum laude, Yonten has spent the past two years teaching. His time in Mongolia was funded by the Princeton in Asia Fellowship, an exclusive program that supports graduates of American colleges and universities to teach in an Asian country while they live in their community. Through the fellowship, he was able to be certified in teaching English as a foreign language.
“HWS was an essential part of my journey," says Yonten. "The resources, guidance and support that I got during my time at college have shaped my future endeavors. I am grateful to all the staff and professors who helped me work towards my goal, in particular, my main advisor, Professor of History Lisa Yoshikawa, for the lifelong mentorship.”
Yonten’s time at HWS spanned the globe. Throughout his four years at HWS, he studied in South Korea, conducted research in Japan, worked in an internship in Nepal and completed a leadership seminar in Germany and Poland.
He was awarded multiple honors, such as being accepted as a member of the Hobart Druids, Chimera and Orange Key honor societies. Yonten was also given departmental awards for each of his three majors including the Anderton Award for Global Engagement, the Marvin Bram Prize for Civic Mindedness in History and the White Essay Prize in English and Comparative Literature. He was on the organizing committee of Day of Service and a student representative at the Committee on Standards. As a sophomore and junior, Yonten served in the Hobart Student Government, leading as vice president in his last tenure. He was also the founder and president of the HWS Pre-Law Club and served as a house manager in Bampton House.
Yonten says he would not have made it to where he is now without the help of many people. As a way to give back, Yonten urges students who are curious about law school or what it's like being an international student to contact him via email or LinkedIn.
Top: Tenzin Yonten '23 poses on a sign for Harvard Law School.
