Samantha Wang

Student, Georgetown University
  • People
  • United States of America

About Samantha Wang

Hello everyone. My name is Samantha and I am a rising sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. I plan to major in International Politics and pursue a minor in Cognitive Science. I am originally from Connecticut. In my free time, I enjoy reading realistic fiction novels and going on walks.

My faculty mentored research project this summer is titled African American Resiliency in the British Caribbean and I will be researching under Professor Anita Gonzalez of the American American Studies Department at Georgetown. The project focuses on Cat Island, one of the out islands in The Bahamas, which many consider to be the first landing site of Christopher Columbus. The project looks to explore the culture of Cat Island by mapping the island’s foodways, music traditions, and histories. Research methods include conducting oral interviews with local residents of Cat Island and participating in cultural practices. Ultimately, the project seeks to examine how Bahamian culture reflects the resiliency of Black populations that have survived forced migration and enslavement in the Caribbean.

I am personally interested in cultural transmission, focusing on how cultural practices change and what factors shape these traditions as they are passed down through generations. In The Bahamas, urbanization and the growth of the modern tourism industry threaten the continuation of traditional cultural practices that have developed on the islands throughout hundreds of years. Through the research project this summer, I hope to record and preserve knowledge of Cat Island’s cultural traditions while making the information accessible to a broader audience. Furthermore, with this opportunity I hope to develop my skills in cross-cultural understanding and cultural analysis.

In my first experience conducting research, I am honored for the opportunity to work with and learn from Professor Gonzalez and the other members of the research team. I am also excited to engage with my fellow Laidlaw Scholars both at Georgetown and other universities. Please feel free to reach out if you have any shared interests.

I am a/an:

Undergraduate Leadership & Research Scholar

University

Georgetown University

Laidlaw Cohort Year

2024

Research Topic

Ethnic & Racial Studies Regional & Area Studies Society & Culture

Area of Expertise

Social Sciences

I am from:

United States of America

I speak:

English Mandarin Spanish

My hobbies/interests are:

Art Cooking/Baking Hiking/walking Music Reading Travelling

I am open to participating in mentoring/buddy programmes

Yes

Influencer Of

Topics

Rooms participated in:

Georgetown University