Biography
Posted by Samantha Foster on August 26th, 2010
I am a fourth year student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, majoring in Political Science and Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa. I come from a small town in Ontario and have come to Ottawa to pursue my interests in international relations, women’s issues – both domestic and international – and social justice. I enjoy travel and getting to know new cultures and people, spending time with family and friends, and reading some good fiction in my spare time.
My studies have offered me plenty of research opportunities to discover political, philosophical and religious aspects of the developing world, cementing my interest in Asia. Students Without Borders provides an excellent opportunity for me to really experience my studies first hand – bringing the theoretical and the practical together. My placement in Vietnam, as a Gender Assistant at Tra Vinh University, will involve supporting the Gender and Community Department in a number of activities: conducting research on education outcomes and the labour market in order to address the gender and ethnicity gap; developing partnerships with employers; coordinating an English Club for Khmer students; and ongoing research and professional development activities addressing gender and ethnicity, education access, quality and outcomes.
I hope to influence real change by developing research products that could impact policy decisions at the University. My past work experience on access to education has proven that change takes some time to manifest itself, but if I can be part of the process I will feel like my placement has been a success. As my departure date comes closer and closer, the reality of three months in Vietnam is starting to sink in. I expect to be challenged in my work, but also on a personal level – language and cultural barriers, getting around, and more will all test my ability to adapt. I hope I can take this experience and grow from it, as an academic and as a person. My first task in the field is yet to be determined, but whatever it is I am ready to take it on!
