Samantha Farrell (MA Environmental Politics and Globalisation, 2011) lives in Trinidad and Tobago. Growing up in St Lucia and her native Trinidad, she studied a BA in Geography at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, USA, before coming to King’s for her master’s.

After graduation, Samantha returned to Trinidad, where she began her career at the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission before progressing to become a researcher at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. She told us, ‘I wanted a job in research and the embassy position was ideal. I definitely think that my MA at King’s boosted my CV and prepared me for this job.’

I wanted a job in research and the embassy position was ideal. I definitely think that my MA at King’s boosted my CV and prepared me for this job.

Samantha Farrell

Alongside her career, Samantha is also active in the global alumni community and is responsible for launching the Trinidad and Tobago alumni group. After a number of people expressed a desire to form an association that would make a contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s society, Samantha set about doing just that. She told us, ‘In March 2017, l jump-started the alumni chapter in Trinidad and Tobago with a Duel Day celebration.’ The occasion was a great success.

In May 2018, the committee ran its inaugural Global Day of Service (GDoS) event, where they organised a collection of essential items, including canned goods and feminine products, which were gifted to the Living Water Community, a local NGO. The following year, the group organised a similar drive and donated items to child centres set up by the Ministry for Migrants and Refugees.

Reflecting on the events, Samantha reminded us that GDoS showcases ‘the importance of giving back to our local communities, whilst being a global citizen’.