January 2021
Faith Williams
BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); minors, Anthropology and French and Francophone Studies ‘22
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Affiliations: Kappa Omega Alpha Pre-Law and Public Policy Professional Fraternity (Recruitment Chair), Public Service Internship Program, Undocumented Migration Project (Social Media Coordinator), New Movement Dance Club
“Last summer, I interned with the Penn Cultural Heritage Center as part of the Penn Museum Summer Internship Program. I created a literature review on different types of illicit trafficking which furthered my interest in my International Studies sub-plan in International Security, Norms and Cooperation as I learned more about the complex nature of clandestine networks around the world. In my project, I looked at five resources: antiquities, drugs, diamonds, oil, and wildlife; and general aspects of trafficking: affect on political economy, organized crime, resource curse, who participates, etc. I learned how to do in-depth research and analyze where knowledge gaps are in the field as they relate to the causes of trafficking. This experience has prompted me to look more at the background of international security issues to understand how they arise and to utilize my course plan to focus more on historically unstable areas that may have greater problems with security and defense.”
Future plans: “I want to work abroad in international security focusing on political terror, peace building, and human rights violations - I'm just not sure where yet! I hope to use my studies to focus on the effects of foreign policy and government action on cultural heritage and identity in transition states.”
