Originally from Panajachel, Guatemala she was exposed to a melting pot of cultures and people. This immersive background guided her into her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. While studying her bachelor’s, she worked as an English teacher for kids, teens, and adults learning English as a foreign language, which eventually led her to her role as a Program Coordinator overseeing the Adults Program. She also held a college counseling position for Guatemalan youth and young adults wanting to study their undergraduate degrees abroad, where she provided test preparation, mentorship opportunities, language preparation and more. Samantha was also actively involved in community organization and student councils in her university, where she participated and invited fellow students to civic engagement and activism on topics such as gender disparities, LGBTQ+ rights, and indigenous movements.