US Fulbright scholar finds passion for football and culture in Jamaica

Caitlyn Sams, a 23-year-old American scholar, arrived in Jamaica last year for research under the United States Fulbright program. While pursuing her interest in oncology, inspired by family battles with cancer, she unexpectedly rediscovered her love for football and gained a deep appreciation for Jamaican culture.

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It started with a personal encounter with cancer through family members and friends. I fell in love with cancer research and oncology, but it’s really just a field where I think there’s so much that we can do to improve the lives of others, and so I think it’s a field that I would love to dedicate my life to.

Sams' research project, "Alternative Medicine in Oncology: Safety of Psilocybin and Cancer Therapy Co-Medication," investigated the integration of herbal and traditional medicine into conventional cancer care. She surveyed oncologists in Jamaica to understand their perspectives on patients' use of alternative remedies. "I found people in Jamaica are very resourceful," Sams said. "If there's something that's ailing them, most people nowadays will resort to going to the clinic or the hospital, but almost everyone knows of or is participating in some sort of herbal medicine or alternative medicine because it’s what their parents taught them, what their grandparents taught them, or what they’ve seen friends do."

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I was trying to understand perceptions around herbal medicine use and also frequency of use. I also did a survey with oncologists in Jamaica trying to understand their perspective because there’s been a lot of research on patient perspective and how it’s used with different patient populations, but there isn’t much information about the physician side of things.

Her experience reinforced the importance of understanding patients' cultural practices, a lesson she plans to carry into medical school in New York. "I am looking forward to continuing my education in a field that I’m really passionate about, and also the school that I’m going to will allow me to continue to participate in global health and research and all these things that the Fulbright instilled in me," she said.

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I found people in Jamaica are very resourceful. If there’s something that’s ailing them, most people nowadays will resort to going to the clinic or the hospital, but almost everyone knows of or is participating in some sort of herbal medicine or alternative medicine because it’s what their parents taught them, what their grandparents taught them, or what they’ve seen friends do.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Sams immersed herself in campus life at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. She rejoined the UWI women's football team, rekindling a passion she had set aside after high school. "I’ve been playing football for about nine years, but I stopped after high school, and so I was able to pick it back up again after a little hiatus," Sams shared, crediting her team for helping her adjust to life in Jamaica.

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I am looking forward to continuing my education in a field that I’m really passionate about, and also the school that I’m going to will allow me to continue to participate in global health and research and all these things that the Fulbright instilled in me.