Sara Landry’s Reflection on TANIP 2025 Experience

My name is Sara Landry. I am a rising sophomore at Georgetown University studying government and environmental science. Last year, around this time, I had moved from Thailand to the United States. I had spent nearly a decade living in Bangkok, attending an international school. Moving back was a whirlwind of change, moving from the city to Williamsburg, Virginia. I found myself missing not only the food, my family, and the language but also the deep-rooted sense of community that Thai culture instills in everyday life. At William and Mary, I searched for that same connection but quickly realized that the Thai community wasn’t as prominent or central to campus life as it had been back home. I missed speaking Thai. I missed being surrounded by people who understood the nuances of Thai culture. 

But this summer, through the TANIP Fellowship, I found the space I had been longing for all year. A space where I could not only represent and reconnect with my Thai identity but also rekindle and warm up my Thai speaking skills. This program has truly reminded me of how valuable our bilingual and bicultural identities truly are. 

Before interning at the Royal Thai Embassy, I had the opportunity to serve as a fellow in Congressman Joe Wilson’s office. Congressman Wilson, who serves as Chair of the U.S.–Thai Congressional Caucus, was incredibly welcoming and supportive of international perspectives. Over the course of the summer, our intern team included around 17 students from across the world. Countries like Ukraine, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Spain were represented in our office. We

were not only encouraged to share our diverse backgrounds, but we were also encouraged to engage in discussions on how global events were shaping our respective regions. We had the opportunity to contribute to meetings with the visiting ambassadors, the Korean Business Council, and various other international and domestic organizations. Being the only Thai American intern in that office allowed me to offer a unique lens on U.S.–Thai relations and support discussions on Southeast Asia. This experience also reminded me how important representation is and how important diversity is in Congress, as it helps build connections and awareness for underrepresented issues. 

That brings me to the research aspect of both internships. During my placement in Congressman Wilson’s office, I had the opportunity to research and write on a variety of international issues. One of the most impactful assignments involved analyzing U.S.–Syria relations following the airstrikes earlier this year and the heightened tensions that followed. It really showed how quickly foreign policy can shift, especially for Congress, and how crucial it is for our policy makers to not just read the headlines, but have legislative aides who understand the historical context and are willing to analyze every perspective. 

A few weeks later, Thai–Cambodian border tensions began escalating and reached their highest point in years. When I transitioned to my placement at the Royal Thai Embassy, the other fellows and I were immediately tasked with researching and briefing on the evolving situation. My focus centered on understanding social media responses and the historical roots of the conflict, particularly the lingering effects of colonial-era border demarcation and how nationalist narratives continue to influence public sentiment on both sides.

Over the course of this research, I observed a surprising trend of the rise of meme culture as a form of digital activism. Both Thai and Cambodian meme accounts, many with tens of thousands of followers, had completely shifted from posting lighthearted, humorous content to creating politically charged, activist content. This content has documented protests all across both nations, as well as protests in the United States, urging governments to choose peace and negotiate. 

I think this shift really highlighted how in tune youth are with current events and how they're trying to make content that is palatable for their viewers' age and more lighthearted, but still calling for action. For many young people, especially in Southeast Asia, digital platforms have become their primary space for civic engagement. Whether through satire, symbolism, or viral trends, these accounts are amplifying local frustrations to build a sense of solidarity across borders. 

Through this research, I gained a unique perspective on the role youth play in today’s diplomacy, which is not just behind desks or in formal institutions, but online in culturally relevant ways. It also displayed how quickly digital discourse can influence real-world perspectives. 

It’s also important to note that this fellowship wasn’t just about policymaking, but it was also about meeting people. Meeting Thai leaders, professionals on the Hill, and my fellow

TANIP cohort gave me more inspiration and motivation to engage with the Thai community, as I saw our community actively engaged in civic engagement and advocacy. 

As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I hope to continue advocating for the Thai community. I would like to thank the Royal Thai Embassy, the U.S.-Asia Institute, Tanya, Anna, Ally, Natasha, Mathew, Ty, and everyone who made this fellowship possible. Thank you for investing in the next generation of Thai American leaders. I hope this program continues to grow and empower more students like us to make a difference in the US and abroad.