Samanwita is pursuing a degree in English Language and Literature at Oxford University. Prompted by a love of reading, Samanwita remembers falling in love with the art of writing immersive, imaginatively crafted stories from an early age. Since then, her love for words has developed into an ardent passion for literature, and she is enthralled by the depth of evaluation the English language fosters in analyzing the complexities and fundamental truths of the human condition. Subsequently, she has participated in competitions such as World Scholar’s Cup, The Hong Kong Young Writer’s Awards and the World Youth Alliance Essay Competition, believing that writing is a means of empowering individuals to find and creatively express their voice. She was also selected to participate in a summer course in journalism with The School of the New York Times focusing on the criminal justice system in the US and how journalism serves to expose truth in society. In Hong Kong, she has been a writer for her school’s yearbook, and has interned at the South China Morning Post.

Outside writing, Samanwita is an avid debater, having participated in tournaments such as The Inaugural New York Times British Parliamentary Debating Championships where her team secured finalist position and the Hong Kong Schools Debating Council Championship. She is also passionate about volunteer work, and has worked with her secondary school’s Community Service Committee to teach refugees art and computer skills. In addition, she was the head of her school’s charity committee, raising money for and supporting organizations such as Cambodian Children’s Fund, Food Angel, and Lifelong Animal Protection. It is Samanwita’s hope that she continues to pursue her passion for charity and debating at university, as well as pick up other skills along the way, so that she can strive to become the best version of herself to find her place in a community she can contribute to.