My name is Jade Gaither, I am currently a student at Austin Community College and will be transferring to The University of Texas at Austin this fall (2024). I am an anthropology major focusing on archaeology. My research project is An Examination of Cultural Heritage and Identity in Buenos Aires, Argentina from an Anthropological Perspective. 

^{Jade Gaither, Austin Community College}

An intrinsic quality all people share, whether they are fully aware of this fact or not, is our past and future.  These forces of the past still live on and exert their influence on us whether we are conscious of it or not. Most of us never become fully aware of the importance of the heritage that humans alone lug forward through time. And further, seldom have we any true notion how to make the most of our given burden. 

Through my  research project I will be examining the cultural heritage of Buenos Aires from an anthropological perspective. The towering Obelisco de Buenos Aires is a prominent feature of the city, but why an Egyptian symbol? It is, of course, no longer seen as solely a symbol Egyptian in origin, but rather a glittering symbol of eternity and immortality, built to represent the city’s vitality. This is only one example of the cultural identity people share and how symbols tie into our existence as humans. A large part of the examination into symbols includes perhaps the most glaringly obvious symbols - language. From an anthropological perspective the continual ebb and flow of living languages ties into some of our most human traits. To change is not an option but rather a requirement of the human condition. Throughout the program, while being immersed in the life forces of Buenos Aires that is language, culture, and history, I plan to explore these topics. Buenos Aires is a culturally affluent city, a confluence of cultures, indigenous and european. The past has curated the present and thus the trajectory for the future. 

As an anthropology major I am fascinated by people’s individual stories and the collective story we as humans are writing merely by existing. As part of my research I plan to interview students at the college in Buenos Aires my program has partnered with as well as members of the host family I will be staying with. My goal is to combine the first hand accounts I get from people along with the written histories of Buenos Aires. 

I believe conducting this research will further my academic development by allowing me to research and write a comprehensive study preparing me for writing my thesis in grad school.