Hey all! I'm Batuhan: parent to two adorable cats, self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, and aspiring polyglot among other things. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about behavioral economics, sonic arts, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions regarding exploring the liberal arts, study abroad programs, research on campus, international student experience, and study abroad programs!
Academic Program
Cognitive Science and Art History
Favorite Thing Right Now
My personal blog Write Your Tongue! #shamelessplug
Writing 5 is one of the courses that count towards the first-year writing requirement. The course covered content relating to the self, transformation, and social dynamics relating to majority and minority. Dr. Godley is simply phenomenal. Her instruction was extremely accessible even though she covered intense topics. I could not have enjoyed my Writing 5 more!
Design Thinking was above and beyond my expectations. The course is structured around weekly projects, where we apply different cognitive strategies to cover topics like design principles, human need-finding, brainstorming, scenario building, and visual thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Science covers a variety of fields including psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to provide insight into cognitive processes. This course helped me develop an understanding of all facets of cognitive science and which ones I would be interested in further pursuing as part of my major.
Psychology 10 is a deep dive into almost everything you might need to become well-versed in conducting research, analyzing data, and interpreting findings in a statistically sound manner. Professor Pfister is the most approachable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Statistics isn't exactly my forté, but I now feel confident in my stats foundation!
I loved taking this class with Madame Alverde, a professor from Université Toulouse ; Jean Jaures was an incredible experience. She made sure to correct our mistakes on the spot and improve them eloquently.
Navigating Study Abroad Finances: A Full Financial Aid Perspective
Having spent four terms at Dartmouth before embarking on my study abroad experience, I thought I had a solid grasp of my financial needs in Hanover. Little did I anticipate the unique financial landscape that studying abroad in Toulouse, a city outside the U.S., would present. As a student on full financial aid, this journey has prompted me to explore, plan, and appreciate the financial support that Dartmouth provides.
With its distinct charm and cultural offerings, Toulouse comes with additional costs that I hadn't encountered in Hanover, such as transportation and grocery shopping. In this post, I want to shed light on how I am navigating the financial aspects of my study abroad experience beyond the itemized Dartmouth financial aid package.
Dartmouth's financial aid package breaks down the estimated cost of attendance into categories like tuition, housing, food, and transportation. However, studying abroad means stepping away from Dartmouth's dorms and dining halls. Consequently, there is surplus money from my financial aid package, originally intended for on-campus living, that now contributes to covering my daily expenses in Toulouse.
While Dartmouth's financial aid was more than sufficient, I aspired beyond meeting my basic needs. Eager to explore France and potentially visit neighboring French-speaking countries, I began saving from the moment I secured my spot on the study abroad program. This proactive approach allowed me to allocate funds for these experiences without compromising my financial stability.
Batu X Eiffel Tower
Contrary to my initial fears of financial insecurity abroad, I've found myself in a position of confidence, thanks to Dartmouth's robust financial aid contribution and my budgeting skills. The meticulous itemization of the aid package ensures that even when studying in a foreign city, my essential needs are met, leaving room for personal exploration and cultural immersion.
I am immensely grateful for Dartmouth's commitment to providing study-abroad opportunities for students with high financial need. The institution's financial aid packages not only facilitate access to these transformative experiences but also empower students to embrace the full spectrum of opportunities, both academically and culturally. As I continue to navigate the financial aspects of studying abroad, I am reminded that Dartmouth's support extends beyond campus borders, fostering an environment where financial barriers do not hinder the pursuit of global education.
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
I have written about being a student worker plenty of times in the past, but I have yet to talk about one of my favorite jobs ever: ticket selling at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
This past interim, I was part of an interfaith group that traveled to Washington DC! Houses of worship were a huge part of the trip and we were fortunate to have some wonderful tours and conversations.
