"I enjoy transforming spaces I occupy to be not only more inclusive but also to be safer for all," says Batuhan Saridede '26, who was nstrumental in expanding LGBTQIA+ programming at his boarding school in Turkey. "At first, I didn't feel secure being fully myself, but in allowing people to have space for curiosity, I expanded the conversation—not just for me, but for future students."
The transition from Istanbul to Dartmouth initially surprised Batu. "I quickly realized that people here come from many different places, and we're all growing through that. I think there's something beautiful about how Dartmouth students are all keen on learning from one another, especially when it comes to identity and sense of place."
Batu thought he'd major in psychology until he discovered the field of cognitive science. "In my cognitive science classes, we analyze cognition through the lens of fields like linguistics, philosophy, economics, and even human-centered design. The field hits a sweet spot between leveraging your observations of the world and being scientifically plausible."
That curiosity for cognitive science led Batu to Dartmouth's PhilLab, which seeks to answer questions about how minds understand non-actual possibilities—sometimes called 'possible
worlds.' There, he's part of a research group studying how children and adults differ when generating options in given scenarios. Separately, he also received funding from Dartmouth for a self-initiated research project in Istanbul. "There, I examined how different populations approach voting. It was so empowering to receive funding to do something I'm passionate about."
Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum has allowed Batu the freedom to explore yet another interest—foreign language learning. He chose to study French through Dartmouth's Rassias Method, a signature program that helps students learn new languages rapidly. He enjoyed his coursework so much that he spent a term on an off-campus study program in Toulouse, France. Batu was initially worried about affording the program, but was relieved to learn that his financial aid offset his extra costs. "I received spending money in addition to the compensation I earned through my on-campus jobs."
What Batu is most grateful for, though, are the connections he's found with many different kinds of people at Dartmouth. "Saying hello to a professor from first-year fall, a friend of mine, and the Dean of the College all within five minutes is an incredible thing. I think the way Dartmouth is both physically and systematically designed allows for that type of community."
Photo by Don Hamerman, pictured at X-Delta, a public sculpture outside Baker-Berry Library
