Hey all! I'm Batu. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about the cognitive science of design, developmental psychology, aesthetics research, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions about exploring the liberal arts, learning a new language at Dartmouth, cafes in town (one of my favorite blog series dare I say), study abroad programs, and research on campus!
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.
SummerIstanbul, Turkey
I was home during my first summer! A non-exhaustive list of things I've done includes sunbathing, coding my personal blog, and going on runs. #rest #relaxation
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.
This course allowed me to explore the intersection of aesthetics and digital media, focusing on how digital environments reshape traditional concepts like materiality and form. I particularly enjoyed comparing human and AI-generated analyses of art and examining the frameworks that shape contemporary digital studies, from visual culture to design philosophy.
SummerHanover, NH
I was on campus pursuing full-time research in the Cognitive Science department. My research focuses on children's capacity to imagine and reason about possibilities!
Welcome to the fourth post of my Exploring Cafes in Hanover series! For this installment, I had the pleasure of reviewing a cafe I've surprisingly never checked out in Hanover – Dirt Cowboy. Dirt Cowboy arguably boasts the most central spot of all cafes in the area, with its proximity to the campus, just a mere 30-second walk from the college green.
Dirt Cowboy offers a different experience compared to most other cafes in Hanover. They don't have a proper designated seating area inside, but their outside seating always looked inviting when passing by. However, if you're fortunate, you might snag one of the two seats they have inside.
My first impressions of Dirt Cowboy were quite positive. The interior is well thought out and aesthetically pleasing. I especially loved the concept of having coffee bean dispensers welcoming customers as they walk in.
Coffee bean dispensers
As soon as I walked in, it was evident that they had an extensive offering of pastries, smoothies, coffee, and tea. While I would have loved to sample everything on their menu, I opted for a nitro brew and somewhat awkwardly approached other customers and staff to inquire about their go-to orders (yes, it felt a bit awkward).
A miscellaneous list of recommended items I gathered includes the almond croissant, lemon turnover, and the chicken pot pie. For drinks, the unanimous approval was for their coffee selection, which seemed more extensive compared to other cafes in town.
Being real with my nitro brew! (Don't let my nonchalant face distract you from how delicious Dirt Cowboy's nitro brew was)
In summary, Dirt Cowboy might not be the go-to place for getting work done, as they lack a dedicated interior seating area. However, I can certainly envision myself romanticizing the idea of sitting down and chatting with friends on a sunny day here.
The central location, welcoming atmosphere, and intriguing coffee bean dispensers make Dirt Cowboy a charming spot in Hanover worth a visit. Whether you're in the mood for a quality cup of coffee, a delicious pastry, or just some casual conversation with friends, it's a place that offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other cafes in town. So, next time you find yourself in Hanover, don't overlook Dirt Cowboy as I have for the past year, and be sure to give it a try and explore its unique charm!
I applied through Questbridge's National College Match, but did not match. To others who also did not match, this is not the end of your application process! Here's what I did following match decision day.
Unlimited buffets, flavorful drinks, an assortment of breakfast pastries—Dartmouth has so many great food and drink options to choose from! Join me as I rank my favorite ones.
Walking around the Wellelsey campus, it's clear that it was built with intentional incorporation of the surrounding nature. The architecture of many buildings were also mindfully crafted to support Wellesley's unique principles.
