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!
Here's how I chose to unwind this past Sunday in the outdoors as a not-so-outdoorsy person!
Even though there's no one Dartmouth story, the idea of THE Dartmouth student generally revolves around the outdoors. I like spending time outdoors, but not enough to identify as outdoorsy. Even then, Dartmouth has a space for me to explore nature without requiring any traveling or any previous experience for that matter. Following First-Year Trips, I have joined several beginner friendly trips at the Dartmouth Outing Club and felt so secure and welcome!
I believe the welcoming space I found transcends the DOC and expands to the general Dartmouth community. During my hike this Sunday, I found myself reflecting on my gratitude towards all the new opportunities I have been surrounded with since this past August. I have changed and grown so much! The more I spend time here, the more assured I become on having chosen Dartmouth. I'm so glad that I have the entire Dartmouth community supporting me through discovering entirely new sides of me and appreciating my passions.
Hearing the encouraging comments of my friends who are heavily involved with the Outing Club, I decided to put myself out there and challenge myself by becoming a Trip Leader for some of you 27s!! If you see me there, do say hi!!
Just past Occom Pond and the golf course lays the trails of Pine Park! Pine Park's where I chose to spend time from 10 AM to 4 PM this past Sunday to just wander around, reflect on happenings in my life and take awesome pictures. Here's the Golf course and Pine Park: my Sunday by means of pictures!
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
