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.
Debunking Myths: Studying Abroad as an International Student
As cheesy as it may sound, I often find joy in insinuating that I am an international student "studying abroad" in the United States. The irony is not lost on me, and I can't help but chuckle at the notion. However, beneath this light-hearted portrayal lies the reality of the anxieties and concerns I faced before embarking on my study abroad journey in Toulouse (and at Dartmouth).
Before delving into the experience, I want to debunk and demystify the narrative surrounding studying abroad as an international student. First and foremost, just like any other student at Dartmouth, those of us hailing from countries outside the US are eligible to participate in study abroad opportunities.
As someone on an F-1 student visa, one of my initial worries was whether studying abroad would adversely impact my visa status. Fortunately, the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (OVIS) at Dartmouth issued a special document to ensure that my study abroad experience runs seamlessly concerning my visa status upon my return to the States. This alleviated a significant source of stress and allowed me to focus on the enriching experience ahead.
Another concern was the potential isolation from my first language, Turkish. The chances of encountering another Turkish speaker on the same study abroad program was slim. Despite feeling comfortable conversing in English, I made a conscious effort to regularly call my dad, sister, and friends back home. These conversations in my native language provided a space for reflection and helped me navigate the emotional terrain of being away from home.
Being part of a Language Study Abroad program in the winter meant an intense focus on acquiring the target language—in my case, French. The prospect of minimal communication in English initially made me anxious. I feared not being able to express myself clearly without a proficient language to fall back on. However, with each passing day, I feel the language barrier in French slowly dissipating as I immerse myself further and gain confidence in the language.
Basilica Saint-Sernin, Toulouse. This is also one of the historical buildings where our art history classes take place from time to time!
In conclusion, studying abroad as an international student is not without its challenges, but it's a transformative experience worth embracing. The support from institutions like OVIS, the dedication to preserving connections with my native language, and the gradual overcoming of language barriers have made this journey rewarding. As I navigate the complexities of studying abroad, I'm rewriting the narrative, one experience at a time.
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.
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
As I approach the halfway mark of my Dartmouth journey this spring, I find myself reflecting on the significance of distributive and world culture requirements in shaping my academic experience.
Coming back from Spring break usually means coming back to an entirely different campus than the one you left in the Winter – but that was not the case this year! Read on to hear more...
