Hello! My name is Cal Shin, and I am a '27 double-majoring in Economics and Philosophy. When I'm not studying or writing a blog post, you can find me drawing as the Design Editor for The Dartmouth, hosting my radio show at WebDCR, or spending time with my friends. And if I'm not doing any of those, I'm probably watching cat videos. Follow along as I share the moments that make Dartmouth feel like home!
Two Birds, One Stone: Conquering My Bucket List, Two at a Time
What are the chances of crossing two items off my bucket list at the same time?
As it turns out, those chances are pretty high here at Dartmouth. The beauty of this space is that it is not only possible but very much accessible to do anything and everything, whether it be through classes, clubs, or workshops.
When I got into Dartmouth, I made a promise to myself that I would go beyond "smartphone photography" and actually learn how to use a camera. I am happy to say that I made good on that promise.
Despite having no prior experience with a camera, it was extremely easy to join Aegis (Dartmouth's yearbook) and become a photographer! I just had to put my name on whatever events I wanted to take pictures of (check) and have a willingness to learn (check).
I signed up to take pictures of Fallapalooza. Fallapalooza is a concert held by a student-run organization called Dartmouth Programming Board, which works together to hold fun events for students on campus throughout the year. This year, they brought in two wonderful artists, J. Maya and Claire Rosinkranz, to perform. Having never gone to a concert before, let alone take photos with an actual camera at one, I didn't know what to expect at first. However, it was a fantastic experience! I was able to stand close to the stage and took all sorts of pictures of the performers and the crowd!
I captured Claire Rosinkranz singing her heart out.
I truly appreciate how fun and flexible Dartmouth is. This place is truly an environment where I've been able to branch out of my shell, discover new interests, and reconnect with old ones. I never knew I would enjoy a concert so much, and I'm looking forward to what parts of myself I'll discover throughout my journey here!
Dartmouth is no stranger to a variety of student-run full-year performance groups in dance, a cappella, improv, and comedy. Sophomore summer is particularly special, as most of these groups allow sophomores to audition and join just for the summer.
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how I joined a sorority earlier this fall by going through the recruitment process. I've come a long way since then. In fact, I am living in my sorority house for my sophomore summer!
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
