Hi everyone! My name's Daniel, and I'm a 25! I'm from Orange County, California and Seoul, South Korea. I'm hoping to major in Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health. If I'm not under my sheets watching a new Netflix series, you'll find me spending time at Still North Café or at the engineering building. I hope you learn something new about Dartmouth today!
Academic Program
Biomedical Engineering and Anthropology Modified with Global Health
This class had an emphasis on really learning the material, rather than mindless regurgitation. Every class lecture truly excited and interested me, and readings were thought-provoking, The final was also a project instead of an exam, which was very fun to complete. I could tell Prof. DeSilva was also very passionate about the class materials as well!
As a "seminar" course, we focused on enjoyable discussion-based lectures. Each and every one of Prof. Kangas' lecture topics were engaging and intriguing, constantly pushing me to think. While we had reading assignments, they weren't necessarily linked to graded discussions/quizzes, which allowed me to feel more relaxed and stress-free (I didn't need to go crazy and write notes in-class). All in all, I loved learning about Pompeii!
A classic pre-med requirement course. This class has a basic structure of problem sets, two midterms, labs, and a final. I thought the points were well-distributed and the exams were fair. I personally enjoy problem-solving, which allowed this class to be more exciting personally. I'd suggest you pick the right professor for you as each professor has a different way of teaching!
This class is taught by Prof. Shipley, a professor who teaches mainly during summer terms. It was very different from the previous anthropology courses I've taken –– we had a filmmaking component as well as a collaborative project. I enjoyed this class because the assignments had a very broad, overarching outline and allowed you to explore your interests very freely. For example, for my final project, I created a podcast that delved into the educational inequity in South Korea.
My first sociology course at Dartmouth. It goes very in-depth about the macro immigration policies in-place in America and how it relates to different immigrants' experiences. I found it intriguing because I'm an immigrant myself, and I also was able to analyze and develop a different outlook on my family's experiences as well. We had interesting projects such as immigrant interview assignment, immigration policy brief, and in-class discussions.
Another first - my first Asian Societies, Culture, and Language (ASCL) course here at Dartmouth. Essentially, through a 3-hour class block each week, you watch a Korean film that provide insights into the different aspects of South Korean culture –– from Korean independence of Japan to modern economic disparities. Very interesting discussions and minimal work: the course focuses a lot more on student learning than testing!
I know what you're thinking: no way this guy liked MATH 13 the best out of his classes. I was thinking the same going into the class, but I enjoyed the problem-solving aspects. Math was one of my favorite subjects in high school, but I didn't get a chance to take any courses here at Dartmouth until I changed to an engineering major which made MATH 13 a prerequisite. All you do is solve problems, practice, grasp concepts, and take exams. But, after a bit, you get the hang of it.
One of my favorite, favorite courses throughout my whole time at Dartmouth. If you thought you know medicine and health, think again –– evolutionary perspectives open up a completely new spectrum of thinking. Have you thought about institutionalized racism in BMI indexes? How about adolescent growth differences between women who give birth in birth centers versus hospitals? Conversations you've never thought of within the medical realm happens in this class. Highly recommend it!
This term, I'm involved in an 8-person clarinet ensemble, where we hand-select our own music, practice, and perform at a recital at the end of the term. I wanted to share my experience being a part of it, especially as I'm also receiving credit for it (MUS 50)!
In high school, I swore to myself that I would never play the clarinet again. While it was a strong passion of mine in middle school, I feared performing solos in front of a large crowd of people. And that mindset remained at Dartmouth, which is why I never tried out for the Wind Ensemble or the Symphonic Orchestra group on campus. However, this fall, a close upperclassman offered a new, interesting opportunity: joining a clarinet chamber with other clarinet enthusiasts.
I was hesitant at first because I haven't touched the instrument since eighth grade. However, my friend who is also a beginner convinced me to join and practice as a side hobby; so, I gave in. Now, I think it was one of the best decisions I've made this term. The ensemble is mainly student-run. Although we do have an instructor, Jan Halloran (who is amazing!), students get to select the sheet music they want to play, coordinate together, and perform. The practice load is also quite light, as we practice twice a week and maybe take some time outside to practice individually.
What is even better is that we're able to receive ARTS credit for our distributive requirement by participating in the chamber. After three terms of MUS 50, we get one credit contributed towards our overall 35-credit graduation requirement. It's amazing that I'm able to continue performing and playing as a hobby all while receiving academic credit.
Clarinet chamber provides me with a space to free myself from academic work and have some time for myself. Whether it be joining an acapella or dance group, club sports, or music, I think it's very important to have a hobby outside of academics!
I have written about being a student worker plenty of times in the past, but I have yet to talk about one of my favorite jobs ever: ticket selling at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.
It's not every day that my Intro to Chinese Culture and Understanding the Universe classes were both canceled, but the cosmos had other plans. Welcome to a rare weekday in my life with no classes!
