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!
ANTH 76 - Evolution of Upright Walking is a biological anthropology senior seminar. The class itself is very discussion-based, reading books/articles/literature to grasp different aspects of bipedalism. Prof. DeSilva allows you to explore areas YOU are interested in with the midterm paper and final project, and there is little emphasis on grading so you can focus on learning!
A very collaborative course –– daily discussions, guest speakers, and group data analysis assignments. I also really enjoyed the term-long ethnography project where you can choose a community to analyze. Essentially there are different frameworks and theories that can be applied to the way we talk within linguistic anthropology, and it was super interesting seeing how everything is connected to our conversations on a daily basis!
After three years of conducting research with professors in different fields and applying for different types of funding, I wanted to share what kinds of opportunities are present at Dartmouth!
Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URAD) Scholars
The URAD Scholars program is a gateway to immersive research experiences. This program provides $1.2k to conduct research with faculty mentors across a wide array of disciplines. Whether your interest lies in biological sciences, history, art history, or beyond, URAD provides the framework to explore your passions deeply and meaningfully.
As a URAD Scholar, you'll work closely with faculty on groundbreaking projects, gaining hands-on experience that goes far beyond the classroom. The program not only offers a stipend but also provides opportunities to present your research, contributing to a dynamic community of scholars. My involvement in the URAD program allowed me to work on a project focused on biological anthropology within the anthropology department. This experience was invaluable, providing me with practical skills, deep insights into the field, and a professor who guided me throughout the process.
James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars
The James O. Freedman Presidential Scholars program is another exceptional opportunity for Dartmouth undergraduates. This program is designed for juniors, offering them the chance to engage in advanced research projects with faculty members who are leaders in their fields.
As a Presidential Scholar, you'll have the opportunity to delve into high-level research, often working on projects that have significant real-world impact. The program not only enhances your academic experience but also prepares you for future graduate studies or professional pursuits. Although I personally haven't done this program, it allows one to gain a lot of funding for consecutive terms to flush out a project they are passionate about!
Others!
There are other opportunities like the Design Your Own Internship programs at the Dickey Center for International Understanding (around $5000 estimate) to conduct research internationally, Dartmouth's Center for Professional Development (CPD)'s SELF Fund, which is another lump sum of money to pursue research/off-term internships, and more.
All in all, Dartmouth provides SO many opportunities to pursue academic research interests as undergraduates!
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As I head into the final week of my LSA in Spain, I want to share my reflections on finding balance while taking four classes and being immersed in a language in another country.
This blog explores how taking classes outside my major at Dartmouth helped me grow personally and academically. Taking a film class made me more creative, curious, and highlighted the value of diverse learning experiences at Dartmouth.
Dartmouth is special because it offers abundant resources with little risk or cost. This environment allows passions to flourish, as students have the time, resources, and security to take the necessary risks and grow in their chosen fields.
