Sunrike

Joanna Jou

Class of 2026
Joanna connect with a student
Bio 

Hey there! My name is Joanna Jou, a '26 from El Paso, TX. I love Hanover sunsets, relaxing out on The Green, and the Starbucks in downtown Hanover. I'm beyond stoked to have y'all follow along my Dartmouth journey!

Academic Program 

History and Asian Studies, International Studies Minor

Favorite Thing Right Now 

The Sauna at Alumni Gym

Hometown 

El Paso, TX

Pronouns 

she/her/hers

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Joanna's D-Plan

What's a D-Plan?

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: COLT 31.03 Poetry After War

      A discussion-based class co-taught by two notable professors in the Russian and German translation/scholar community. We read a series of poems and short stories written by poets who lived under totalitarian regimes (specifically in Germany and the Soviet Union) while examining the role poetry played in communicating trauma and the living of life.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ECON 1 The Price System: Analysis, Problems, and Policies

      Coming in with no economics background, ECON 1 is an introductory class that explores how individuals and firms make independent choices, how it is reflected in the market place while analyzing it through consumer and producer perspectives, and exploring the theories involved in resource allocation and output determination. Taught by the amazing Dr. Ha Yan Lee, her dedication to the class and her students made me excited to come to her lectures, office hours, and to continue taking classes in the economics department.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 7.36 The Green New Deal: A History

      As a freshman, we are required to complete a seminar course as part of our first-year writing sequence. With a variety of departments to choose from, I elected a course on the Green New Deal with the history department since I wanted to explore the department a little more. As a discussion-based class, the way Professor Link structured his course and how he led discussions undoubtedly became the highlight of my spring term; not only did I learn some history and improved my writing along the way, but it also encouraged me to pursue the history major (and more classes with him).

    • SummerEl Paso, TX

      Back home for the summer in Texas as I spend time with my family, focus on my mental and physical well-being, and start a new role with the Admissions Office as an Admissions Communications Intern!

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ANTH 50.49 Anthropology of Museums

      Initially taking this course to fulfill my distributive requirement, I ended up really enjoying ANTH 50.49. Although I am a self-proclaimed museum enthusiast, I didn't think to inquire about the development or evolution of museums, which is why I thought this course would also be interesting to take. Nevertheless, Professor Meredith Ferguson '08 did a lovely job in shedding light on various angles in the museum world such as its natural history, curating/conserving, "heritage", repatriation and restitution, and public trust. In addition, we wrapped up the course by finally thinking about the future of museums, and their representation in society today.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: GOVT 4 Politics of the World

      I initially took this course purely out of interest as I didn't have any prior experience with the government department. Nevertheless, Politics of the World is the reason why I've decided to pursue a government minor. Taught through a comparative lens, I quickly realized that much of my academics interests lie at the intersection between comparative politics and international relations; thus, this course served as an intellectually stimulating and enriching experience, which made it a highlight of my winter term.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 72 Nationalism and Revolution in China

      I was immediately drawn to this course just by the title. To put it simply—wow, just wow. Through studying two centuries of wars, reforms, and revolutions, I've gained a deep understanding of Chinese nationalism, not just as part of national history, but also how it was carried overseas by an array of influential characters. Professor Yi Lu is one of the kindest, most genuine, accommodating, and thought-provoking professors I've had a pleasure to know and learn from at Dartmouth!

    • SummerThe Baltic countries: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia

      Favorite Class: GOVT 96.04 Politics of Democratization, Identity, and Regime Change in the Baltics

      Studied abroad in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with the government department! As post-Soviet countries, the Baltic states have become democratic success stories after major political and social transformations. This government seminar—taught by the program director—featured a variety of guest lecturers and excursions exploring the concept of democracy, its pathway and development in the Baltics, and the region's future given its geopolitical significance at the forefront of potential global conflict.

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 26 The Vietnam War

      As I prepared to go to Vietnam as part of the ASCL Developing Vietnam Fall+ study abroad program, I decided to concurrently enroll in the Vietnam War history course, which was also taught by my abroad program director, Professor Edward Miller. While the Vietnam War was undeniably a major domestic and global event, this class examined the war in the context of Vietnamese history, dating back to the origins of the war in Indochina’s colonial era. As a discussion-based class, I really enjoyed the various primary sources curated, which featured Vietnamese sources and perspectives at the center of analysis. Additionally, Professor Miller is one of the most brilliant and kind individuals I’ve had the privilege to study under!

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ASCL 51.11 Religions of Vietnam

      After completing my study abroad in Vietnam, I was drawn to take this class taught by Professor Sara Swenson, a scholar in Buddhist charity practices and networks in Vietnam. “Religions of Vietnam” was approached through an ethnographic lens, examining how religious traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Cao Dai, and spirit religions are practiced and embraced across Vietnamese communities in both a localized or diasporic level—and how these traditions/practices shape identity and power beyond the country’s socialist context. Professor Swenson is simply brilliant, and I am glad I had the opportunity to learn from her; her teaching has been profoundly impactful in shaping my global understandings of Vietnam and the complex intersection between religion, socio-political structures, and national identity.

    • SpringEl Paso, TX

      Spent my off term interning remotely for the Better World Campaign (BWC), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization based in Washington DC, that advocates for stronger relations between the United States and the United Nations. This internship was funded by the Dickey Center for International Understanding; and I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to learn about peacekeeping initiatives, legislative and social outreach, and witness all the more impactful work done by the BWC and the United Nations Foundation.

    • SummerArlington, VA

      Interning at the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training—an independent, non-profit organization that houses the world’s largest diplomatic oral history collection—based at the Foreign Service Institute. Given my experience working with oral history at the Dartmouth Digital History Initiative with Professor E. Miller, I was excited to be continuing my work with digital humanities outside of Hanover.

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: INTS 80.06 Multilateralism and U.S. Leadership (?)

      During course election, I was immediately drawn to this senior seminar since I spent my junior spring interning for the Better World Campaign, an NGO focused on U.S. relations with the United Nations. I loved my time at BWC, so I saw this course as an extension to what I had learned, especially as I begin preparing for post grad careers and thinking about my long term goals. Taught by Ambassador Jeffery DeLaurentis—a career Foreign Service Officer and former U.S. ambassador to both the United Nations and Cuba—INTS 80.06 was nothing short of lovely. Over the course of the term, we discussed the principal components of a rules-based international order and examined the roles and competencies of several multilateral organizations that underpin the order, with particular emphasis on the UN Security Council. I can go on and on about how much I enjoyed every aspect of this course, but to put it succinctly: what a privilege it has been to study with a practitioner whose decades of experience and insight truly has captivated me—not only a student, but as a global citizen.

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Beyond the Green: Walks and Friends

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One of my favorite campus activities consisted of exploring spaces on the outskirts of campus. Here are some of my favorite paths:

  1. No. 1

    The Co-op Food Store

    Picture of Lauren and Becca getting ready for our walk to the grocery store

    One spring morning, my friend Lauren, whom I met during my winter spin PE class, invited me on an afternoon walk with her and Becca, which I immediately said yes to. We decided to walk to the Co-op Food Store, which is on the east side of Hanover (closest to the East Wheelock dorms)—there are two routes you can take to get to the Co-op; one is walking down West Wheelock Street (near the gym and sporting facilities) and then turning to South Park Street (near Thompson Arena and Leverone Field House), or walking down Main Street (downtown Hanover), turn at the corner of Starbucks, and then past Hanover High School. Becca and Lauren mentioned that they hadn’t been down the second route to get to the Co-op, so we decided to go this route instead. Coming back to campus, we decided to walk via the first route back up just for a change of scenery. I love grocery shopping, so I find a visit to the Co-op to be seemingly therapeutic and a sense of entertainment; the pricing at the Co-op is also affordable and student-budget friendly, which is another feature I appreciate. In addition, the company provided by Becca and Lauren was also a highlight of this walk—some of the sweetest and loveliest friends on campus!

  2. No. 2

    Pine Park

    Exploring Pine Park

    During the fall, my friend Julia was visiting from Yale, so I decided to take her to Pine Park (located past Occom Pond and the golf course). I hadn’t visited Pine Park yet, so I thought it would be fun to bring along a friend as we explore the outskirts of campus and the nature that comes with it. There are a variety of gorgeous trails through Pine Park; whether you are looking for a route on the shorter end or something longer, the Pine Park Visitors’ Map has got you covered. I must admit, I am a bit geographically challenged, so I took Julia around Pine Park without actually knowing where we were going. Luckily, I still had a signal on my phone, and Pine Park has many signs you can follow; eventually, we made it back! 

  3. No. 3

    Woccom

    Occom Pond in the morning

    One of my favorite evening activities is definitely a woccom (a hybrid of "Walk" + "Occom"), which is where you can probably find me at night, especially during the fall and spring terms. Occom Pond is located on the north edge of campus near Dick’s House (the student health center/clinic). You can do a woccom clockwise or counterclockwise, so there is some flexibility in your scenic route; additionally, you may also encounter deer around Occom, which was surprising as I don't usually see any deer back home in El Paso. I love going on woccoms by myself whenever I need some alone time or time to decompress, whether that is listening to music on my walk or talking on the phone with my mom. Woccoms are also great with friends! I did a lot of woccoms during my spring term as a way to catch up with friends while staying active.

Posted 08/14/2023 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts

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