Hey there! My name is Joanna Jou, a '26 from El Paso, TX. I love Hanover sunsets, relaxing out on The Green, and Still North Matcha w/ honey + almond milk. I'm beyond stoked to have y'all follow along as I create my own version of Dartmouth!
Academic Program
History and Asian Studies, International Studies Minor
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Inside the UN Advocacy World: My Spring Term with the Better World Campaign
Due to last-minute changes to my D-Plan—and having not taken an "off" term yet—I decided the spring would serve me well to be back home in Texas; thus, I began looking for remote opportunities that aligned with my interests in international affairs while also introducing me to new areas within this expansive landscape. I reached out and met with the wonderful Tom Candon, Senior Associate Director of the Davidson Institute for Global Security at Dartmouth's Dickey Center for International Understanding, who introduced me to the variety of security-related internships funded by Dickey, including partnerships with the Naval War College, Stimson Center, and the Better World Campaign (BWC). I was particularly drawn to BWC's work with global advocacy and its engagements with multilateralism, peacekeeping, reform, and conflict prevention, which were academic and professional interests I was very interested in exploring!
As a non-partisan and nonprofit organization housed within the larger United Nations Foundation (UNF), BWC works to strengthen relations between the United States and the United Nations; the organization engages with policymakers on both ends of Congress to showcase how multilateral engagement advances American national interests, which contributes to a stronger and more secure global stage, and also makes the case for why a strong U.N-U.S. partnership is smart and strategic for U.S. foreign policy. Furthermore, BWC amplifies the lifesaving work of the United Nations all over the world, particularly in peacekeeping and humanitarian response; and also collaborates closely with UNF's sister campaigns and advocacy teams—United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA), Shot@Life, United to Beat Malaria, Girl Up, and Universal Access Project—to advance global security in the areas of health equity, human development, and access to essential resources—for women, families, and communities—to the American audience.
As a full-time Peace and Security intern, I worked from 7am-3pm Mountain Time (which translates to 9am-5pm Eastern Time) during the work week. While my internship was primarily remote from my hometown El Paso, I was very fortunate to be offered the opportunity by BWC to spend a week at the D.C office on Pennsylvania Avenue from May 19-23. During the week of my visit, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before both the House and Senate Appropriation and Foreign Relations/Affairs committees regarding the State Department's budget; thus, while we were tracking all four committee hearings, our team had planned on attending the House Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing in the morning held in Rayburn.
In line waiting to get into Secretary Rubio's hearing
One of the biggest takeaways at BWC was the outlook of how the domestic—U.S.—sphere shapes foreign affairs; it is not exclusively shaped by the executive branch but is also deeply influenced by Congress. Through tracking congressional hearings, monitoring domestic/international news and updates, and drafting fact sheets and briefing material for the BWC team, I've gained insight into how policymakers on the Hill engage in discussions related to foreign aid and international priorities, as well as the crucial role of congressional staffers in shaping these discussions behind the scenes.
In all, I'm beyond grateful for my time with BWC and to have been able to witness the wonderful work done here. I feel incredibly privileged to have worked with such an amazing and dedicated team, to whom I have the deepest gratitude for, and consider myself privileged to have such worked—and witnessed—such strong examples of service and commitment, even in times of difficulties on the domestic front.
Recently, I spent the 4th of July in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. (where I am working as a Rockefeller Center First-Year Fellow), and it was amazing!
With so many undergraduates hoping to participate in the exceptional atmosphere of the Tuck School of Business, Tuck created programs specifically designed for us. I was fortunate enough to take part in one of them: TuckLAB Entrepreneurship.
This interim, I'm staying on campus for the entire interim period between spring and summer. Why? Because I'm working! I have a job with Dartmouth Conferences and Events to support Dartmouth Reunions!
