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.
While students typically declare an academic study during their sophomore year or their fifth term on campus, we are not bound to it for the rest of our time at Dartmouth—and can even change it during senior year. Several terms ago, I wrote a blog post about the history major declaration process. Now, as a rising senior, I just recently finalized my modified major plan—so what exactly is a modified major? At Dartmouth, students have the opportunity to fuse together two different academic studies and programs (with an emphasis in one) into a single major, also known as a modified major; this special offering is intended for students who have a deep or specific cross-disciplinary interest that can be created into a personalized academic study.
Most departments allow modified majors, in which students take classes in their primary department while adding supplemental classes from the department they are "modifying" with. A standard modified major is around 10 courses—typically six classes in the primary, single-majoring major and 4 in the secondary—but can vary depending on department standards and requirements; in the case of the history department, the modified major consists of 12 credits: eight history courses and four from the modifying department/program. Furthermore, the classes you are submitting as part of your modified major plan should be coherently tied together for the major rationale review, which is where you demonstrate how your chosen courses relate to your broader intellectual themes and goals.
When I first declared a standard history major in my sophomore year, I was drawn to the comprehensive spread displayed through the geographical and chronological distributions, encouraging me to explore history classes across various regions and time periods. At the time, I wasn't sure if there was a specific area of study that could warrant an interest in modifying major; nonetheless, after taking classes in both the history and ASCL departments related to China and Vietnam, and completing the "Developing Vietnam" study abroad (click here for a glimpse into my abroad memory capsule), I started envisioning the personalization in my academic study that also tied—and aligned—with future professional goals. Throughout my off-term junior spring and summer, I started piecing together my modified history mod. I completed the ASCL major worksheet and the subsequent courses I still needed to complete, wrote my rationale, and received approval from both departments.
My major declaration dashboard
As someone who has been a planner my entire life, I'm also a firm believer that whatever is meant for you won't pass you. Even in the context of my academic and professional pursuits, I credit my professors, classes, and the opportunities over the past three years for revealing interests and dimensions of myself waiting to be discovered, such as pursuing a modified major. All in all, to leave you with a broader theme: the succession of moments in really all we have—trust that what is for you will reveal itself in its own time, and don't rush it.
Dartmouth is known for its outstanding graduate schools of business, engineering, and medicine, but how can undergraduates take part in that enriching environment? Read more to find out!
Thinking about studying abroad? Seriously, you should! Beijing has been one of the highlights of my Dartmouth experience so far. Keep reading to hear about my trip to the iconic Great Wall!
