Sunrike

Joanna Jou

Class of 2026
Bio Photo

Bio 

Hello 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 

Major in History; Minor in Government

Favorite Thing Right Now 

Collis Breakfast!

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!

My Favorite Study Spots (so far)

As I explore the different beautiful study spots on campus and in Hanover, here are my current favorite study spots as of Fall 2022.

  1. No. 1

    The 1902 Room

    1902

    Baker-Berry Library, the college’s main library and most popular spot on campus, is home to a myriad of study spots loved by everyone who has stepped foot inside. The library is separated into two parts: Baker and Berry, which were both built at different times - Baker being the older part of the library (opened in 1928) while Berry is considered the newer part (completed in 2000). The 1902 Room, located on the left side of Baker Library, is a large and often quiet study space that I have been coming to every single day for the past two weeks to study for my midterms. There are no individual desks inside this room, but rather long rectangular wooden tables spaced out with a printer in here as well; I really like this format because it gives me a chance to have friends/peers study around me, but also spacious enough to focus on my own work. In addition, the interior decoration is also an addition to the beauty of this room.

  2. No. 2

    Tower Room

    Tower Room

    Also located in the Baker part of Baker-Berry, Tower Room is the second and highest floor of Baker that overlooks the Baker lawn and Dartmouth Green. Since Baker does not have air conditioning due to how old it is, it gets relatively hot inside this room; however, this does not stop my peers and I from coming in here for a cozy study session. This study spot is also known as the “Harry Potter Room” due to its antique and magical-feeling aesthetic.

  3. No. 3

    Starbucks in Hanover

    Starbucks

    After a nice FoCo breakfast, you can most likely find me walking down Main Street (aka downtown Hanover, right next to the Green), to do my morning studying inside Starbucks while sipping a Chai or Matcha - my guilty pleasure that contributes to my poor spending habits. Whether it is watching video-taped lectures for my Calculus class, or reviewing slides for my Physiology course, I find myself to be very productive while sitting inside the friendly Hanover Starbucks to be the best way to get my brain stimulated for the day.

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Posted 10/13/2022 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts

From El Paso to Hanover: Meet Joanna!

Hello, Hola, and 你好 to my People Places Pines readers! My name is Joanna Jou, and I'm a '26 from El Paso, TX. Here is a little about myself and my orientation week at Dartmouth!

  1. No. 1

    First Class of 2026 Meeting

    First 26 Meeting

    Pictured: My friends walking out of the first class meeting to go eat dinner at FoCo (aka Class of 1953 Commons, Dartmouth slang for our buffet-style dining hall)

    After an eventful/hectic move-in day, the Class of 2026 had our first welcome meeting where Dartmouth acknowledges the establishment of the College on stolen Abenaki land, our class essay, and the singing of our alma mater.

  2. No. 2

    C-305 Worldwide

    Trippees

    Pictured: Group photo with my Trippees on the last day of First-Year Trips 

    You may have heard of the very well-known First-Year Trips organized by the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC). Trips, which are four days long, truly lived up to the hype surrounding it. Remember, it's not about the type of trip you do, it's the people on the trip - some of the kindest, funniest, and most caring people I've met thanks to Trips!

  3. No. 3

    3. Celestial Work of Art

    Sky

    Pictured: Photo taken of the beautiful sky on a Sunday evening above the Irving Institute for Energy and Society 

    As I walked down Tuck Mall with my friend Lucinda, we took pictures of the beautiful sky; this was also on my mom's birthday, so thank you Hanover for this beautiful view as I felt her presence with me even 2,343 miles away.

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Posted 09/23/2022 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts

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