Hi everyone! I'm Kabir, an international member of the class of '26, from New Delhi, India. I'm thinking of majoring in Psychology and Film & Media Studies. Outside the classroom, I enjoy watching movies, going on hikes, hanging out with my friends, and going on runs (if you see me on the streets of Hanover, say hi!) In the short while I've been here, I've come to love Dartmouth, so if you're interested in what I have to say, stick around! This should (hopefully) be fun :)
My Writing 5 class was definitely my favorite class this term — it opened my eyes to the realities of the food industry, strengthened my skills as a writer, and helped me make a ton of new friends.
My seminar was possibly the best class I've taken so far at Dartmouth. I learned about the importance of free speech and journalists in a democratic society, and how those rights to freedom are being stripped everywhere, all the time.
I've loved Cognitive Psychology as a class so far, especially because of the cool demos that the professor uses to illustrate every type of phenomena we learn about. From illusions to memory tests, it's so cool to see how the human psyche can be tricked so very easily.
People Beyond the Places: Interviewing a Member of the Chinese Student Association
Today, I interviewed Helen Cui '27, who's a member of the Chinese Student Association (CSA). Many prospective students have reached out asking about specific cultural student groups, so Helen and I had a great conversation about the CSA! Read on if you're interested!
1. What inspired you to join the Chinese Student Association, and how has it enriched your experience on campus?
I joined because I am Chinese, and I went to the meetings that they had for people who were interested in being more active. I thought it was a good idea, so I just went. I met some really nice upper-level students, and it's one of those clubs that you don't have to apply to get into; you just keep showing up. I liked that the stakes were so low because it's very nice to get to be a part of something and have it be self-selected and not a competitive thing. I also love it because I'm very in touch with my Chinese culture, and being in New Hampshire, I was nervous about having no connection to that during my first year. But, being in the CSA has fostered a sense of inter-community bonding.
2. Can you share some key events or traditions your association organizes to promote Chinese culture and community?
We always do a Mahjong Social, which is always so much fun. We get a room, order a lot of Han Fusion, play Mahjong, play other games, and socialize. It's honestly so fun because there's such a diverse array of people that come. We also do hot pot socials—where we go on a grocery run and then just run these hot pots. It's starting to get a lot larger; many of us in CSA are excited that the larger Asian community is getting involved with these traditions.
3. How does the Chinese Student Association support its members academically, socially, and culturally?
We support them by just being there. We talk about it being a very open space. If you buy into it, you get to be a part of it and derive whatever you want from it. Upper-level students are very helpful, and there's a mentality of siblinghood there. This holds true in my experience: upper-level students have helped me consistently throughout my time at Dartmouth. It's so helpful to know upper-level students at Dartmouth, but at the same time, it's challenging to get in touch with them when there's no medium to do it. CSA at Dartmouth changed that for me, and it will undoubtedly change that for any students who might want to join.
4. What advice would you give to incoming students interested in joining or learning about the association?
I would say that—just come to meetings! Come hang out. The easiest way to be a part of any organization at Dartmouth is just to show up, and ultimately, it's all gonna work out. So excited to meet any future '29s!
As a Digital Media Student Director for Dartmouth's First-Generation Office, it is my role on campus to amplify first-gen voices, foster community, and create meaningful connections through creative outreach.
This fall, Dartmouth provided me with incredible opportunities to get involved in politics. I registered as a New Hampshire voter, joined civic organizations, canvassed, and more! Read on to follow my journey leading up to Election Day!
