Hi everyone! I'm Madison. I'm originally from Pasadena, California, but I also spent eight years living in Manila, Philippines, and one year in Gibraltar. At Dartmouth, I plan to double major in Film & Media Studies and ASCL (Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages). Dartmouth has already opened up so many doors for me and truly changed my life for the better, so I'm really excited to share my college journey and experiences with you all!
Academic Program
Majors in Film and Media Studies and Asian Societies, Languages, and Cultures
Learning a language can be intimidating. Before coming to Dartmouth, I was nervous about taking Chinese. If I mispronounce a word with the wrong tone, it can completely change its meaning. There are so many complex characters to memorize, strokes to remember, and rules to learn. However, now, seven weeks into my time at Dartmouth,Chinese 001 is my absolute favorite class. Classes are five times a week and are an hour long. There are a maximum of 15 people per class, which I think is the perfect number.
While Chinese is a hard language to learn, it's super interesting. During the first week of classes, we were introduced to pinyin and tones, which gave us a basic framework and understanding of pronunciation. Each week, we study new vocabulary, grammar, and rules that build on one another. My friend Ryan and I sometimes come up with funny stories to help us memorize writing characters, which is a fun and effective study method. With practice, I've noticed myself improving and becoming more fluent over time, which is really cool.
When I first started this class, I immediately assumed everyone would be a master of the language. I was afraid to participate in class if I wasn't sure of the answer and risk messing up in front of others. But the truth is, everyone is in the same boat, and making mistakes is completely okay. The classroom is a non-judgmental space. My peers are curious, enthusiastic, and supportive. Additionally, Professor Yan Lao Shi is very helpful, kind, and understanding. She makes the class interactive and engaging by encouraging us to converse in Chinese, follow stories from our textbook, watch videos, and even sing Chinese poems aloud.
Friends from class at a restaurant in town!
We started "drill" during week two. Sessions are three times a week and last 50 minutes. They are led by a drill instructor who helps us develop our listening and speaking skills. Through drill, I've made some really good friends. Although the idea of having drill three times a week initially felt daunting, my drill group has so much fun that I genuinely look forward to it each time. My favorite part of drill sessions is seeing my friends and using the new vocabulary we've learned to have more fluent, interesting conversations with one another in Chinese.
My drill group! The whiteboard says "我愛中文," which means "I love Chinese."
To any current high school seniors: don't be intimidated by Dartmouth's language requirement. Exploring Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum may surprise you in ways you never expected. For instance, you might fall in love with a class you were initially hesitant to take, just as I did. I can't wait forChinese 002 next term!
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