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
In high school, my parents watched me work incredibly hard to get into Dartmouth. They were there when they helped me move in during my first year, but since then, they've only been able to hear about my experiences from afar. Over the past two years, Dartmouth has changed me in so many ways. Through the friendships I've built, the clubs I've joined, studying abroad in Beijing, internship opportunities, and everything in between, I've grown into a much more confident and independent person.
That's why I was so excited when they told me they were flying out from California for Parents Weekend during Sophomore Summer. I couldn't wait to show them the beauty of rural New Hampshire, introduce them to some of my closest friends, and let them finally experience the place that has shaped so much of who I am today.
I got to take my parents to meetings, which was so fun!
A little sibling rivalry never hurt anyone.
Additionally, my parents got to experience an official Dartmouth campus tour for the very first time and visit some of Dartmouth's most iconic spots, from local restaurants in town to walking around Occom Pond and exploring campus.
The beautiful Sanborn Library
FoCo: parent-approved
They also got to visit the house I've been calling home this summer! One evening, everyone in the house hosted a dinner for our parents on the front porch. We cooked a meal together, sat outside, and spent the evening chatting. It was such a wholesome time meeting everyone's parents and watching all of the families connect.
A full porch and even fuller hearts
Dinner is served!
Another highlight of the weekend was getting to perform with Splenda, Sugarplum's Sophomore Summer dance group, while my parents were in town. It was especially meaningful to have them in the audience for something that has become such a big part of my Sophomore Summer experience.
Asking my dad to reflect on how parents' weekend went, he said, "Parents' weekend was so much fun. Seeing our daughter in her element with other '28's bonding was very special; we especially loved the dance show she participated in, which is something very new to her and very rewarding."
"On Wednesdays, we wear pink." — Mean Girls
Outside of campus, my parents and I explored more of the Upper Valley by hiking Gile Mountain, visiting the farmers market, having dinner at Koto, and getting ice cream at Ice Cream Fore-U with some of my friends.
One day, they took me to Woodstock, a charming town about 30 minutes from campus. We spent the afternoon wandering through local shops before stopping at the Woodstock Inn to grab drinks and get a little work done. We wrapped up the day with dinner at Simon Pearce, which was absolutely delicious.
One of many beautiful places just a short drive from campus.
Overall, I'm really grateful my parents got to visit and see what my Sophomore Summer has been like during such a special time in my Dartmouth experience. It was nice to share with them what makes this community so special and why Dartmouth has come to feel like a second home.
Last September, a friend and I crafted a ten-item bucket list for our final year as undergraduates. It's the end of our senior spring now. These are some of the boxes I've checked.
