Hi! I'm Memo, a rising junior from Bangkok, Thailand. On campus, I'm involved in undergraduate research, the Women in Computer Science Club, the Thai Student Association, and the introduction-CS-course TA team! I'm currently in Ujimelt, a summer dance group, and TA-ing for a Dartmouth Summer Scholars class. When I'm not too busy with classes and extracurriculars, I love to cook, paddle board, drink matcha, and, of course, blog!
Academic Program
Computer Science modified with Digital Arts Major + Human-Centered Design Minor
Coming in with some Python background, I still find this class challenging. Yet, I always enjoy going to Vasanta's lectures and working on the short assignments with the help of the TAs. Awesome experience.
Professor Pierson taught the class really well—his lectures always start with a hook that keeps me engaged. Although the material is definitely more challenging than the prior class, I learned a whole lot more. My CS1 professor suggested we learn Java before taking CS10 (she even sent us resources for it!), but of course, I didn't. It was a language I continued picking up as I did my short assignments and PSETs with my partner. The workload is not light; however, I felt like everything was worth learning!
Initially, I felt daunted by the thought of taking Data Visualization due to its rigorous materials and challenging projects. The course is structured as a flipped classroom, encouraging us to read textbooks before class and complete assignments with guidance from Professor Horiuchi. This approach was incredibly beneficial; he allowed us to solve problems independently, answered our questions, and provided valuable insights at the end of each session. Although the exams were tough, they directly reflected our in-class practice. Additionally, I applied what I learned during my first summer internship!
Professor Beaudoin is one of my favorite professors and lecturers at Dartmouth! I have always been interested in classical music, and this class allowed me to completely immerse myself into it. Early Classical Music was vastly different from traditional college classes – we listened to pieces from ancient civilizations, flipped through preserved music scripts written on cattle skin, copied down old music notations, and attended a Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra performance. For our final essay, I read extensively about Élisabeth Claude Jacquet de La Guerre, a French harpsichordist from the 1600s. This experience not only enhanced my knowledge of Jacquet de La Guerre but also taught me how to efficiently navigate the library and utilize its resources.
Taking ENGS 012: Design Thinking with Professor Steinhauer (Rafe) was one of my best decisions. The class significantly enhanced my creative thinking and collaboration skills. We worked on various projects, each with different groups. My favorite project involved building a foamcore rollercoaster for a ping pong ball. The class became really close and it felt like high school all over again!
In this course, my team and I built a motorized gutter system! The class focuses on applying design thinking principles from ENGS 012 to create need-based solutions for specific user groups. With the theme of 'rural living' this term, my group targeted homeowners in snowy areas with gutter systems. Our motorized gutter system aimed to prevent ice dams and gutter damage during winter.
Dartmouth encourages students to stay active, and for those graduating in 2026 and beyond, that means completing 3 PE credits. Fortunately, Dartmouth offers a variety of activities to meet this requirement—everything from Power Pilates to Modern Dance, Timber Team, Jiu Jitsu Club, and even being a First-Year Trips Leader or taking a Foundations of Mindfulness course. The best part is that you don't need to do anything too intense. Just attend a set number of classes or practice sessions, and you're good to go.
In my first term, I joined the Women's Club Basketball team. I didn't quite make the attendance requirement for a PE credit, but it was still a great introduction to Dartmouth's PE requirement. I met new people and got a taste of what it takes to stay active on campus.
In my sophomore year, I decided to try something more structured and joined the "Pilates to the Core" class with a couple of friends. We met twice a week at the gym, and for an hour, our instructor led us through a variety of exercises that worked muscles I didn't even know existed. I'm not someone who naturally finds time for the gym, so having a set schedule really helped me stay on track. That class earned me my first PE credit, and it also introduced me to a new way of staying fit.
During my sophomore summer, I joined Ujimelt, a summer dance group. Most campus dance organizations count toward PE credits and are a great way to build community and stay active. Summer groups tend to be more relaxed as they're generally lead by sophomores and welcome students of all experiences. We practiced twice a week for two hours and even put on three performances that term. Since I wasn't officially enrolled for the summer (due to visa complications), I couldn't use it toward my PE credit. Still, Ujimelt was one of the highlights of my summer, and I loved being part of such a fun and supportive group!
This fall, I'm taking a beginner ice skating class with some friends. I've skated a few times before, but let's just say it's not my strongest skill. So far, I've attended two classes, which have focused on basic drills and practice time. After just a couple of lessons, I can already turn in a full circle—something I'm really proud of! I signed up for the class to prepare for winter skating on campus, and I'm excited to keep improving.
On the ice!
Overall, Dartmouth's PE program has made staying active fun, and it's given me the chance to try things I never thought I'd do.
I applied through Questbridge's National College Match, but did not match. To others who also did not match, this is not the end of your application process! Here's what I did following match decision day.
Unlimited buffets, flavorful drinks, an assortment of breakfast pastries—Dartmouth has so many great food and drink options to choose from! Join me as I rank my favorite ones.
Walking around the Wellelsey campus, it's clear that it was built with intentional incorporation of the surrounding nature. The architecture of many buildings were also mindfully crafted to support Wellesley's unique principles.
