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.
Last Friday, I got a text from a friend: "Wake up call 5:30 A.M." It was a reminder of a commitment I had almost forgotten in the midst of juggling two midterms during week five. Honestly, I usually only wake up that early at Dartmouth if I'm catching the Dartmouth Coach to the airport or dealing with serious jet lag. But this Saturday was different—it was my first Sunrike (sunrise hike) at the Gile Mountain and my first visit to the Norwich Farmers' Market of the term.
While Gile hikes are available year-round, students really look forward to the Sunrikes and the Sunsikes (sunset hikes). Getting to the trailhead can be a bit tricky without a car, but there's usually a friend with wheels willing to help out!
At 5:05 A.M., I reluctantly rolled out of bed and layered on three sets of clothes. The weather forecast predicted a warmer day, but the cool mountain air would keep things chilly. The 30-minute drive to Gile flew by as I admired the bright full moon and chatted about a midterm that still has me anxious.
We met a cute dog!
The hike itself was a quick 20 minutes, featuring about 30 steep steps and a looming metal tower that has welcomed many early risers over the years. Each step upward was worth it as the sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting warm hues across the sky. The sight of the sun atop an ocean of clouds was the best start to a Saturday morning. After soaking in the views and feeling a bit chilly, we decided it was time for breakfast.
Feast
We wrapped up our hike around 7:40 A.M. and headed to KAF (King Arthur Baking) for a well-deserved meal. I treated myself to a vanilla iced latte, an egg sandwich, and a chocolate éclair—definitely hitting the spot after our early morning adventure. Although we were feeling pretty satisfied, we had promised ourselves a visit to the Farmers' Market, and I wasn't about to skip out.
Lip balm selection
A short drive took us to the bustling Norwich Farmers' Market. I had been there last fall and still remembered the delicious samosas I had enjoyed. My friends and I ended up doing over 5 laps around the market, sampling all sorts of treats. We arrived around 9:00 A.M. and kept eating until 11:30 A.M.! There was live music playing, and families filled the market, enjoying the community vibe and supporting local vendors.
Yummy
After being awake for about six hours, we decided it was time for a solid nap before diving back into the day. We drove home from our fun Saturday morning, already looking forward to doing it all over again in the winter!
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!
