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 is famous for its stunning outdoor spaces and the myriad of ways to explore the Upper Valley, an area that stretches across Vermont, the Connecticut River, and New Hampshire. What's fantastic about outdoor recreation here is the variety – there's something for everyone, from stargazing to fishing to tackling The Fifty, an intense 50-mile hike without sleep. Many activities are just a short walk from the dorms, while others, thanks to the Dartmouth Outing Club (a massive club with over 1,500 members), are a quick car ride away.
Personally, I love activities that are walkable from the dorm. My favorites include dipping and kayaking in the Connecticut River, stargazing at the Green (the big field in the middle of campus), and sledding on an old golf course near Occom Pond! But with summer here and my friends having cars on campus, we recently ventured to Gile Mountain for a "sunsike" (a sunset hike). Hiking isn't usually my thing, but the bonding with friends and the breathtaking view made it totally worth it!
Gile hike!
2. The Upper Valley
During my first year, I explored Hanover and discovered its unique charm. Now, as a sophomore with more time, I've ventured beyond! Being a big foodie, I've been drawn to the local eateries in the Upper Valley. Recently, after our "sunsike," my friends and I indulged at Three Tomatoes Trattoria, a fantastic pizza and pasta spot in Lebanon, NH. The carbs were much needed after our hike! I've also savored crepes at Skinny Pancake in Quechee, VT – their K-Pop savory crepe and Noah's Ark breakfast are must-tries.
Aside from eating, I love arts and crafts. If you enjoy decorating your own pottery like I do, you'd love Tip Top Pottery in White River Junction, VT! They offer pottery painting, clay lessons, and much more. It's a perfect spot to get creative and unwind.
Three Tomatoes and Skinny Pancake, respectively
3. Dartmouth Greek Life
Sororities, fraternities, and gender-inclusive houses, collectively known as "Greek life," provide a supportive community, academic benefits, and vibrant social scenes for students. Dartmouth students aren't allowed to join a Greek chapter until sophomore year, encouraging first-years to form friendships outside the Greek community first. That's exactly what happened to me! As an international student, I didn't know much about Greek life until the end of my first year. By then, I had a solid group of friends, and we all decided to rush (the recruitment process for Greek chapters) together.
This means I now have friends in various fraternities, sororities, and gender-inclusive chapters, making the Greek social scene at Dartmouth quite inclusive! Being in a sorority has allowed me to connect with students outside my usual circle and continuously meet new people, even as I approach junior year. Sophomore summer is a peak time for Greek life, with numerous events open to the whole campus. For those affiliated, it's the perfect time to bond with house members. Even if you're not part of Greek life, it offers a great way for different friend groups to mingle and connect.
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
Dartmouth changed my life. A large part of that change comes from the support I have received from professors. Learn more here about some mentor-mentee relationships I have made!
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.
