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 offers a myriad of undergraduate research opportunities, allowing students from all years to dive into their fields of interest. In my first fall, I applied to the Women In Science Project (WISP), a two-term research program designed for first and second-year women. With just one term of coding experience from my Introduction to Programming and Computation course, I was thrilled to be matched with a professor in the computer science department. This was the beginning of my research journey at Dartmouth, and I've been immersed in it ever since!
After WISP, I contacted Professor Murnane in the computer science and engineering department to explore further research opportunities. She introduced me to graduate students in her Empower Research Lab, and I applied for a research scholarship. Initially, I joined the Lovelace Research Program, which supports students working with computer science faculty for one term. To extend my research, I turned to The Undergraduate Advising & Research (UGAR) programs, which offer various scholarships, including part-time assistantships, research grants, conference grants, and two-year programs. Staying on campus this term qualifies me for UGAR's Undergraduate Research Assistantships at Dartmouth (URAD) program. By taking these steps, I became an undergraduate research assistant in the Empower Research Lab, focusing on VR (virtual reality) design and development for human interaction. So for the past four weeks of my summer "off-term" (not taking classes), I've been working on exciting projects like a VR exhibition and the application of VR to healthcare.
In addition to my research, I recently had the chance to visit New York for a networking event. An older student interning at the company referred me to this event, highlighting the strong alumni and student connections at Dartmouth. My friend and I drove to New York City from Dartmouth, a five-hour trip filled with fast food stops. For those without a car, there are also coach buses that travel directly from Dartmouth to New York City and Boston. As an international student recruiting for software engineering roles, attending networking events at tech companies is crucial for getting my name recognized by recruiters, especially given the potential visa status challenges.
After the three-hour networking event, my friend and I indulged in a late dinner at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, a Michelin-recommended soup dumpling restaurant. Before heading back, we treated ourselves to an all-you-can-eat feast at 99 Favor Taste, a Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurant. The food was delicious, and the experience was a fantastic way to cap off a refreshing and productive trip.
The thrills and whirlwind that is Freshman Fall was an extraordinary time in my life. Reflecting on two years back, I want to explore the many events and emotions I went through during this time.
I recently completed a language-pledge homestay week in the village of Orvinio, Italy as a part of the Dartmouth F.I.R.E. Italian study abroad program!
How do Dartmouth students balance their classes and social life in a reasonable way? Somehow, we manage to get good grades and prioritize our academics while also making life-long friendships and memories.
As much as I love studying abroad on Dartmouth's Full Immersion in Rome Italian program, I also really miss campus! Here's a look back at some of the places I can't wait to get back to soon.
