Hi everyone! I'm Rika, a semi-international '28 from Japan, India, and Malaysia. I'm interested in studying women, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as public policy, global health, and biology while also being on the pre-health track! In my free time, I love to read books, cook and bake, play violin, spend time with animals, be sarcastic, and drink hot drinks (especially teas)! I'm so excited to share my exploration of Dartmouth with everyone :)
Sex, Gender, and Society is a class in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) department. It focuses on how gender and sexuality are represented in the media and explores different ways society shapes our perspectives. This discussion-based class features multiple group projects, which allowed me to meet and interact with many of my classmates, which was super helpful in my first term! Fun fact: this class taught me how to plan, film, and edit a podcast on campus!
In this class, we explored the different contemporary meanings of the 4 concepts; love, romance, intimacy and dating. What did they look like at Dartmouth? How were they represented or defined in scholarly research? Why are they important to the world and human interaction? Our classes consisted of thoughtful discussions, insightful lectures, and even primary research. The final project was a research paper that featured the data we collected as a class. It was a wonderful course that introduced me to the world of sociology and qualitative research!
This class was my first English/literature class and it was an absolute BLAST. Professor Jodi Kim provided us with so many interesting texts that explore the nuanced intersections of identity and sexuality, in various Asian American settings. Texts include M. Butterfly, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, and The Necessary Hunger. Our classroom discussions were lively, filled with new and contrasting interpretations of quotes. I highly recommend this class!
SummerBoston, Massachusetts
This summer term, I decided to stay with my parents, who moved to Boston at the end of May! I kicked things off by spending a few weeks training to become a certified nurse assistant (CNA), and after earning my license, I took some time to recharge. I reconnected with family, explored Boston’s best food spots, and went on a few spontaneous trips around the U.S. with friends! Definitely a refreshing and memorable summer!
Becoming a First-Year Trips Leader: My Experience at the O-Farm
One of Dartmouth's most beloved traditions happens even before classes begin: First-Year Trips. Every incoming student has the chance to head out on a three-day adventure with a small group of peers and two upperclassmen volunteers. Trips range from mountain biking to hiking to museum exploration, and each is designed to help first-years settle in, meet friends, and start building their Dartmouth community.
This past fall, I had the privilege of co-leading the Organic Farming Trip at the Dartmouth Organic Farm, fondly known as the O-Farm. I'm a second year now, so this was my first experience on the other side of Trips. As a first-year student, my own trip leaders had a huge impact on me, offering mentorship, encouragement, and lots of laughter during those first uncertain days of college. Stepping into that role myself felt both exciting and humbling, and I wanted to give my trippees the same warmth and guidance that I had received.
Our group of seven first-years was incredible from the start, as they were curious, thoughtful, and ready to dive into new experiences. The O-Farm turned out to be the perfect backdrop for our time together. The farm has a rich history: it started as a class project in the late 1980s, became an organic garden in the '90s, and has since grown into a hub for sustainability, learning, and community. Because it's supported by the College, the O-Farm doesn't have to operate for profit, which allows it to donate fresh produce to local organizations like Willing Hands and Moms in Recovery. Beyond the social impact, it's also just a beautiful space, complete with beehives, a wood-fired pizza oven, and access to the Connecticut River.
Bouquets made from organic flowers that were later donated to a local nursing home!
We were lucky enough to have perfect weather. Our days followed a relaxed rhythm: weeding a few rows of crops, harvesting plump tomatoes, making bouquets, cooking meals together outdoors, and playing card games in the shade. It wasn't about how much work we got done on the farm; it was about the conversations, laughter, and small moments of connection. My co-lead, Julia, and I made sure to keep things light and welcoming, sharing our own Dartmouth stories and answering questions ranging from "What's the best dining hall station?" to "How do you handle homesickness?"
My trippees with another first-year trip that was canoeing nearby!
What struck me most was how quickly our group bonded. Over snacks, jokes, and the occasional tomato-eating contest, we became more than just a group of strangers—we became a little family. I saw, again, how a simple three-day trip could lay the foundation for lasting friendships and confidence heading into college.
Some of the fruits of our tomato harvest!
On our final day, we joined the other trips at the Dartmouth Skiway lodge. The energy was electric, with so many first-years and leaders gathered together, trading stories and celebrating the end of their adventures. It felt like the perfect culmination of our time at the O-Farm, a moment that tied our small group to the larger Dartmouth community.
Being a Trips leader taught me that mentorship isn't about having all the answers; it's more about showing up, listening, and creating space for joy. I walked away with new friends, new memories, and a renewed appreciation for the magic of First-Year Trips. To me, that's what Dartmouth is all about: community, growth, and the chance to plant seeds, whether on a farm or in the lives of others, that continue to grow long after the trip ends.
As I begin my junior year, I feel my time at Dartmouth shifting from exploration to deeper focus, with my studies, experiences, and passions beginning to take clear shape.
As a senior now, I've experienced and learned more about myself and about life than I ever anticipated I could. With that, I want to reflect on Dartmouth's unique qualities, from its rural setting to the Greek Life presence to the quarter system!
