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!
Class Spotlight: Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature
When I first saw "Gender and Sexuality in Asian American Literature" listed as a course offering, I was hesitant. Literature has never been my strongest subject, and I wasn't sure if I could keep up with the pace or style of the class. But because it was cross-listed with the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) department, I thought it might be a good way to challenge myself and dip my toes into the English department. I had no idea it would become one of the most memorable classes I've taken at Dartmouth.
What initially drew me in was how unique the syllabus looked. It was my first time taking a class centered around a specific culture or identity—and although I do not identify as Asian American, I was excited to learn from the perspectives of those who do. There were so many texts I had never heard of before, including The Necessary Hunger by Nina Revoyr, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and M. Butterfly by David Henry Hwang. We also watched powerful documentaries like Slaying the Dragon and Daughter from Danang, which offered even more depth and visual context to the themes we discussed.
Our syllabus!
The reading was definitely different from what I was used to. These weren't books you could skim through; they asked you to slow down and think deeply about identity, power, family, and belonging. At first, I struggled to connect with them. But once we started having class discussions about the cultural and historical context behind the stories, everything opened up. I started noticing new layers within the texts and found myself genuinely excited to uncover what others in class had picked up on. We were not just reading literature—we were analyzing social structures, learning how histories shape the present, and understanding how storytelling can be a form of resistance.
Professor Jodi Kim played a huge role in making this class so impactful. Every so often, she would hold lecture-style sessions where she introduced us to critical theories and scholars whose work helped us better understand the material. One that really stuck with me was Orientalism, which we returned to throughout the term as we explored how Asia and Asian Americans have been historically portrayed in media and literature. These lectures helped frame our discussions in a more scholarly way while still keeping the classroom atmosphere collaborative and open.
Another highlight of the class was its creative structure. We worked together on various projects, from group presentations to personal reflections and multimedia assignments. These assignments gave us room to express what we were learning in our own way, and it made the course feel alive and personal.
My group and I "on set", filming our final project, which was a mini-movie!
Looking back, I am so glad I took the leap and enrolled in this class. It pushed me to think more critically and creatively than I ever expected, and it showed me how powerful literature can be when paired with cultural exploration and identity-based inquiry. I'm already excited to see what other courses the English department has to offer.
A reflection on how Dartmouth offers countless ways to stay connected to literature and writing—even as a side passion—through blogs, courses, campus publications, and creative communities.
Before my internship in Italy, I spent two terms studying in Rome. How did those experiences help prepare me for my current position? Well, let me explain!
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.
