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!
This was one of the most eye-opening classes I've taken at Dartmouth so far. As the title suggests, it was an introduction to a sector of academia that I had absolutely no experience in. This class taught me more than just what literature exists about disabilities, but also taught me how to think through, see, and understand the world in completely different ways.
This was my very first Quantitative Social Science (QSS) class at Dartmouth, and it's safe to say it was incredible! We dove into all things data; how things are (un)protected, tracked, and several consequences of unsafe data collection on the human race. We had really interesting readings and projects, like our self-tracking and quantification project. I know I'll be using the lessons I learned in this class for the rest of my life!
One of my favorite things about Dartmouth has been the people I've met along the way, and Carys is definitely one of them. We met during Orientation Week and have been close friends ever since. Whether we're grabbing meals, studying together, or just catching up between classes, she's been a huge part of my Dartmouth experience. Carys is involved in a ton of different things on campus, including the Dartmouth Dance Team, Dartmouth Alliance for Children of Color, and The National Society of Black Engineers. I sat down with her to talk about her academic interests, favorite spots around campus, and what she's looking forward to next year. Here's what she had to say!
Rika: Why did you choose Dartmouth in the first place, and more importantly, why do you continue choosing Dartmouth now?
Carys: My older sister went to Dartmouth, and we're really close, so I spent a lot of time visiting her while she was here. Getting to see her experience firsthand definitely put Dartmouth on my radar early on. But what really convinced me was coming to Dimensions. Everyone talks about Dartmouth's sense of community, but I didn't fully understand what that meant until I experienced it myself. People were genuinely excited to meet each other, support one another, and be part of campus life. That's honestly why I continue choosing Dartmouth every day. The community here is something special, and it's what makes this place feel like home.
A serendipitous rainbow by Baker tower!
Rika: Why did you decide to major in Computer Science and Anthropology?
Carys: I came to Dartmouth knowing I wanted to study Computer Science. I've been interested in it since high school and always enjoyed the problem-solving and creative side of coding. The Anthropology major was a little more unexpected. During my first year, I started taking classes for the Global Health minor through the Anthropology department, and immediately connected with the material and the people in the department. I loved how the classes encouraged me to think about health, culture, and society from different perspectives. Eventually, I realized I wanted to dive deeper, so I switched from the minor to the major. Now I'm double majoring in Computer Science and Anthropology modified with Global Health, which gives me a really interesting mix of technical and human-centered ways of thinking.
Rika: What is your favorite place to get food on campus?
Carys: This is probably going to be controversial, but my favorite place is definitely Foco (Class of '53 Commons). I know people love to complain about it, but I actually think it's the most reliable option on campus. There's always a lot of variety, so even if none of the individual dishes sound amazing that day, I can usually mix and match enough things to make a good meal. It's also one of those places where you're almost guaranteed to run into friends, which makes it feel like more than just a dining hall.
Rika: What about your favorite study spot?
Carys: My favorite study spot is 2FB, or Second Floor Berry, in Baker-Berry Library. For me, it's the perfect balance. It's quiet enough that I can focus and get work done, but it's not so silent that I feel isolated. I can still chat with friends, take a quick break, and enjoy being around other people. I think that balance is what keeps me productive there.
Carys and I enjoying a Dartmouth hockey game!
Rika: What surprised you the most about Hanover when you first got here?
Carys: Before coming to Dartmouth, I had this image of Hanover as being super remote with basically nothing around it. While it's definitely not a city, I was pleasantly surprised by how much there actually is to do. There are coffee shops, restaurants, a movie theater, fitness and yoga studios, a nail salon, clothing stores, and plenty of places to hang out with friends. It feels small, but in a really cozy and convenient way. I've come to appreciate having everything within walking distance.
Rika: What are you most excited about for next term?
Carys: Next term is my Sophomore Summer, and I'm so excited for it. Everyone talks about how special Sophomore Summer is, and I'm finally getting to experience it for myself. I'm especially looking forward to having an entire term with warm weather. I'll also have my car on campus, which means I can explore more of the Upper Valley. I usually don't venture too far off campus during the school year, so I'm excited to check out new places, go on little day trips, and take advantage of everything the area has to offer.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed getting to know Carys and learning a little more about her life at Dartmouth. Keep an eye out for the next post in this series, where I'll introduce another student and share more of the people and experiences that make Dartmouth such a special place.
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Greta Richardson '26, an engineering major, showed me around her room in her off-campus apartment, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
