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 :)
Hi everyone! My name is Rika Masuda Singh, and I'm SO happy to introduce myself here on People Places Pines. After traveling 14,768 km (9176 miles), I arrived in Hanover from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but I am originally Japanese Indian! Growing up in the capital metropolis of a tropical Asian country, my transition to Hanover is nothing short of drastic… but so very exciting! Potential upcoming posts—to capture some sure-to-be life changing moments—include but are not limited to:
"Wait…seasons, like, change?" (Malaysia is summer year round…thanks equator!!)
"What exactly IS a pumpkin spice latte?"
"The International POV: American College Football Games"
And "Rika's Dartmouth Bucket List" (with regular updates, of course)
Apart from navigating the extreme environmental changes, I plan to dabble in recreational sports, research, cooking and baking, music, arts and crafts, pre-health societies, and maybe even some theater and acapella on campus. Some of these are continuations of my interests in high school, and some are completely new!
Matriculation, bingo nights, classes, first-year trips, soccer games, therapy dog visits, and breathtaking nature—My first few weeks here in Hanover have been a beautiful mix of excitement, nervousness, confusion, surprise, and, most of all, a strong sense of belonging.
My friends and I at Matriculation!
Poppy the therapy dog!
Occom Pond, just two minutes away from my dorm!
As a first year, I'd also like to use my platform on People Places Pines, to reflect on my experience of the college search, and how I feel I prepared for life at Dartmouth. I'd also love to shine some light on applying to Dartmouth as an international student. For any prospective students reading, I know just how daunting and stressful this process can be, and I want to provide a spark of hope—big or small—and show you guys that you can do it!
I can't wait to take you along my journey as I discover parts of Dartmouth that make me fall further in love with my new home!
Now that I'm officially halfway through my Dartmouth career, I'm acutely aware of how fast time seems to fly. It seems like years ago that I first experienced Fallapalooza, a free concert for Dartmouth students hosted by Programming Board.
As I approach the end of my first year at Dartmouth, I would like to reflect on some of the experiences and lessons I've learned throughout this school year.
