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 past weekend was Dartmouth's Homecoming, and the campus was alive with energy, tradition, and, best of all, perfect weather. From alumni flooding back to Hanover to students rallying around the bonfire and the big game, the whole campus was buzzing with school spirit. For me, it was extra special because my best friend from high school, Angel, came up from Boston to spend the weekend with me.
Hi Angel!
Saturday morning kicked off with a highlight: an alumni brunch with the Dartmouth Decibelles, the acappella group I'm part of. It was such a surreal and heartwarming experience to sit down with women who had been part of the group decades ago. We even had a founding member from the Class of '76 join us, alongside an alum from the Class of 2000. Over coffee and muffins, we shared stories about rehearsals, performances, and the unique sense of community that comes from singing together. The best part, though, was raising our voices in song, as we sang out some of our most iconic arrangements with harmonies that spanned across generations. It was a reminder of how traditions aren't just preserved at Dartmouth; they're lived and celebrated.
Decibelle Alumni!
After brunch, it was time for the big game: Dartmouth vs. Yale. Angel and I joined the sea of green in the stands, cheering on the Big Green as they battled it out with the Bulldogs. It was an intense game, filled with nail-biting moments, and just when it looked like the outcome was uncertain, Dartmouth pulled ahead in the last four seconds. The roar of the crowd was deafening. That thrilling win set the tone for the rest of the weekend, and it felt like everyone was walking around with an extra bounce in their step.
Go Big Green!
The fun didn't stop there. With alumni filling the campus and town, Hanover felt more alive than ever. I took Angel on a little tour, starting with a walk around Occom Pond, affectionately known as a "woccom." The fall sunlight sparkled on the water, and we stretched out on the golf course to soak in the warmth. Later, I introduced her to Still North, my favorite café in town, where we sipped on drinks and chatted before she had to head back to Boston on the Dartmouth Coach.
Dartmouth's Pine Park
Angel's visit was short but so perfectly timed. She got to see Dartmouth at its very best: brimming with spirit, history, and community. Homecoming is always special, but sharing it with one of my closest friends made it unforgettable. As Angel waved goodbye, I couldn't help but feel grateful: for the Decibelles, for the win, for the sunshine, for Angel, and for a weekend that showed Dartmouth at its peak. What a Homecoming to remember!
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.
