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 med 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 :)
Academic Program
Intended WGSS on the Pre-Health track
Favorite Thing Right Now
Decorating my dorm to make it more homey! Also the FOCO ice cream bar :)
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!
Acapella was not an activity I was planning to pick up at college. Don't get me wrong—I think it's super cool, and I have always been an avid supporter since my sister joined one of her university's groups. I never thought I would be the right fit for a singing group, because I had never been in an organized choir or voice ensemble. But I remember watching the acapella showcase at the start of the fall quarter and seeing the groups laugh and embrace in between songs, holding hands, walking off stage, and it just seemed fun. So a week later, I mustered up the courage to attend auditions, and a few days later, I was a Dartmouth Decibelle :)
The Decibelles are Dartmouth's oldest all-female acapella group, and we currently have 21 members. When I first heard them at the showcase, I was equally intimidated and excited. The girls were so close and supportive of each other, but they also sounded so good that I wasn't sure I could keep up as a first-time acapella-er. But at the audition, all fear and embarrassment melted away because they were already so kind and encouraging. This, of course, is the case in rehearsals now as well, and I now consider singing one of my hobbies since the Decis make it so fun and stress-free.
Apart from the singing itself, though, the most significant gain I've had from the Decibelles was something I wasn't expecting from an acapella group. A true sisterhood. From the first day of being a Deci, I felt an immediate acceptance and belonging to this group of amazing and talented girls. I see the 25s, 26s, and 27s as my older sisters who I can look up to as role models and seek advice from, while my fellow first years (Babybelles, if you will) are like my twin sisters, who I'll get to sing along with and grow up with, every year at Dartmouth. And, of course, after this year, I'll gain younger sisters who I can help support.
The Decibelles were truly one of my biggest support systems for the fall term when everything was so new and so college. They were, and still are, my go-to for questions ranging from navigating campus. The Decis took me to Umplebees for the first time, and it's now my favorite cafe in town. They gave me my first pieces of flair and taught me the words to the Alma Mater. A lot of my fall term highlights are with the Decis, from the minion-themed "Babybelle" show to frolicking in the grass after performing at the class of 66 reunion during homecoming. It's safe to say the Decibelles are a huge part of my foundation here at Dartmouth, and I am forever grateful for my sisters <3
Entering a new environment miles away from home, knowing little to no people at first, can feel daunting. However, Dartmouth's support systems, particularly through the First Generation Office (FGO), have been nothing short of incredible.
