Hello there! My name is Shuyi and I'm a '23, which means it's my junior year here at Dartmouth! I'm back on campus for the first time in a year so follow me as I get back to some of my favorite experiences! At Dartmouth, I enjoy playing squash, eating at late night, and of course, blogging. You can ask me about studying social sciences, coming to Dartmouth as an international student, and anything else really. I hope you enjoy the blog!
My First-Year Trip was a wonderful experience that gave me some close friends and some great memories. I can go on and on about going electrofishing, bonding through pranks, or taking a freezing dip in the river. Instead of talking about all those amazing adventures (which you'll just have to experience for yourself), what I'm going to talk about instead is how I survived four whole days without my phone, or any form of communication with the outside world.
Preparing for my trip, I collected a list of essential items, from sleeping bags to non-cotton clothing. My hardest decision, however, was not what to bring, but rather what I should do with my Snapchat streaks. Eventually, I made the decision to let them go. New school, new me, right? I told my friends that I would be gone for a few days and left my phone behind as I took a bus up to the Second College Grant with my trippees and trip leaders. I was prepared to miss my phone and social media, but as my trip began, I discovered all the perks of life without phones.
After we got off the bus, we had to take a quick hike to get to our cabin. We played silly bonding games on our way, games which I would have probably not participated in if I had my phone to distract me. With no texts or social medias to browse, I spent almost all of the day getting to know my trippees and trip leaders better, as we joked around and talked about our lives.
The G470 Fishing trip!
Best of all, I got to know everyone in my trip organically, discovering everyone's personalities and interests without being influenced by what their Instagram profile looked like or what their Snapchat score was (although one of my trippees did flex a 700,000+ score). My First-Year Trip was amazing for so many reasons, but what I loved most about the experience was how refreshing it was to spend a few days without the outside world. Suddenly, I had no responsibilities, except to connect with and bond with these amazing Dartmouth students I soon called my friends. The friendships I made during my trip felt different from the typical four-day friendships. They were stronger and more real, and I definitely felt like I knew these people for more than a few days.
Back on campus, it always brings a smile to my face when I see one of my trippees or trip leaders. I get the feeling of seeing an old friend, and it's always cool to see what everyone's up to. We remain a close group, and even all reunited last week to have dinner (as many trips do). My adventure into the outdoors with some of the nicest people I have met introduced me to Dartmouth, and I haven't looked back since!
I thought I'd use this blog post to share a bit more about Dartmouth's profound sense of place my first in-person (non-Zoom) term— particularly, the people, the place, and the pines.
This Indigenous Peoples' Month, Native organizations at Dartmouth are spearheading events that honor and celebrate Indigeneity in all of its shapes and forms.
I reflect on Week 4 and the beauty of Dartmouth's many opportunities and resources. I discuss the amazing memories and bonds that I have created within the Dartmouth and Upper Valley communities!
As the leaves begin to turn, fall festivities are around every corner! From Harvest dinner to Homecoming weekend, campus was buzzing with excitement from students, parents, and alumni!
In hopes of sharing my Homecoming in a unique way that will hopefully show you a different side of Dartmouth's biggest tradition, I decided to just share three things. Three nice things that I experienced during Homecoming.
The G470 Fishing trip! 
