你好！Or Hi! My name is Taylor, and I'm a '27! I'm from Beijing, China. I'm hoping to major in Mathematics Modified with Computer Science and minor in Religion. Outside of the classroom, you can find me going on hikes with the Dartmouth Outing club, drawing or crafting at the jewelry studio, or having fun, philosophical conversations with friends!
Academic Program
(Intended) Mathematics Modified with Computer Science, Religion
Coming to Dartmouth with a solid background in French (Delf B2), I find French 3 a perfect fit for me -- it helps me to consolidate a lot of key grammar and vocabs, and fun weekly cultural activities like coffee hours and french lunch table offers me chances to relax in busy times. While the class is very rigorous and requires a lot of hard work, my professor is so nice and makes the class very fun! I also look forward to going to Dartmouth's Toulouse LSA program after completion of this class!
This course explores how Buddhist concepts of embodiment affect daily life and society in Southeast Asian contexts, and how the intersection of religion, sexuality, and gender impact broader understandings of authority, wisdom, beauty, death, and loyalty. The class takes on many forms beyond mere lectures -- a visit to the Hood Museum of Art, mindfulness practices, and small Buddha-crafting projects. Our professor (the sweetest Prof. MK Long) also invites many of her colleagues at other institutes as guest lecturers to our class so that we can learn from real experts specializing in different countries in Southeast Asia. I have learned a lot from the class and decided to become a religion major after this course!
Having never enjoyed math classes before college, I'm surprised (again) by how I'm becoming a math major and falling in love with math here! My professor (Prof. Shu Longmei, who graduated from the best university in my hometown) is incredibly good at teaching the concepts -- not just explaining things clearly but also showing us the beauty and elegance of calculus. I really look forward to taking more math classes in the future!
SummerVietnam & Beijing, China
I first visited pagodas in Vietnam for a couple of weeks and had days of conversations with monastics! Then, I returned home to savor time spent with my family and old friends, focus on my mental and physical health, and study and work a bit.
This is a really fun and engaging class taught by an award-winning professor. The mini-ethnography assignments provide a lot of hands-on experience in conducting fieldwork, making the methods we study feel real and applicable. From participant observation to interviews and field note coding, this course offers an immersive introduction to ethnographic research on religion. Plus, the discussions on research ethics and methodology are both thought-provoking and relevant, making this an incredibly useful class for anyone interested in studying contemporary religious communities through direct engagement.
This class is incredibly interesting because it feels like traveling through time—from the philosophical foundations of Laozi and Zhuangzi to medieval Daoist traditions and contemporary practices in northern and southern China and Taiwan. Even as a Chinese student, I’m realizing how much there is to learn, not just about Daoism but also about the broader religious landscape and practices in China.
While many people might associate cold, long, snowy winters with hardship, I've found that winter at Dartmouth is full of potential to be just as fun as other seasons. From skiing down the slopes to enjoying cozy moments with friends, here are just a few winter activities that have made me fall even more in love with Dartmouth during these colder months.
Skiing is one of the most exciting winter activities at Dartmouth. The Dartmouth Skiway offers skiing and snowboarding lessons that are perfect for beginners and experienced skiers alike. When I first started, I asked my friends at Dartmouth to teach me the basics. With their guidance, I quickly picked up skiing, and now it's one of my favorite ways to get outside and stay active. It's not only great for fitness, but there's something incredibly refreshing about gliding down the snowy slopes with the crisp air all around. The thrill of speeding down the hill, mixed with the serenity of the snowy woods, makes skiing a must-do!
If you've ever dreamed of skating across a frozen pond, Dartmouth has you covered. Whether it's skating at Occom Pond or enjoying the rink on the Green, ice skating is one of those simple joys that make winter magical. You can also join the Dartmouth Outing Club on a trip to Lake Morey for some outdoor skating. The crisp winter air and the glistening ice made it feel like something out of a winter fairytale.
Ice skating at Dartmouth is also incredibly convenient. You can easily borrow a pair of skates at Robinson Hall and glide across the rink on the Green with your friends. What I love most is how my friends always encourage me to join them to skate, offering a helping hand and guiding me as I learn the ropes of skating. It's those moments of laughter and support that make the experience even more special.
When it's too cold to stay inside, the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) is my go-to for outdoor adventures. The best part is the community spirit that comes with these trips. A cozy memory that stands out was heading to the O-Farm on a Friday afternoon, sipping warm tea and peeling corn with my first-year floormates. It was the perfect mix of cozy and social, and it really helped me to catch up with my friends. Activities like these remind me that winter at Dartmouth isn't just about braving the cold—it's about coming together, enjoying the outdoors, and making unforgettable memories.
In just a month, I went from a complete beginner to a proficient skier, smoothly making my way down the green and blue runs at Dartmouth Skiway. Read about my journey and how I made such rapid progress!
