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.
As an aspiring religion minor, I'm currently enrolled in a Daoism class that not only fulfills my minor requirement but also allows me to delve into a subject that I find personally enriching. Growing up with the classical Chinese texts, Daodejing and Zhuangzi, I have always appreciated their depth and wisdom. To think that my first systematic study of the philosophies behind these foundational works would take place on the other side of the globe is a testament to the unique experience Dartmouth offers. Our professor, Gil Raz, an accomplished scholar with extensive fieldwork experience, brings an incredible wealth of knowledge to our class. His engaging storytelling style makes the material accessible and captivating, guiding us through three thousand years of history as we examine the evolution of Daoism as both a religion and a philosophy. Each session feels like an intellectual journey, and I appreciate how our discussions invite different perspectives and interpretations.
Laozi, the author of Daodejing, a dense and fascinating philosophical text written 2500 years ago
In addition to my studies in Daoism, I am also taking WGSS12 to pursue my interest in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. This course not only fulfills my distributive requirement but also aligns with my personal interests in understanding gender dynamics and social issues. The seminar format encourages an intimate and interactive learning environment, with weekly themes that prompt thoughtful readings and discussions. Our professor is incredibly supportive and skilled at breaking down complex texts into clear and engaging ideas, making even the most challenging concepts approachable. With a small class size of around twelve students, we have fostered a close-knit community that enables us to establish meaningful connections with one another. Our class discussions often extend beyond the classroom, allowing us to explore these topics in greater depth and develop a sense of camaraderie that enhances our overall learning experience.
