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 summer, supported by Dartmouth's Leslie Center for the Humanities student research fellowship, faculty members from our Asian Societies, Cultures, and Languages (ASCL) and religion departments, and a nun that I met during the Plum Village retreat at Dartmouth during spring term, I set off on a field trip to Vietnam to visit pagodas and interview nuns about their religious experiences.
The Leslie Center for the Humanities student research fellowship provides up to $1,800 for faculty-supervised research or projects in the humanities. The application process is straightforward: students need a research topic, a professor as a mentor, some preliminary research, a budget, and responses to a few prompts.
A lot of reading and preliminary research!
When I shared my interest in learning about the experiences of nuns in Vietnam, my religion professor provided immense support. She dedicated many office hours to discuss preparations for field research, advised me on papers related to my interest, and connected me with other professors who have conducted extensive field research in Vietnam. These professors offered invaluable advice on planning my trip and provided recommendations on relevant scholarly works and language learning. Thanks to Dartmouth's Plum Village retreat, I got acquainted with a nun from the Magnolia Grove Monastery, who generously helped me connect with many nuns across Vietnam.
Being welcomed by nuns in a pagoda in Hanoi
With my plan set into motion, I embarked on my trip to Vietnam, where I visited serene pagodas and engaged in deep conversations (or struck up casual ones) with the nuns. Each conversation, spanning hours and days, brought my studies to life, adding real-world relevance. Despite our different backgrounds, I found in them humor, generosity, and warmth that resonated deeply with me. From listening to their dharma talks to discussing topics like life and death and social activism, I gained a profound understanding of life's complexities and a commitment to making a difference from their perspectives.
My journey to Vietnam is a testament to the incredible opportunities Dartmouth provides. This experience of applying classroom knowledge to the real world and forging connections overseas through Dartmouth's network was something I could never have imagined before college. Dartmouth's support and resources have allowed me to explore my academic interests in ways that are both profound and personal.
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
Academics can be challenging at Dartmouth. But there are lots of groups across campus here to support you through your academic journey. Read on for my experience asking for help and a few organizations that might be helpful to you!
Every Dartmouth student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. Here's my experience navigating the language requirement!
