Hi all! Welcome to my very public blogging page! I am Toni Fabian '25, the middle child of my family, from a small town in sunny Southern California. I plan to study economics and human-centered design. I am passionate about culture, educational equity, and social justice. I will be writing about all things Dartmouth, from the infamous FOCO cookies to the resources and opportunities offered here on campus. I am truly so excited to bring you along with me while I navigate my college journey!
Academic Program
Intended majors: Economics and Sociology; Intended minor: Human-Centered Design
Each week I was responsible for completing problem sets, quizzes, classwork, and discussion boards. Every week we related what we learned in class to the real world. For example, we read about food banks and their past struggles with efficiency. As a class, we discussed solutions and delved deeper by asking questions and collaborating with each other. I loved this class a lot because Dr. Petre made learning really fun and is so kind! I learned a lot of information ranging from different elasticities of demand and supply to the indicators of poverty. This class was awesome!
For my FYS (First-Year Seminar), I took a history course called Gender and Urban Transformation (9L slot). Our class discussions drew from primary sources and historical analyses that dabbled on gender and its intersection with race, sexuality, and class in the development of U.S. suburbs and cities. Essentially, we explored urbanization and suburbanization as a multi-gendered process. I developed my research skills as I drafted an annotated bibliography, book review essay, and prospectus on the Chicano Movement's impact in the realm of higher education from the 1960s to the present in California, Texas, and Chicago. I learned a ton, I am so happy that I took Professor Rabig's course!
Sociology 1 is the introductory course for the Sociology major, and I loved this class so much! We had a ton of class discussions and the material was very insightful. We were assigned a term-long discussion group, and my group leader was so kind and knowledgeable. We analyzed and discussed the reasons behind class stratification, power dynamics, and social and economic inequalities in society. This class has truly helped me further develop my sociological imagination and changed my perspective in life. :)
For the entire summer, I interned for Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano (SJC). Breakthrough SJC is a non-profit organization situated in Southern California that aims to close the achievement gap for underrepresented and underserved students. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have served as a teaching fellow this summer and for Dartmouth's support in preparing me for this amazing and unforgettable experience!
Life Updates and Reflection: Breakthrough SJC Internship
I am writing this week's blog post as I enter the fourth week of my summer internship with Breakthrough San Juan Capistrano. I am very grateful for my Dartmouth Alumna's support throughout this internship and her guidance throughout the weeks. I was paired up with a Dartmouth Alumna through the Center for Social Impact. Her advice and expertise throughout the summer have guided me tremendously as I progressed throughout the weeks.
I feel prepared to return to Dartmouth and bring my lived experiences with me. I am excited to return and continue to grow. A very memorable experience that I have experienced this past year was my time with Foundations in Social Impact. This leadership program is designed for first-year students and includes an extensive application and group interview. The program started during the winter term and ended after the spring term. I was paired with a small cohort of Dartmouth students and we came up with extensive solutions to alleviate the housing crisis in the Upper Valley. We concluded this experience with a final deliverable that detailed a presentation of our research, recommendations, and possible solutions. This experience was amazing because I gained more experience working with the Center for Social Impact and working with Dartmouth students throughout the many months that we were together. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside my peers and learn so much about the greater community in New Hampshire.
Altogether, my experience with Foundations has guided me in expanding my knowledge and perspective for my internship with Breakthrough SJC. I have gained a ton of experience collaborating with peers, partaking in research, and being a part of committee meetings. Furthermore, I have developed so much professionally and socially, whether that means developing lesson plans or gaining experience with leadership skills.
At Dartmouth, there is an undergraduate requirement for language; after all, it is the liberal arts! Fulfilling this requirement looks different for various people and I will focus on my experience.
Traditionally, Dartmouth students take three courses during a term, but I decided to take four courses this term! Learn about course load and the academic system at Dartmouth.
As I approach the halfway mark of my Dartmouth journey this spring, I find myself reflecting on the significance of distributive and world culture requirements in shaping my academic experience.
This is my final term before senior year, which is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. One thing I am excited about is the classes I am taking this term, so let me tell you more!
