Hello there! My name is Shuyi and I'm a '23, which means it's my senior year here at Dartmouth! Follow me for my last year at Dartmouth as I reflect upon my college experience. 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!
At Dartmouth, taking a language goes far beyond what you learn in the classroom. Students experience drill, an exercise where a student who is native in the language being taught gets together with the class to practice speaking skills. There are also several immersive study abroad opportunities where students can study in Paris, Rome, Beijing, and more. Finally, the language departments host several events that students can attend to enrich their cultural learning. This week, the French and Italian departments hosted a visit to the Hood Museum at Dartmouth. There, we had the opportunity to discover and learn more about Francophone art.
Femmes du Maroc #23
The night started at a display that showcased two photos, which both showed a figure wrapped in clothing. None of the figure's features were recognizable, and the two images had Arabic writing on both the background and foreground. We were later told that these two images were a part of a collection named "Les Femmes du Maroc #23." We were instructed to observe the two images for a long time, as research has shown that the average person only spends a few seconds at each display. As we shared our thoughts, we were given more information on the piece's origins, meaning, and background. It was amazing to hear from other students who had more knowledge about art than me. I also appreciated having someone who worked at the museum there who talked to us about how they got the piece and why they chose to display it. Over time, I noticed things I had not initially seen, which showed me the value of looking at a piece of artwork for a longer time.
My group observing our artwork!
After walking around more, we split into groups and were each assigned a piece of art. My group analyzed a wooden bowl, a celebratory piece from Haiti. I was once again amazed by how we could piece together where the artwork came from and what it represented by spending a long time analyzing small details. Other groups looked at pieces that were centuries old, and it was special that we were given access to these rare and beautiful artworks. The event was wonderfully hosted and gave me an opportunity to hang out with friends while learning more about Francophone culture. My visit to the museum gave me a new perspective on how to interact with art, introduced me to some interesting Francophone pieces, and also gave me some extra credit for my class!
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!
