Sunrike

Joanna Jou

Class of 2026
Joanna connect with a student
Bio 

Hey there! My name is Joanna Jou, a '26 from El Paso, TX. I love Hanover sunsets, relaxing out on The Green, and the Starbucks in downtown Hanover. I'm beyond stoked to have y'all follow along my Dartmouth journey!

Academic Program 

History and Asian Studies, International Studies Minor

Favorite Thing Right Now 

The Sauna at Alumni Gym

Hometown 

El Paso, TX

Pronouns 

she/her/hers

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Joanna's D-Plan

What's a D-Plan?

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: COLT 31.03 Poetry After War

      A discussion-based class co-taught by two notable professors in the Russian and German translation/scholar community. We read a series of poems and short stories written by poets who lived under totalitarian regimes (specifically in Germany and the Soviet Union) while examining the role poetry played in communicating trauma and the living of life.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ECON 1 The Price System: Analysis, Problems, and Policies

      Coming in with no economics background, ECON 1 is an introductory class that explores how individuals and firms make independent choices, how it is reflected in the market place while analyzing it through consumer and producer perspectives, and exploring the theories involved in resource allocation and output determination. Taught by the amazing Dr. Ha Yan Lee, her dedication to the class and her students made me excited to come to her lectures, office hours, and to continue taking classes in the economics department.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 7.36 The Green New Deal: A History

      As a freshman, we are required to complete a seminar course as part of our first-year writing sequence. With a variety of departments to choose from, I elected a course on the Green New Deal with the history department since I wanted to explore the department a little more. As a discussion-based class, the way Professor Link structured his course and how he led discussions undoubtedly became the highlight of my spring term; not only did I learn some history and improved my writing along the way, but it also encouraged me to pursue the history major (and more classes with him).

    • SummerEl Paso, TX

      Back home for the summer in Texas as I spend time with my family, focus on my mental and physical well-being, and start a new role with the Admissions Office as an Admissions Communications Intern!

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ANTH 50.49 Anthropology of Museums

      Initially taking this course to fulfill my distributive requirement, I ended up really enjoying ANTH 50.49. Although I am a self-proclaimed museum enthusiast, I didn't think to inquire about the development or evolution of museums, which is why I thought this course would also be interesting to take. Nevertheless, Professor Meredith Ferguson '08 did a lovely job in shedding light on various angles in the museum world such as its natural history, curating/conserving, "heritage", repatriation and restitution, and public trust. In addition, we wrapped up the course by finally thinking about the future of museums, and their representation in society today.

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: GOVT 4 Politics of the World

      I initially took this course purely out of interest as I didn't have any prior experience with the government department. Nevertheless, Politics of the World is the reason why I've decided to pursue a government minor. Taught through a comparative lens, I quickly realized that much of my academics interests lie at the intersection between comparative politics and international relations; thus, this course served as an intellectually stimulating and enriching experience, which made it a highlight of my winter term.

    • SpringHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 72 Nationalism and Revolution in China

      I was immediately drawn to this course just by the title. To put it simply—wow, just wow. Through studying two centuries of wars, reforms, and revolutions, I've gained a deep understanding of Chinese nationalism, not just as part of national history, but also how it was carried overseas by an array of influential characters. Professor Yi Lu is one of the kindest, most genuine, accommodating, and thought-provoking professors I've had a pleasure to know and learn from at Dartmouth!

    • SummerThe Baltic countries: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia

      Favorite Class: GOVT 96.04 Politics of Democratization, Identity, and Regime Change in the Baltics

      Studied abroad in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with the government department! As post-Soviet countries, the Baltic states have become democratic success stories after major political and social transformations. This government seminar—taught by the program director—featured a variety of guest lecturers and excursions exploring the concept of democracy, its pathway and development in the Baltics, and the region's future given its geopolitical significance at the forefront of potential global conflict.

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: HIST 26 The Vietnam War

      As I prepared to go to Vietnam as part of the ASCL Developing Vietnam Fall+ study abroad program, I decided to concurrently enroll in the Vietnam War history course, which was also taught by my abroad program director, Professor Edward Miller. While the Vietnam War was undeniably a major domestic and global event, this class examined the war in the context of Vietnamese history, dating back to the origins of the war in Indochina’s colonial era. As a discussion-based class, I really enjoyed the various primary sources curated, which featured Vietnamese sources and perspectives at the center of analysis. Additionally, Professor Miller is one of the most brilliant and kind individuals I’ve had the privilege to study under!

    • WinterHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: ASCL 51.11 Religions of Vietnam

      After completing my study abroad in Vietnam, I was drawn to take this class taught by Professor Sara Swenson, a scholar in Buddhist charity practices and networks in Vietnam. “Religions of Vietnam” was approached through an ethnographic lens, examining how religious traditions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Cao Dai, and spirit religions are practiced and embraced across Vietnamese communities in both a localized or diasporic level—and how these traditions/practices shape identity and power beyond the country’s socialist context. Professor Swenson is simply brilliant, and I am glad I had the opportunity to learn from her; her teaching has been profoundly impactful in shaping my global understandings of Vietnam and the complex intersection between religion, socio-political structures, and national identity.

    • SpringEl Paso, TX

      Spent my off term interning remotely for the Better World Campaign (BWC), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization based in Washington DC, that advocates for stronger relations between the United States and the United Nations. This internship was funded by the Dickey Center for International Understanding; and I'm very honored to have had the opportunity to learn about peacekeeping initiatives, legislative and social outreach, and witness all the more impactful work done by the BWC and the United Nations Foundation.

    • SummerArlington, VA

      Interning at the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training—an independent, non-profit organization that houses the world’s largest diplomatic oral history collection—based at the Foreign Service Institute. Given my experience working with oral history at the Dartmouth Digital History Initiative with Professor E. Miller, I was excited to be continuing my work with digital humanities outside of Hanover.

    • FallHanover, NH

      Favorite Class: INTS 80.06 Multilateralism and U.S. Leadership (?)

      During course election, I was immediately drawn to this senior seminar since I spent my junior spring interning for the Better World Campaign, an NGO focused on U.S. relations with the United Nations. I loved my time at BWC, so I saw this course as an extension to what I had learned, especially as I begin preparing for post grad careers and thinking about my long term goals. Taught by Ambassador Jeffery DeLaurentis—a career Foreign Service Officer and former U.S. ambassador to both the United Nations and Cuba—INTS 80.06 was nothing short of lovely. Over the course of the term, we discussed the principal components of a rules-based international order and examined the roles and competencies of several multilateral organizations that underpin the order, with particular emphasis on the UN Security Council. I can go on and on about how much I enjoyed every aspect of this course, but to put it succinctly: what a privilege it has been to study with a practitioner whose decades of experience and insight truly has captivated me—not only a student, but as a global citizen.

Professor Miller and Joanna sitting down and smiling at a camera
Students lined up on a staircase view listening to Professor Miller speak

The Scholar, the Mentor, the Legend: Professor Edward Miller

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One of my greatest privileges at Dartmouth has been learning from Professor Ed. Miller of the History and Asian Studies departments. Read on to learn more about why he is my favorite professor!

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Posted 05/7/2025 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts

Photo Journal: Winterim 2024 in Vietnam
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This past December, I traveled to Vietnam as part of the "Developing Vietnam" study abroad program! Here is a—little overdue—photo journal of my three weeks in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

  1. No. 1

    Walking Tour of Cholon (Chinatown)

    4 men and 1 woman smiling at the camera while sitting down

    Leaving the hotel at 6:45 am, my class embarked on a 4 hour long walking tour of Vietnam's largest Chinatown in District 5. Pictured are my abroad-mates Garrett, Alan, Christian—and our faculty director, the lovely Professor Ed. Miller! 

  2. No. 2

    The Best Pho Ever!!!

    Pho

    Of course, when in Vietnam, Pho is an absolute must. I learned that there is a distinction between Northern and Southern Pho, which varies in broth, flavor, and toppings; Northern style seems to have a lighter taste with fewer spices, while Southern style has a sweeter and bolder broth packed with more spices and garnishes. After trying both, I found myself being a bigger Southern Pho (pictured above) fan because I preferred the richer taste of the soup in addiiton to it being loaded with various garnishes. Even after returning from Vietnam, my abroad roommate Yvonne and I spent the next few weeks reminiscing about Pho. 

  3. No. 3

    Haidilao Hot Pot in Vietnam

    4 girls and I guy smiling at the camera with hot pot in front of them

    One crucial component "Developing Vietnam" emphasized was teamwork, which included codesigning a term-long research project, followed by fieldwork to be conducted while we were in Vietnam. This program is partnered with Fulbright University Vietnam; so Dartmouth team collaborated with a group of Fulbright students. My partner Robert and I worked closely with 3 Fulbright students—Phuong Anh, Ngan, and Han—over the course of fall term and winterim. Upon arriving in Vietnam, our team kicked off our time together by going out for lunch at Haidilao hot pot!

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Posted 02/27/2025 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts

Photo Journal: Summer 2024 Abroad
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Here is a glimpse of my summer studying abroad in the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—through a photo journal.

  1. No. 1

    Lithuania's Midsummer Festival

    5 men holding pipes to sing and an audience around them
  2. No. 2

    Karsoke in Riga, Latvia

    4 girls singing karoke
  3. No. 3

    Boat Trip to the Liquid Natural Gas terminal in Klaipeda, Lithuania

    Boat passing by the Liquid Natural Gas terminal in Klaipeda, Lithuania
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Posted 10/24/2024 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts
View of Old Town in Vilnius, Lithuania taken from a bell tower

L.E.A.P into the Baltics with Me!

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This past summer, I studied abroad in the Baltic states—Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—with the government department and Irving Institute. Read on to learn more about my first study abroad experience!

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Posted 09/17/2024 at 9:00 AMAll Text Posts

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