Hey all! So excited to see you here. My name is Sydney and I'm a '24 passionate about energy, education, the environment, and economic policy. I grew up in Southern California, but have also lived abroad in Gibraltar, Spain, and the Philippines. When not blogging or working at McNutt as a Senior Admissions Fellow, you can catch me involved in the Dartmouth Energy Alliance, Energy Justice Clinic, and Greek Life. I hope my blog can give you a window into Dartmouth from a student's perspective.
Academic Program
Majors in Economics and Environmental Studies, Minor in International Studies
Taught by Professor Tine, this class focused on many interdisciplinary topics within the field of education. I loved learning about the significance of early pre-K interventions on long-term behaviors, the layered complexities of the American public school system, the neuroscience behind how the brain processes new information, and much more!
As someone interested in international studies, this course opened my eyes to the complex world of global health – both the biological and social sides of achieving equity. I found this class especially applicable given the COVID-19 pandemic and often transfer knowledge from Global Health & Society into my everyday life.
Searching for Justice is a perfect blend of studying literature and law. Highlights from this course include an op-ed I produced on anti-Asian hate crimes and a fictional short story adaptation based on Japanese internment camps from Korematsu v. United States. This first-year seminar exposed me to many different court cases, and I’m now strongly considering a future career in law!
SummerClaremont, California
I spent my summer back home in Southern California, working at my high school alma mater as a Summer Fellow for their Junior Scholars program. I had a wonderful time designing curriculum for the Journalism program, planning activities for middle schoolers, and providing support in the dorms. I also spent quality time with my cousins and bonded with family by the beach.
I am an aquaphile, a lover of all things related to the water. This environmental studies course on Marine Policy was perfect for me because it dove into how humans have impacted the oceans. From coastal development to deep sea mining, we explored how to think like a policymaker and consider the many different stakeholders involved in global marine issues.
Wow, the Practice of Science Policy and Diplomacy was a blast! I was eager to get to class early every day for this Public Policy seminar. Professor Burkins introduced me to writing effective policy memos, participating in a Model Arctic Council simulation, and presenting our SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy recommendations with a state coalition.
Energy Justice examined issues of culture, power, and inequity in the necessary shift away from fossil fuels. Taught as a Social Impact Practicum, this class deepened my interest in pursuing a career in energy and environmental law. During junior year, I’m excited to continue working with Professor Kelly as a Presidential Scholar researching justice and accountability in corporate energy systems.
During my Sophomore Summer, I really enjoyed studying food systems and accessing Dartmouth’s Organic Farm as our lab for Professor Ong’s Agroecology course. It was an incredible New England summer experience learning to visualize data in R, conducting fieldwork outdoors, and working as a team on scientific research projects. A term highlight was tasting freshly tapped maple syrup from Dartmouth’s very own Sugar Crew!
I was one of six Dartmouth Economics exchange students at University College London this term. All four of my modules—UCL’s equivalent of classes—gave me a new perspective on Economics and Geography through a British lens. Economic History was my favorite as we studied industrialization, the demographic transition, and the East Asian economic miracle after World War II. I grew a deep appreciation for how the events of our past can offer important lessons for us today and into the future.
WinterNew York, New York
Since Dartmouth students typically spend their Sophomore Summer on campus, the D-Plan allows us to take a different term off to develop personally and professionally. I spent my off-term working as a corporate legal assistant intern at a law firm in New York City. It was such a thrill to live and work in the Big Apple! With many fellow Dartmouth '24s also in the NYC area, my days out of the office were full of yummy food, catching up with old friends, and exploring iconic city sights.
Drawing upon disciplines like law, psychology, and popular culture, Writing and Speaking Public Policy was all about becoming more persuasive communicators. Professor Kalish provided us with such thoughtful, detailed feedback on our assignments and arranged for class field trips to the Jones Media Center and Hood Museum of Art. I especially enjoyed the flexibility offered for our small group media campaign project, where I created a children’s book on the benefits of bringing universal pre-K to New Hampshire.
SummerMystic, Connecticut
During my junior summer, I interned as a Yale Conservation Scholar at Mystic Aquarium. Working in the Education & Conservation department, I mentored high school interns about marine science communication and public engagement. Besides attending weekly professional development workshops with the Yale School of the Environment, I also helped out with summer camps, traveling classroom programs, and citizen science projects.
I traveled to Southern Africa for the first time with Dartmouth’s Environmental Studies FSP. From conducting research on invertebrate diversity in the Namib Desert to speaking with community members at Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy, we studied Namibia's socio-ecological systems. Highlights from this incredible trip include experiencing game drives at Etosha National Park, discussing ecotourism at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and learning about Namibia’s integrated coastal zone management approach with government officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Econometrics was a pleasant surprise! While I came into this statistics-heavy course without a Stata coding background, Professor Fetter’s amazing explanations helped me feel confident about the new material. I learned so much about the assumptions required for causality and now feel equipped with the analytical tools to evaluate Economic research papers in an entirely different light.
Off to London We Go! My Dartmouth-UCL Exchange Experience
This fall, I've had the opportunity to study abroad at University College London (UCL) through an economics exchange program. Soaking up a new culture in the bustling UK capital, I've learned a lot—not only about economics, but also about myself.
I hadn't been in London since I was four years old, so I was super thrilled when I found out I was accepted into this program during my sophomore spring term. To prepare for our arrival, I attended the Guarini Institute for International Education's info-session Zoom during summer term along with a meeting with our program-specific student alumni mentor Grace. These sessions were especially helpful as our cohort of six were advised on course selection, housing arrangements, adapting to a new environment, and other helpful tips for studying abroad.
My study abroad experience started off a bit unconventionally because a leg injury in early September put me in a splint for six weeks. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, the staff at Dartmouth's Guarini Institute and UCL's Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing team were extremely supportive and accommodating as I prepared for my delayed arrival in London.
Hot pot with my friends Adri '24 (LSE Government FSP) and Bernardo '24 (Berlin German LSA)
Although I missed Hanover's gorgeous fall foliage, studying abroad in London has been one of my most memorable terms yet! A change in pace from Dartmouth's rural charm, my term has consisted of finding yummy international restaurants and cafés within walking distance of my dorm and visiting iconic city landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Big Ben. I've found the joy of reading books for pleasure, taking long walks around Regent's Park, watching the World Cup, and sipping on British afternoon tea with friends. As the days grew shorter, I've enjoyed the festive Christmas decorations lighting up every street corner.
London is by far the most popular destination amongst Dartmouth juniors studying abroad, with a total of 38 students in our "Fall in England" GroupMe. This exchange program has allowed me to grow closer with Dartmouth students in my cohort as well as make unforgettable memories with those from the Government London School of Economics FSP and the History UCL FSP. I took the Eurostar to Paris with my dad in October and am looking forward to flying to Ireland with some Dartmouth friends next week.
Paris, France is just a two-hour Eurostar journey away from London.
The Louvre at night is absolutely stunning.
And of course, the academics! When applying, I was not aware that Dartmouth's exchange students would be on a pass/fail system, but I was pleasantly surprised as it has allowed me to focus on the learning process without the stress of grades. At UCL, I am taking four classes: Economics of the Public Sector, Economic History, An Introduction to Applied Economic Analysis, and a Geography module called Urban Political Ecology where we blog about a chosen city (you can read mine about Manila here!). The four course credits will transfer towards my Dartmouth graduation requirements—two of which count as electives toward my Economics major, and one of which goes towards my Environmental Studies major as a core course.
The next step in my D-Plan is to take my junior winter off interning as a legal assistant with a law firm in New York City. I will miss London dearly, but I will cherish my exchange experience for life and am excited for what the future holds in the Big Apple!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at UCL!
From orientation week to your classes, you can easily find community at Dartmouth! Read on to know how I met my Dartmouth family and where you might also find yours.
