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

You are here

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.

« All Posts by this Blogger

Photo Journal: Fall 2023

All reactions: 5 4 3 2
Add a Reaction
           

Although I blogged less this term, I wanted to share some snapshots of the various moments throughout my sophomore fall!

  1. No. 1

    First Pine Park Walk of the Term

    Photo of Joanna and Becca at Pine Park

    During freshman spring, I started going on various walks throughout campus and Hanover with my friends Becca and Lauren. As soon as we were all back on campus, we decided to go on a walk to Pine Park after not being on campus for the summer. I love my walks with Becca and Lauren as we always get to decompress and relax, so I was excited for our first walk back before it got cold in Hanover. 

  2. No. 2

    Welcoming New Bloggers!

    0.5x taken selfie with new bloggers of this fall

    My fellow Admissions Communications Intern Lauren and I decided to plan a morning breakfast for our new bloggers! This special breakfast entailed a very early morning, and help from our boss Kevin. 

  3. No. 3

    President Beilock’s Inauguration

    Sian Beilock Inauguration

    I had the opportunity to attend President Beilock's inauguration as Dartmouth's 19th president, and first woman president in the Wheelock Succession! I was really excited to be on campus during this historic moment since it isn't every year, or every couple of years that your college elects a new president. As I was a first-year during President Hanlon's last year as president of the College, I'm really lucky to see the transition into a new leadership team for the next few years.

  4. No. 4

    Gile Hike of the Term

    Gile Foliage selfie on the fire tower

    One of my favorite primetime freshman fall experiences was definitely hiking Gile Mountain. My boyfriend did not hike Gile last fall, so I thought it would be fun to hike Gile this year together. There is a firetower that takes you many elevations up, where you can see a gorgeous 360 degree view of the trees and foliage. Although I've hiked Gile quite a few times already, I always look forward to the sunset at Gile, and appreciate my surroundings a little bit more!

  5. No. 5

    My Favorite Visitor in Hanover

    My mom at pine breakfast

    My beautiful mom got to visit me in Hanover for a few days, which I was so excited about. Since I was on campus two weeks early for First Year Trips, I was feeling a bit homesick already, so I was incredibly excited my mom had the opportunity to come visit me this term and see the New England fall. While we went to a variety of restaurants in Hanover and around the Upper Valley, our favorite was the breakfast at Pine Restaurant. Our server introduced us to a jalapeño maple siracha sauce, which we were absolutely obsessed with. 

  6. No. 6

    Homecoming Bonfire

    Photo in front of the homecoming bonfire

    Dartmouth traditions are always an exciting time. This year, as the community welcomed the Class of 2027, one thing was different: I was on the outer ring of the bonfire, and not walking a lap around it this time as all first year students do. Although there was light rain the entire day of Bonfire Night, that didn't stop the bonfire from lighting up; I'm really glad I got to celebrate my second Homecoming as we welcomed the new incoming class!

  7. No. 7

    When in Boston

    Photo of me posing on Dartmouth Street in Boston

    As a spontaneous trip with my friend Julian, we decided to attend the Dartmouth vs. Harvard football game in Cambridge. Our day leading up to attending the game was unplanned as we roamed around Boston and Cambridge especially looking for good eats. Some eateries we came across include Black Sheep Bagel Cafe, Sweetgreens, and Seoul Topokki. 

  8. No. 8

    Annual New Haven Visit

    Polaroid scanned photo of Joanna and Julia

    The following week after Boston, I had a planned weekend in New Haven to visit my lovely friend Julia, whom I met through the Dartmouth Bound fly-in program in high school. Last fall, I came down to New Haven for a quick visit, so I thought to come visit her again this year as a weekend trip. We often reminisce about our high school selves as we have supported each other through the college application journey, entering college, and now as sophomores in college.

Posted 12/1/2023 at 9:00 AMAll List Posts

Posts You Might Like

Visit the Blog