Hey all! I'm Batu. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about the cognitive science of design, developmental psychology, aesthetics research, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions about exploring the liberal arts, learning a new language at Dartmouth, cafes in town (one of my favorite blog series dare I say), study abroad programs, and research on campus!
Writing 5 is one of the courses that count towards the first-year writing requirement. The course covered content relating to the self, transformation, and social dynamics relating to majority and minority. Dr. Godley is simply phenomenal. Her instruction was extremely accessible even though she covered intense topics. I could not have enjoyed my Writing 5 more!
Design Thinking was above and beyond my expectations. The course is structured around weekly projects, where we apply different cognitive strategies to cover topics like design principles, human need-finding, brainstorming, scenario building, and visual thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Science covers a variety of fields including psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to provide insight into cognitive processes. This course helped me develop an understanding of all facets of cognitive science and which ones I would be interested in further pursuing as part of my major.
SummerIstanbul, Turkey
I was home during my first summer! A non-exhaustive list of things I've done includes sunbathing, coding my personal blog, and going on runs. #rest #relaxation
Psychology 10 is a deep dive into almost everything you might need to become well-versed in conducting research, analyzing data, and interpreting findings in a statistically sound manner. Professor Pfister is the most approachable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Statistics isn't exactly my forté, but I now feel confident in my stats foundation!
I loved taking this class with Madame Alverde, a professor from Université Toulouse ; Jean Jaures was an incredible experience. She made sure to correct our mistakes on the spot and improve them eloquently.
This course allowed me to explore the intersection of aesthetics and digital media, focusing on how digital environments reshape traditional concepts like materiality and form. I particularly enjoyed comparing human and AI-generated analyses of art and examining the frameworks that shape contemporary digital studies, from visual culture to design philosophy.
SummerHanover, NH
I was on campus pursuing full-time research in the Cognitive Science department. My research focuses on children's capacity to imagine and reason about possibilities!
Here's the cold hard truth. Just like there's no one Dartmouth experience, there isn't a uniform international student experience. Things like native language(s), socioeconomic status, gender, sexual identity, and the political climate in your home country very much influence the way you experience being an international student at Dartmouth. Considering this, I want to dedicate this blog post to how I experience being an international student at Dartmouth when I'm back home (that would be Istanbul, Turkey).
English isn't my native language, and although I do not encounter language barriers at Dartmouth, being back home has changed my paradigm. Suddenly, the primary mode of socialization reverts to your native language. I lose my grip on current issues, slang, and daily discourse every time I go away. My college experience is foreign to most peers and family living and studying in my home country. That inevitably makes me feel foreign in the one place I'm "supposed to" feel at home.
I have gone back and forth between the US and Turkey enough times to figure out my way of navigating these challenges. It is challenging, yet I can also see how proud my loved ones are that I was bold enough to leave everything I have ever claimed to be mine to search for a fulfilling experience like the one I'm having at Dartmouth.
Seeing two different realities makes your world of possibilities grow extensively. My perspective is valued in my community here, and I still feel embraced even though I spend three-fourths of the year in another country. Indeed, I feel like I started to appreciate being home a lot more than before. I actively strive to make the best of my, albeit limited, time here, and that makes for quality memories that I carry with me anywhere I go.
My sister's a theatre enthusiast, so we go to a play together every other week when I'm here.
Obviously, this is my personal experience, so it still does not define how THE international experience unfolds for all. The bottom line is that taking the leap to move across the ocean is a bigger deal than most people give themselves credit for. If you are an international applicant, know that your commitment to apply is an act of courage. Regardless of what college ends up working for you, you will remain a cherished member of your community back home.
Going back and forth between Dartmouth and Istanbul is a unique dance. It requires mastering the steps of adaptation, communication, and self-discovery. While it may be challenging, the beauty lies in the blend of these two worlds, creating a mosaic of experiences that shape not only my college years but also my broader understanding of life.
Some of my rising senior friends from New York have been in contact with me since graduation, and I've compiled a list of FAQs that might help you better understand life at Dartmouth!
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.
