你好！Or Hi! My name is Taylor, and I'm a '27! I'm from Beijing, China. I'm hoping to major in Mathematics Modified with Computer Science and minor in Religion. Outside of the classroom, you can find me going on hikes with the Dartmouth Outing club, drawing or crafting at the jewelry studio, or having fun, philosophical conversations with friends!
Academic Program
(Intended) Mathematics Modified with Computer Science, Religion
Coming to Dartmouth with a solid background in French (Delf B2), I find French 3 a perfect fit for me -- it helps me to consolidate a lot of key grammar and vocabs, and fun weekly cultural activities like coffee hours and french lunch table offers me chances to relax in busy times. While the class is very rigorous and requires a lot of hard work, my professor is so nice and makes the class very fun! I also look forward to going to Dartmouth's Toulouse LSA program after completion of this class!
This course explores how Buddhist concepts of embodiment affect daily life and society in Southeast Asian contexts, and how the intersection of religion, sexuality, and gender impact broader understandings of authority, wisdom, beauty, death, and loyalty. The class takes on many forms beyond mere lectures -- a visit to the Hood Museum of Art, mindfulness practices, and small Buddha-crafting projects. Our professor (the sweetest Prof. MK Long) also invites many of her colleagues at other institutes as guest lecturers to our class so that we can learn from real experts specializing in different countries in Southeast Asia. I have learned a lot from the class and decided to become a religion major after this course!
Having never enjoyed math classes before college, I'm surprised (again) by how I'm becoming a math major and falling in love with math here! My professor (Prof. Shu Longmei, who graduated from the best university in my hometown) is incredibly good at teaching the concepts -- not just explaining things clearly but also showing us the beauty and elegance of calculus. I really look forward to taking more math classes in the future!
SummerVietnam & Beijing, China
I first visited pagodas in Vietnam for a couple of weeks and had days of conversations with monastics! Then, I returned home to savor time spent with my family and old friends, focus on my mental and physical health, and study and work a bit.
How do Dartmouth Students Spend their First Summer? (Part 2)
Research Opportunities
Dartmouth provides a wealth of research opportunities for students during the summer. Many of my friends who opt to stay on campus for the summer term are participating as research assistants in faculty-led projects. They are involved in part-time research assistantship programs such as URAD (Undergraduate Research Assistantships at Dartmouth). One of my friends, an aspiring computer science major, will be taking part in the E.E. Just Summer Internship Program. This program offers Dartmouth students the chance to engage in full-time research with Dartmouth faculty across a 10-week period. Another friend of mine, who has a keen interest in the humanities, will be conducting ethnographic research in Sichuan, China. This opportunity comes after her class in Ethnography and Religion, which provides her with the necessary academic skills for field research. Her project is supported by the Leslie Center for Humanities Research Grant and the Thomas D. Sayles Research Grant from the Ethics Institute.
A photo of the Great Wall taken by Professor Yan during one Beijing LSA+ program
Study Abroad/On-Campus Term
Summer term at Dartmouth offers transformative opportunities for study abroad, with popular options including the Language Study Abroads (LSA+) in Beijing, Berlin, and Rome. As a Beijinger myself, I'm particularly excited to welcome my friends to my hometown! Opting for study abroad during summer is an attractive choice since later academic years may require committing to internships, which can limit the opportunity to participate in these enriching experiences.
Additionally, some of my peers choose to spend their summer taking classes on campus. This decision may be driven by a desire to complete distributive requirements sooner, graduate early, or simply to take extra time to explore their interests and prepare more thoroughly for future internships or research opportunities. Whether it's venturing abroad or staying on campus, spending the summer at Dartmouth can be incredibly rewarding.
When asked about my favorite term at Dartmouth, I'll enthusiastically answer, "Sophomore Summer!" Whether it's the enhanced beauty or community on campus, one aspect stands out as the highlight of my term: the start of summer dance ensembles!
Coming back to Dartmouth for my senior year, I have been loving pursuing my major. However, what I love about the liberal arts education is that you can take classes for interest far beyond any classes in your major.
For those who want to attend medical school after their undergraduate education, the infrastructure of a "pre-med" track is an important factor when choosing a school to apply to. Here's how the premed experience has been for me at Dartmouth!
