Work, Travel, Repeat!
Dartmouth offers a myriad of undergraduate research opportunities, allowing students from all years to dive into their fields of interest. In my first fall, I applied to the Women In Science Project (WISP), a two-term research program designed for first and second-year women. With just one term of coding experience from my Introduction to Programming and Computation course, I was thrilled to be matched with a professor in the computer science department. This was the beginning of my research journey at Dartmouth, and I've been immersed in it ever since!
After WISP, I contacted Professor Murnane in the computer science and engineering department to explore further research opportunities. She introduced me to graduate students in her Empower Research Lab, and I applied for a research scholarship. Initially, I joined the Lovelace Research Program, which supports students working with computer science faculty for one term. To extend my research, I turned to The Undergraduate Advising & Research (UGAR) programs, which offer various scholarships, including part-time assistantships, research grants, conference grants, and two-year programs. Staying on campus this term qualifies me for UGAR's Undergraduate Research Assistantships at Dartmouth (URAD) program. By taking these steps, I became an undergraduate research assistant in the Empower Research Lab, focusing on VR (virtual reality) design and development for human interaction. So for the past four weeks of my summer "off-term" (not taking classes), I've been working on exciting projects like a VR exhibition and the application of VR to healthcare.
In addition to my research, I recently had the chance to visit New York for a networking event. An older student interning at the company referred me to this event, highlighting the strong alumni and student connections at Dartmouth. My friend and I drove to New York City from Dartmouth, a five-hour trip filled with fast food stops. For those without a car, there are also coach buses that travel directly from Dartmouth to New York City and Boston. As an international student recruiting for software engineering roles, attending networking events at tech companies is crucial for getting my name recognized by recruiters, especially given the potential visa status challenges.
After the three-hour networking event, my friend and I indulged in a late dinner at Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao, a Michelin-recommended soup dumpling restaurant. Before heading back, we treated ourselves to an all-you-can-eat feast at 99 Favor Taste, a Korean BBQ and hot pot restaurant. The food was delicious, and the experience was a fantastic way to cap off a refreshing and productive trip.