Hello! My name is Cal Shin, and I am a '27 planning to double-major in Economics and Philosophy. Outside of academics and blogging, you can find me drawing (perhaps even designing for The Dartmouth), hosting my radio show as a proud deejay at WebDCR, perusing the Free Market, or hanging out with friends. Ultimately, I am an artist and a storyteller. I hope you enjoy reading about my Dartmouth experience; the journey has just begun!
I took this course with Professor James Binkoski and loved it! I had never taken a philosophy course prior to Dartmouth, so this introductory course in the department was perfect! After all, it combined my interests of philosophy with time and time travel — at least, how time and time travel are depicted in the media. This course may initially seem to be on the more technical side, but Professor Binkoski made sure to break down the various time travel theories — various ways scientists and philosophers think of time and its supposed movement — in a manner that’s easy for anyone to understand. A very popular course overall; I am fortunate to have been able to take it during my first term here!
I took this course with Professor Ha Yan Lee and it was absolutely amazing! I had my initial reservations about this course, mainly because I knew a lot of my classmates would have had some background knowledge while I had none. Professor Lee did a wonderful job of breaking down concepts in a manner that, as she often put it, is easy for even “your grandparents to understand”. Even beyond the course, the level of care Professor Lee exhibited towards her students is significant. She’s one of the most popular professors at Dartmouth, and for good reason! I ate lunch with her at The Pine through the Take a Faculty Member to Lunch program, and she gave me tremendous insight and advice! Because of this course, I have been inspired to explore more courses within the Econ department and potentially major in Economics.
I took this course with Professor Jasmina Savic and examined how the vampire figure evolved over time, starting with Slavic literature, going through Dracula and Twilight, and ending with “vampire” political figures. I realized what the portrayal of vampires could tell me about the thoughts of that society, including the fact that the early notions of vampirism are akin to modern-day diseases. For my final project, I wrote a research paper comparing the gumiho (the Korean nine-tailed fox) to several Western vampires.
SummerNew York City, New York
I had the opportunity to visit New York City for the summer! I met up with a good friend of mine, explored the city itself, and went to a networking event with other college students.
ECON 10 is one of the required courses for the Economics major. Based on my stellar experience with Professor Ha Yan Lee during ECON 1, when I saw that she was teaching ECON 10 this term, I immediately jumped at the chance to take the course with her. Once again, Professor Lee did an amazing job of breaking down concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. (The fact that her slideshows were colorful and featured various pictures of cats helped.)
Throughout the summer's slow passage of time, I couldn't help but feel drawn towards Dartmouth. Despite — or maybe because of — experiencing a year at this wonderfully quaint, small college, Hanover kept calling my name. The passage of time at Dartmouth is somehow different from anywhere else. There are a mix of emotions that arise with the beautiful (and beautifully agonizing) experiences of Dartmouth, whether it be during the bone-chilling yet delightful annual snowball fight on the Green, desperately trying to find a study spot during finals week, or relaxing outside at the slightest hint of warm, sunny weather. As memories of walking around campus while basking in the perfect mixture of suburban feel, pines, and the ever-present buzz of construction arose, I couldn't help but answer.
Soon, Dartmouth. I will see you so soon.
As I stepped onto campus, I quickly became rejuvenated by the scent of the brisk, blissfully pollen-free air of New Hampshire. Dartmouth was no longer calling my name, beckoning me to come. Instead, the College welcomed me with open arms.
I am home.
September marks the beginning of a new academic year. I previously reflected on my first year at Dartmouth and realized just how much I have grown and changed in that year alone. I expect nothing less during my second year here, and I look forward to all that Dartmouth has to offer.
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
