Hi everyone! I'm Rika, a semi-international '28 from Japan, India, and Malaysia. I'm interested in studying women, gender, and sexuality studies, as well as public policy, global health, and biology while also being on the pre med track! In my free time, I love to read books, cook and bake, play violin, spend time with animals, be sarcastic, and drink hot drinks (especially teas!) I'm so excited to share my exploration of Dartmouth with everyone :)
Academic Program
Intended WGSS on the Pre-Health track
Favorite Thing Right Now
Decorating my dorm to make it more homey! Also the FOCO ice cream bar :)
Sex, Gender, and Society is a class in the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) department. It focuses on how gender and sexuality are represented in the media and explores different ways society shapes our perspectives. This discussion-based class features multiple group projects, which allowed me to meet and interact with many of my classmates, which was super helpful in my first term! Fun fact: this class taught me how to plan, film, and edit a podcast on campus!
Okay, of course, we have to start off with the dining hall. I'm a big fan of their desserts, especially the angel food cake, chocolate chip cookies, and the ice cream bar.
But of course, the welcome steak and lobster dinner during orientation was also a highlight meal of the year.
Some FOCO highlights: angel food cake, steak dinner, and the ice cream selection!
Special shout out to late-night at FOCO, which is open from 9:30 PM to 1:30 AM for the perfect midnight snack, specifically pancake night, where we got to try then vote for maple syrups from New Hampshire and Vermont! Obviously, New Hampshire maple syrup was better.
An honorable mention to the absolutely HUGE spice rack we have at Foco!
The Fern @ The Irving Institute
The Fern is probably my favorite on-campus cafe because the building it's attached to is my favorite place to study. But they also have build-your-own parfaits to feed your brain during study breaks and the best pecan sticky buns to satisfy your sweet tooth. I also highly recommend their London Fogs, hot or iced!
Some of the sweet selections from the Fern!
Novack Cafe @ Berry Library
Another study space cafe is found in the prime location of Baker-Berry Library. Novack is actually a Starbucks, so I found myself constantly buying the truly autumn-esq combination of a hot Chai Latte and Cinnamon Roll as I moved between classes.
Still North is one of my favorite spots in town, both because it's a bookstore and because the cafe is so good! My favorites are the Cinnamon Roll, Fudge Brownie, Salami Arugula sandwich, and the Hot London Fog with Maple!
Still North treats!
School House Excursions
Of the six housing communities on campus, I am in School House, and this fall term, they hosted wonderful day trips that always included good food. The cruise on Sunapee Lake featured a buffet feast that ended with cake almost as perfect as the view we had while eating it. On the trip to Mac's Maple, we got to try their crispy donuts and decadent Maple Creamee!
Some amazing School House excursions!
Sushi!!
Sushi can be found in various spots on campus, including the HOP, Collis, Novack, and FOCO. This fall term I had sushi at least once a week. Was I expecting to consume that much sushi at college? Certainly not. But it was a pleasant surprise. My favorite is definitely the Salmon Avocado roll.
The first-year Decibelles (my acapella group) made this adorable Apple Board for our board night! It featured Apples I picked during the School House farm trip, hot caramel, dried apple slices, apple caramel chews, and an adorable apple plushie.
3.) Thompson Arena Cotton Candy
This was bought during the first hockey game I have ever watched, so it was a memorable moment. It was also just a really good batch of cotton candy.
So that's my 24Food Wrapped! I'm curious to see how my 25W will compare!
While many people might associate cold, long, snowy winters with hardship, I've found that winter at Dartmouth is full of potential to be just as fun as other seasons.
