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-health 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!
In this class, we explored the different contemporary meanings of the 4 concepts; love, romance, intimacy and dating. What did they look like at Dartmouth? How were they represented or defined in scholarly research? Why are they important to the world and human interaction? Our classes consisted of thoughtful discussions, insightful lectures, and even primary research. The final project was a research paper that featured the data we collected as a class. It was a wonderful course that introduced me to the world of sociology and qualitative research!
This past weekend was the perfect little getaway, filled with friendship, sports, and scenic views. My high school friend Angel, who now goes to college in Boston, invited me to visit and catch a Boston Bruins hockey game with her. Since we're just a few hours apart and the Dartmouth Coach makes the trip so easy and comfortable, I jumped at the chance for a change of pace.
I hopped on the Dartmouth Coach Friday afternoon, and the ride down was peaceful—I even got to watch the sun begin to set as we rolled into the city. Once I arrived, Angel and I met up for dinner at Cava, where we caught up over our favorite bowls. It was such a cozy moment to reconnect after the rush of midterms. Afterward, we headed back to her dorm, where I'd be staying for the weekend.
Angel and I at Cava!
Later that night, we took the T to TD Garden to watch the Boston Bruins face off against the Vancouver Canucks. It was my very first NHL game, but thanks to the electric energy of Dartmouth Hockey, I already had a growing love for the sport. The arena was massive and completely packed with cheering fans—it was impossible not to get swept up in the excitement. Throughout the game, I picked up fun hockey lingo like "power play" and "icing" from the big-screen explainer videos. One of the highlights was definitely getting featured on the jumbotron during the fan cam moments—Angel and I couldn't stop laughing! Even though the Bruins lost, we left the stadium with hoarse voices and huge smiles, having yelled and cheered our hearts out with the rest of the crowd.
TD Garden set up for a Bruins Game!
Saturday brought a slower, more scenic vibe. We started the day with brunch at a charming café in downtown Boston, then drove out to Manchester-by-the-Sea, a stunning coastal town on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Our friend Joanna, a fellow Dartmouth '28, lives there and offered to show us around. The town felt like a postcard—quaint streets, bobbing sailboats in the harbor, and classic New England homes with shingled roofs and sea-weathered charm. We sampled local clam chowder, shared ice cream cones, and strolled along the beach. Although the weather was still a bit brisk, the coastline was beautifully lit by the late afternoon sun, and the view at sunset was breathtaking.
Brunch!
Joanna and I at the Beach!
After our mini road trip, we returned to Boston and wrapped up the night with a delicious mix of Raising Cane's and J.P. Licks—crispy chicken followed by creamy ice cream, the best of both worlds. It was the perfect way to end our day of exploring.
Raising Cane's!
Sunday morning came too quickly, and before I knew it, I was back on the Dartmouth Coach, headed home to Hanover. But as I stared out the window, sipping coffee and watching the scenery pass by, I felt incredibly grateful. Even though Angel and I now attend schools in different states, weekends like this remind me how easy it is to stay close with the people who matter. And I left Boston with a full heart, already dreaming of our next reunion!
As a practicing Christian, my faith has always been the foundation of my life. Coming into college, I didn't want to lose that essential part of my identity. I wanted to deepen it. That's when I found Cru — and it changed everything.
