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 :)
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 class was my first English/literature class and it was an absolute BLAST. Professor Jodi Kim provided us with so many interesting texts that explore the nuanced intersections of identity and sexuality, in various Asian American settings. Texts include M. Butterfly, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, and The Necessary Hunger. Our classroom discussions were lively, filled with new and contrasting interpretations of quotes. I highly recommend this class!
SummerBoston, Massachusetts
This summer term, I decided to stay with my parents, who moved to Boston at the end of May! I kicked things off by spending a few weeks training to become a certified nurse assistant (CNA), and after earning my license, I took some time to recharge. I reconnected with family, explored Boston’s best food spots, and went on a few spontaneous trips around the U.S. with friends! Definitely a refreshing and memorable summer!
This was one of the most eye-opening classes I've taken at Dartmouth so far. As the title suggests, it was an introduction to a sector of academia that I had absolutely no experience in. This class taught me more than just what literature exists about disabilities, but also taught me how to think through, see, and understand the world in completely different ways.
This was my very first Quantitative Social Science (QSS) class at Dartmouth, and it's safe to say it was incredible! We dove into all things data; how things are (un)protected, tracked, and several consequences of unsafe data collection on the human race. We had really interesting readings and projects, like our self-tracking and quantification project. I know I'll be using the lessons I learned in this class for the rest of my life!
Becoming a SAPA has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at Dartmouth. SAPA stands for Sexual Assault Peer Alliance, and the group is made up of students who are trained to support peers who may be dealing with experiences of sexual or gender based violence. SAPAs are not counselors or investigators. Instead, our role is to listen, support, and help connect people to resources if they want them.
I trained in the spring of my first year, and honestly, it felt like taking an extra class. We met twice a week for two hours, and each session focused on a different part of what it means to be a SAPA. Some days we talked about communication techniques and how to listen without jumping in to fix things. Other days focused on boundaries and how to take care of ourselves while supporting others. A big part of the training was learning how to sit with uncertainty and let the person you are supporting guide the conversation.
A quick SAPA rundown!
We also had guest speakers from different resources on campus come talk to us about the work they do. People from WISE, the Title IX office, and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center walked us through what their support systems look like and what happens if a student chooses to reach out to them. It helped us understand the full network of resources available so that we can give accurate information if someone asks for help.
One of the most memorable parts of training was the final retreat. We spent the day role-playing different SAPA scenarios, practicing how we might respond, and reflecting together about what felt challenging. It was intense, but also really rewarding. After completing training, we had to pass a written exam before officially becoming SAPAs. It felt like a real milestone because the training had been so thorough and intentional.
Being a SAPA has given me a really grounding community at Dartmouth. It is a space where people take care, language, and responsibility seriously. At the same time, it has given me communication skills that I use every day. I have learned how to listen more carefully, how to ask better questions, how to respect someone else's pace, and how to hold space without making the moment about myself. It has made me a better listener, a more thoughtful communicator, and honestly, a better friend.
More than anything, SAPA has taught me a lot about integrity. Supporting someone in a vulnerable moment requires patience, humility, and trust. It has pushed me to think more deeply about how I show up for the people around me. Out of everything I am involved in on campus, SAPA is definitely the most rewarding. It has challenged me, grounded me, and connected me with some of the most thoughtful people I have met at Dartmouth. It is work that asks a lot from you, but it also gives a lot back.
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Sarah Getraer '26, a studio art major, showed me around her dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
Senior spring is here and it is surreal to reflect on how much my daily routine has evolved. We have just welcomed the Class of 2030, and I am so incredibly excited for the next generation of Dartmouth students to find their home in Hanover!
