Reng Zhao, a graduate student in the MALS program, used the Alumni Research Award to to support a cross-cultural research project exploring calligraphy as both a creative practice and a way of understanding language, history, and identity.
What program are you in, and what drew you to this field of study?
I am currently a student in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) program, focusing on the creative writing concentration. My path to this field was driven by a desire to move beyond amateur storytelling to a professional level.
What specifically drew me to the MALS program at Dartmouth was its unique dual-nature: it offers an interdisciplinary framework that allows me to broaden my academic horizons horizontally across various humanities subjects, while simultaneously providing a specialized, vertical path to refine my craft as a writer.
This structure is invaluable for a creative writer because it recognizes that great literature is informed by history, philosophy, and culture. The opportunity to engage in high-level research while developing my unique narrative voice provided the perfect environment for my growth as a writer.
Where do you consider your hometown, and how has your background or early experiences influenced your path into your field of study?
My hometown is Shanghai, China, a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that embraces diverse cultures. This multicultural atmosphere allowed me to grow up surrounded by a tapestry of global languages and perspectives.
My mother fostered my love for storytelling from a young age by exposing me to different genres of literature. Growing up, she also nurtured my imagination with her own fairy tales, but it was a period of profound personal loss during my adolescence that truly led me to writing.
The consecutive passing of beloved family members left an aching pain that I struggled to navigate until I discovered that writing was a powerful outlet for emotional healing. This transformative experience made me realize that storytelling is a vital human necessity. From that moment on, I committed myself to becoming a writer who captures the complexities of the human heart.
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree, and how did your academic journey lead you to Dartmouth?
I earned my undergraduate degree in English at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. During my studies, I took several creative writing courses such as Introduction to English literature and fiction writing, where I completed my first English personal essays and short stories in English.
These courses allowed me to peer behind the curtain and understand how professional authors construct narrative tension and thematic depth. I realized that I was no longer satisfied with testing the waters of the literary world. I sought a graduate program where I could study writing at a professional level within a place characterized by intellectual curiosity and creative support.
Dartmouth’s reputation for a nurturing writing community made the MALS program my first choice. I knew that the college’s unique resources would provide the perfect soil for my creative projects to take root and flourish.
What excites you about your research?
My current research is a creative non-fiction project centered on the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. I have studied calligraphy since I was seven and this project is deeply personal and cultural. What excites me most is the opportunity to introduce a 5,000-year-old tradition, an art form that carries the culture of my people to a cross-cultural audience through a personal lens.
Through my writing, I explore how calligraphy is far more than just “beautiful writing”; it is a meditative practice and a profound cultural link that has shaped my personality and worldview. I am thrilled by the challenge of illustrating how the rhythmic movement of the brush and the flow of the ink serve as a bridge for cross-cultural communication, allowing readers from diverse backgrounds to experience the discipline and aesthetic beauty that calligraphy has brought to my life.
Which faculty members are you collaborating with on your research, and how have their mentorship or research perspectives shaped your approach?
I am primarily collaborating with Professor Kreiger, whose mentorship has been a cornerstone of my graduate experience. Her guidance has been instrumental in helping me overcome the “curse of knowledge”, the challenge of writing about a specialized subject like calligraphy for a general audience.
Professor Kreiger provides a vital external perspective, highlighting areas where I might take cultural nuances for granted. She has taught me how to weave historical facts and technical details into a personal memoir so that the project feels like a living story rather than a dry instruction manual.
By acting as a meticulous reader, she provides feedback that helps me refine the material I gather during my field research. Her insights have pushed me to dig deeper into my own motivations, helping me reorganize my observations into a more vivid, emotionally resonant, and structured narrative that speaks to the universal human experience of art.
How will the Alumni Research Award help advance your current project, and what new possibilities will it create for your upcoming field and lab work?
The Alumni Research Award has provided the essential support needed to conduct extensive field research back in China and it is proving transformative to my project. Writing about an art form as tactile as calligraphy requires a deep engagement with its physical origins.
Thanks to this award, I was able to travel to historical sites and traditional factories to study the “Four Treasures of the Study,” the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. I had the rare opportunity to interview master artisans and personally experience the labor-intensive process of ink-making and papermaking.
These first-hand accounts have added a layer of authenticity and sensory detail to my manuscript that would have been impossible to achieve through library research alone.
Looking forward, the prestige and support of this award may also open doors for me to engage in direct dialogues with contemporary calligraphy masters, further enriching my project and creating new possibilities for cross-cultural artistic exchange.
Why did you choose Dartmouth to pursue your degree?
I chose Dartmouth because it stands out for its distinguished faculty and top-tier resources. As a writer, I needed a program that wouldn’t confine me to a rigid track, and Dartmouth’s MALS program provides the flexibility to tailor my curriculum to my specific interests in literature, art history, and creative practice.
The institution’s commitment to interdisciplinary study ensures that I am not just learning how to write but learning what to write about by engaging with a broad spectrum of ideas. Here, I am afforded the luxury of time and the wealth of resources to immerse myself in my work within a community that values deep thought and creativity.
Which resources, career support programs, or professional development opportunities at Dartmouth have been most valuable to you, and how have they impacted your experience?
The most valuable resource during my time at Dartmouth has undoubtedly been the writer community and the workshop environment. Having a group of highly intelligent, careful readers providing constructive feedback on my work is a priceless gift and it has fundamentally changed how I approach the revision process and sharpened my editorial eye.
Beyond the classroom, the professional development and funding opportunities provided by the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies have been life-changing. The various grants and fellowship programs have allowed me to pursue ambitious, international field research projects without the burden of financial stress. This support system has empowered me to explore my subject matter with a level of depth that I once thought was out of reach.
Outside of your studies, what are some of your hobbies or creative interests?
I am a lover of music and frequently play the violin. The focus required for the instrument helps clear my mind and provides a different kind of creative voice when words fail me. To manage the pressures of academic life, I am also a fan of sports. I find that boxing is an incredible way to release stress and build mental resilience, while playing pickleball with friends offers a lighter, social way to stay active.
These hobbies are essential to my creative process because they offer a physical counterweight to the sedentary nature of writing. They also help me to maintain a healthy equilibrium that keeps my energy levels high and my mind sharp for the demanding work of my graduate studies.
What is your favourite place or activity at Dartmouth or in the Upper Valley, and why?
My favorite place at Dartmouth is the Ledyard Canoe Club, and my favorite activity is kayaking along the Connecticut River. There is something truly magical about the river that flows right behind our campus. On weekends, my roommate and I take advantage of the free boat rentals for students, spending hours drifting on the water and soaking in the breathtaking scenery along the river. It is my sanctuary for reflection.
Whenever I hit a writer’s block or feel overwhelmed by academic challenges, the river provides a sense of perspective and calm. We often find ourselves just floating silently in the middle of the water, letting our minds wander. It is usually during these moments of quiet drifting that my most creative inspirations strike. Kayaking has become a vital ritual for my mental and physical well-being, offering a peaceful escape that rejuvenates my spirit and my work.
