Hi! My name is Meghna Datta, and I feel so lucky to be a part of the Baldwin Scholars Program.
I came to Duke from Madison, Wisconsin and absolutely loved growing up there. I’m continually inspired by the grounded, laidback, and outdoorsy spirit of the Midwest. I love curling up inside during a cozy snow day, spending relaxing summer evenings on a lake pier, or just enjoying a peaceful morning surrounded by lush green farmland. This love for the outdoors shaped my time at Duke, too, and one of my favorite things about going to school in North Carolina was experiencing the variety of outdoor activities around. Some of my best memories from Duke are kayaking with friends at Jordan Lake, trips to Asheville and Wrightsville Beach, hammocking at Eno River, and seeing the breathtaking sunset at Hanging Rock. My favorite place on campus was, and always will be, the Duke Gardens and I know that no matter where I live in the future, I will miss having such a beautiful space in such close proximity!
At Duke, I was pre-med and designed my own major through Program II titled “The Purpose of Medicine: Ethics, Policy, and Practice.” While I didn’t start college intending to embark on the journey that has been developing my own unique academic path, I look back fondly on it because it taught me - and still continues to teach me - to take initiative, think critically, and be bold. I was also involved in the arts scene - I played violin in the Duke Symphony Orchestra and took lessons with Professor Hsiao-mei Ku, and I spent time dancing on Duke Rhydhun as well as Bull City Raas. I was also a part of Duke FEMMES+ and got the chance to interview some really cool people through my job writing for the Duke Research Blog!
Right now, I’m enjoying the open expanse of possibility that is post-grad life, and I’ve learned so much about myself already. When I’m not working, I’m usually spending time with family and friends, working on my latest crochet project (@cloudcreationzz on Instagram!), trying faithfully to attend to my plant children, planning vacations I will theoretically take, or binge-reading the latest TikTok rom-com craze.
To conclude this bio, I will just say: being in Baldwin, I have been surrounded by remarkable women, and it has helped me grow immensely during my four years at Duke. If you’re reading this and are on the fence about applying, I wholeheartedly encourage you to apply!