Welcome to the blog of an Englishman studying at Dartmouth—do take a look around! Hopefully, my blogs will provide you with an insight on life at Dartmouth, and specifically through the eyes of an international student. Dartmouth has a ton to offer from the staggering natural beauty of its surroundings and stellar academic programs to the wonderful people you meet along the way. So stay a while, I'll make us cups of tea, and take a moment to discover life at the College on the Hill.
This class was SO interesting... We dug into the history of racial inequality in Brazil, stretching from the advent of slavery to persisting modern societal issues.
A course that I took completely impulsively turned into one of the most formative experiences I have had at Dartmouth. Through physical mediums and theatre, I rediscovered what it meant to be 'creative.'
Having always had a hatred for learning languages, I was wary of the requirement to do so here at Dartmouth. In reality, though, I needn't have worried! I absolutely loved every minute of this class, and now I can speak pretty good Italian!
This class was extremely enlightening, and it was especially interesting to study as a British person. I felt as though I brought a unique perspective to the class, but also that I was learning a side of history which was brushed past in my GCSEs!
I spent this term completing research with Professor Cascio of the Economics Department. Our work was concerned with educational investment, and it was one of my best experiences of Dartmouth so far!
This course teaches all about the economics of the development of economies, focusing on many case studies concerning education, housing, healthcare, and more!
This term, I was lucky enough to be able to see an amazing and rare event—a total eclipse! Me and a group of friends (one of whom is an incredibly avid astronomist) all hopped in a car on a warm Monday morning, and drove an hour to St Johnsbury to be in the region of totality (total coverage of the sun by the moon). As the day of the eclipse approached, the town buzzed with preparations, welcoming visitors from near and far who shared a common fascination with the cosmos.
We gathered in open fields, equipped with solar viewing glasses and telescopes. As the moon slowly crept across the sun, the atmosphere grew still, and a sense of reverence filled the air. Then, in a breathtaking moment of alignment, the moon completely obscured the sun, plunging us into darkness in the middle of the day. I literally cannot describe with words how amazing the eclipse looked—and my photos don't do it full justice.
Totality...
During totality, a profound transformation occurred. Day turned into night, stars emerged in the sky, and a shimmering halo, the sun's corona, radiated around the moon's silhouette. It was a dance of light and shadow, a cosmic ballet that left us speechless. Witnessing the sun's corona, usually hidden by the sun's glare, was a humbling reminder of the vastness and beauty of our solar system.
What made the eclipse experience even more magical was sharing it with fellow enthusiasts and curious onlookers. Strangers became friends as we marveled at the celestial event together. We played Pink Floyd as the moon crept over the sun, and their song "Great Gig in the Sky" hit it's climax during totality.
After totality!
As the eclipse passed and daylight gradually returned, I couldn't help but reflect on the cosmic scale of our existence. Witnessing a total eclipse is a reminder of our place in the vastness of space, where celestial bodies align in perfect harmony, showcasing the intricacies and beauty of our solar system.
It's easy to forget how easy it is to access walking trails during the hustle of a Dartmouth term. As graduation nears, I am reminded of how special it is to step off campus and enjoy quiet moments in nature.
With a solar eclipse sweeping across North America for the first time in nearly seven years on April 8th came a road-trip with hundreds of other Dartmouth students to a zone of totality near campus: St. Johnsbury, Vermont!
