Hey! I'm excited to welcome you to my blog page! I'm Andrea Agola, a '26 born in Kenya and raised just outside of D.C. As the eldest child of three, I'm the first to go off to college! I'm glad Dartmouth will enable me to explore both the sciences and humanities. Don't even get me started on the numerous extracurriculars that pique my interest, like the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, research projects and dance groups. Follow along as I navigate this unique college experience!
Academic Program
Sociology major, International Studies Minor, Pre-Med
Favorite Thing Right Now
Studying abroad on the French LSA+ in Toulouse, France!
When I began my first term at Dartmouth, I knew I wanted to explore the French language and culture more after having been a French music and film fan for as long as I can remember. This was an accelerated course that covered French 1 and 2 in one term and offered an exciting and fast-paced atmosphere. The small nature of our class allowed us all to have more speaking time in class from partner activities to performing creative skits. One of the best assignments was a scavenger hunt! I was also able to learn and make a presentation about francophone countries. This class really prompted me to apply for the ‘24 Winter–Toulouse, France Study Abroad which I got accepted into!
This course considers the discipline and political happenings of Black Feminist Thought by highlighting interlocking issues related to gender, sexuality, race, and economics. The professor was amazing! I was always genuinely excited to do her assigned readings/viewings and remember being sad when she canceled class one day (imagine!). I reveled in the thought-provoking, warm, restorative (the list goes on & on) ambience that she fostered. I even took advantage of a cool opportunity that Dartmouth offers, the “Take a Faculty Member out To Lunch” program at Pine Restaurant across from campus. I enjoyed the lovely conversation we had over delicious food. Her class was such a great source of empowerment!
This course examines the epidemiology and social impact of past and present infectious disease epidemics. It was a great and insightful class to take for the Global Health Minor! I had the chance of hearing from many influential guest lecturers like the Former Minister of Health of Rwanda and a key member of the U.S Covid Task Force.
This course explores causes and patterns of global poverty and links this with the urgent need for care and care ethics in our lives and in society broadly. Not only did the class feel like such a caring environment but it was especially interesting because it had a Social Impact Practicum (SIP) component. A SIP is a project-based experiential learning opportunity connecting undergraduate courses at Dartmouth with community needs identified by nonprofit organizations. In other words, a SIP is a real-world project with real-world impact. My SIP was my care work as a UGA within Dartmouth's Residential Life.
Exchange Chronicles: Discovering The Charm of Wellesley's Campus
1. The building with no right angles! This is the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center. It was intentionally built as six levels of distinctive cascading form with no right angles to demonstrate the idea that Wellesley women should never think of themselves as centered or having to fit into any boxes. I have definitely observed a lot of authentic individual expression as I walk around campus.
2.I remember gasping when I first saw this beautiful living room in Severance hall. The chandelier lights coming down from the vaulted ceilings make it so magical and the mix of comfy couches give such an inviting energy. There are also nice seating options at the bay windows around the room that bring in a lot of sunlight. There are many portraits of former Wellesley women from decades to centuries ago. They are so nice to see since it is usually more common to see similar portraits of men.
3. This is a pathway that I found while walking through campus. I find the somewhat hidden seating area to be very serene. I still have it on my bucket list to come do some reading for class here!
4. I was recently exploring the living rooms of other dorms across campus, and I found this gorgeous one in the Caz dorm. The lush green sofas and warm rug make the space feel so cozy, and I love going here to study.
5. This is my stunning point of view of Green Hall as I walk to my French class on Tuesdays and Fridays. I love the archways carved into the buildings as something about them just feels so welcoming to me. I also love the way that the sun's rays are uniquely visible in the photograph.
6. While this photo is pretty different from the rest, it shows another side of Wellesley's charm that I got to experience–the annual headphone disco party! It was so fun to switch between the three DJs in my headphones and dance freely with so many other Wellesley students. It was just my second time getting this unique experience where everyone can choose what music fits their style yet still dance alongside their friends. My first headphone disco party was at Dartmouth during my new student orientation (which feels so long ago!).
7. This is just one of the many picturesque walking paths on campus! The architecture of the buildings is so classical, and the trees surround them in such a complementary way that walking to class just seems like a whimsical activity.
Dartmouth's dining options are reduced during winterim due to the significantly smaller number of students on campus. Find out about dining options during winterim, from a dietary, logistical, and financial perspective!
In elementary school, I did ballet. In middle school, I tried diving. In high school, I played volleyball. And now, in college, I guess I'm a hockey player! Read on to learn a bit about Dartmouth Club Sports and our Women's Ice Hockey Program!
