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.
Getting CPR certified through the Dartmouth Emergency Medical Services
As a member of the campus Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) chapter, I was able to get CPR-Basic Life Support training and certification through Dartmouth's student-run Emergency Medical Services (DEMS). One Sunday afternoon, we took a group training to learn life-saving skills in a way that also offered us personal growth. As the Community Service and Events Chair for MAPS, I was able to help organize this DEMS x MAPS experience.
A few of my friends are in DEMS so let me take a moment to give them a spotlight:
"DEMS is a student-run non-transport Basic Life Support (BLS) squad licensed by the state of New Hampshire. We were founded in 1991 by a group of motivated students looking to improve pre-hospital care and education for the community, and it has since expanded to provide a variety of services to Dartmouth College and the surrounding Upper Valley community including campus emergency response, community CPR and First Aid training, maintenance of the Dartmouth public-access AED program, and event standby coverage. Dartmouth EMS members are trained to provide BLS care ranging from simple first-aid to life-saving interventions as licensed EMTs." - DEMS website
DEMS offers CPR courses at both the "Heartsaver" level and "Healthcare Provider" (Basic Life Support) level for professional rescuers so we were able to attain this BLS level of training.
DEMS trainers guided us as we performed CPR.
The peer-led learning environment made us feel more comfortable and engaged. DEMS instructors led us through different CPR exercises and scenarios. We learned how to adapt our CPR approach between adults and infants/ young children. During the exams at the end of the session, the instructor took a step back and left it up to us to determine and perform the right actions at the right time. It's amazing and reassuring to know that, if needed, we are now equipped to make a meaningful difference in someone's life.
These mannequin devices were great at showing us if we were doing good compressions.
For our MAPS chapter, by learning these critical skills together, we gained a shared responsibility for the safety and well-being of our peers. Becoming CPR-certified can open doors for students interested in healthcare, public health, or emergency response careers. CPR certification is a valuable addition to any resume, showing not only practical skills but also a commitment to public safety. Taking CPR training through DEMS offered us MAPS members far more than just certification. It has equipped us with life-saving skills, grown our confidence, and helped in creating a more safety-conscious campus.
I can't wait to celebrate Winter, so I just had to write a blog post all about it. Read on to hear about all the fun (and affordable) Winter activities at Dartmouth!
After experiencing this Dartmouth winter term, I am ready to write an ode to this cold weather! Here is what a weekend in the Hanover winter feels like.
My first week back on campus– full of lots of hugs and an extensive amount of time spent making my Google calendar! Cold days and walking to classes after six weeks at home can be an adjustment, but my friends at Dartmouth make it all the more fun!
Let's Get Lost in the Library! A deep dive into the known, unusual, and hidden study spots all around Dartmouth's campus! Up first, the Berry Library—the iconic modern half of the central Baker-Berry Library!
