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.
I am excited to be back on-campus for Spring term after studying abroad in Winter through the French LSA+. Returning has been a very interesting experience. It's like stepping into a familiar yet somehow altered world. As a city girl at heart, I really enjoyed the change of pace of life in Toulouse, but I am so grateful to be back to the constant possibility of running into friends on campus. I think a large part of the change I feel is actually to do with myself and the ways that I transformed through the experiences and lessons I gained from being abroad. I am definitely looking forward to bringing this new perspective to my life and classes at Dartmouth this term.
I find myself approaching my classes with a newfound curiosity and openness, eager to learn from my professors and classmates. And I also find myself more motivated to return to my pre-health classes. Speaking of which, this term I am finishing the general chemistry sequence with Chem 6. I have it at 10:10 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday then have Monday Chem lab from 2:15 pm to 6:15.
This spring term is also major because us sophomores have to declare our major (see what I did there?). I have decided to major in Geography!! I have possible minors and modified or double majors that I am thinking of adding in the future which I can still do. After already taking a few Geography classes throughout freshman year and Fall of sophomore year, I realized that I really like the department and all the ways that it fits with my interests as well as how it stimulates me with new and interesting knowledge. That's why my other two classes this term are Geography 9.01: Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Geography 16: A Climate for Human Security. They both meet for two hours, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
My Geography 9 class has a 2-hour weekly GIS developing lab component in the Fairchild Physical Sciences Center that is very interesting because I am learning how to make maps. Maps are employed across several fields but I am especially interested in how they are beneficial to the Health field. They enable the mapping and understanding of epidemics and so much more!
Geography 16 is a bit different from the type of classes I usually gravitate towards that focus more on cultural science but I am finding it so academically stimulating and rewarding to gain a better understanding of Climate Change. Usually, the lectures are very engaging with group brainstorming whiteboard activities. Plus, the other day I loved how my reading assignment was to listen to a podcast!
Through Dartmouth's Guarini Institute for International Study, I am getting to take classes and experience life at Wellesley College, an all-women's school!
Academics can be challenging at Dartmouth. But there are lots of groups across campus here to support you through your academic journey. Read on for my experience asking for help and a few organizations that might be helpful to you!
