Andrea Agola
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Andrea's D-Plan
What's a D-Plan?-
FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: FREN 11: Intensive FrenchWhen 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!
WinterHanover, NH
Favorite Class: WGSS 66.04: Introduction to Black Feminist ThoughtThis 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!
SpringHanover, NH
Favorite Class: GEOG 21.01: Global Health & SocietyThis 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.
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FallHanover, NH
Favorite Class: GEO 22.02: Global Poverty and CareThis 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.
WinterToulouse, France
In Toulouse, France on the French LSA+ program!
SpringHanover, NH
Favorite Class: GEOG 9.01 Geographical Information Systems (GIS)I completed a project mapping disparities in hospital access on Chicago’s West Side. I analyzed the spatial relationship between hospital closures and the surrounding Black population, creating 0.5-mile buffer zones around six hospitals. My findings revealed that the closed hospital was surrounded by a high percentage of Black residents and was more isolated from open hospitals, indicating disproportionate healthcare inaccessibility. In contrast, areas with lower Black populations had overlapping buffers of open hospitals, reflecting easier access. This project deepened my understanding of spatial justice and the real-world impact of GIS in equity analysis.
SummerHanover, NH
Favorite Class: MUS 051: Oral Tradition MusicianshipThis summer, I had the joy of learning West African percussion in a class that quickly became a highlight of my week. From my first introduction to the djembe and makuta drums to the group performances that brought us all together, each session was filled with rhythm, laughter, and community. Despite personal challenges, I always left class feeling recharged, thanks to Professor Shabazz’s infectious energy, inspiring stories, and deep cultural wisdom. Sitting in a semicircle, making music, and sharing heritage presentations helped us connect in meaningful ways—and reminded me how powerful it is to learn and grow through music.
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FallWellesley, MA
Favorite Class: Organic Chemistry IDuring my semester exchange at Wellesley College, my favorite class was Organic Chemistry I. After finding CHEM 005 and 006 challenging and hearing numerous warnings about the complexity of organic chemistry, I was initially skeptical. But to my surprise, I really enjoyed the course. I found the reaction-based approach more intuitive and engaging than previous chemistry classes, and I appreciated how each mechanism told a story about molecular behavior. The class challenged me, but in a way that felt motivating rather than overwhelming. It reshaped my perspective on chemistry and boosted my confidence in tackling complex scientific concepts.
WinterNairobi, Kenya
Interning at the Strathmore Institute of Healthcare Management through the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding.
SpringHanover, NH
Favorite Class: FREN 70: Francophone LiteratureIn this seminar-style class, we spent ten weeks reading and discussing powerful contemporary works written in French by authors such as Shane Haddad, Nina Bouraoui, Kamel Daoud, Djaïli Amadou Amal, Gaël Faye, and Riad Sattouf. The seminar’s intimate format fostered rich conversations about identity, memory, biculturalism, gender, and displacement across the Francophone world. What made the course especially unique was our final creative project, which we crafted in Dartmouth’s Book Arts Workshop, allowing us to merge literary analysis with hands-on artistry. This class deepened my appreciation for Francophone literature and challenged me to think critically and creatively.
My Winter Term Schedule!
From classes to research to activities, here's a preview of my first winter term!
Parlez-vous Français? Learning a Language at Dartmouth
Check out my experience taking French at Dartmouth!
My Top 5 22F Study Spaces!
One of the most important components of a great study sesh is the environment! Below are some of my favorite study spots from my first fall term.
- No. 1
East Reading Room
This room, found on the first level of the Baker-Berry Library, was one of the first spaces I explored when I visited campus after my acceptance last Spring and I just knew it would become one of my favorite places. I love the little nooks/compartments that make up the outskirt of the room. Two nooks at the end of the room are very popular among students so I was always super happy when I was able to get to them early enough. The space is usually pretty quiet with a little chatter here and there, so I was really able to focus. Occasionally small events are held in this room like open concerts put on by student musicians (serenaded while studying, wow!).
- No. 2
Tower Room
On days where I needed complete uninterrupted focus to achieve the utmost productivity (in other words to GRIND), I walked up two flights of stairs from the East Reading Room. Known for being the most silent study space on campus—really you can hear a pin drop—the Tower Room is at the very top of Baker-Berry Library. The green velvet chairs and ornate architecture give such an aesthetic look to the gorgeous and serene room. I usually sat in one of the chairs facing a window for an optimal view of fall foliage. After slipping a piece of wood across the armrests (smart makeshift desk), I would usually get right to work on my anthropology readings or French textbook work. The room is also really warm so I’m sure it’ll stay at the top of my list during winter term.
- No. 3
The Cube
This modern building is located close to FOCO and is a bit closer to my River Cluster dorm than the library. The space serves as both a social gathering and studying spot. For some reason, when it came to studying I got major math vibes from the space so I usually only did calculus homework and group study sessions with my friends there. The numerous whiteboards scattered around are a great plus! There’s also a snack bar open from 8pm-2am that can really cheer you up during a late night study sesh.
Advice After Reflecting on My College Search & Application Process
College Websites, Visits, Applications, Essays, Interviews and the list goes on as I think about this time last year. Here are some of my thoughts on the college search and application process.
A Look Into Some of My Fall-tivities
Fall has been a fun and picturesque time, in this post I share some of the activities and events that have characterized my Dartmouth fall so far.
Math Resources and Applications in Research
While my math class has been challenging, finding academic resources and learning about its interesting real-life applications in one of Dartmouth's ongoing research projects has been very helpful.
A Space For Community
In this post I talk about spending time and finding community in the Shabazz Center for Intellectual Inquiry. It has been a source for joy, support and empowerment.
A Warm Welcome to The Woods
Dartmouth offered me an exceptionally warm welcome and I had a great time during New Student Orientation and First Year Trips!
Introducing Me, First Post Alert!
Hey everyone! In this post I introduce myself as a new blogger and member of the 2026 class. I'm excited to welcome you to my blog page where you can follow along as I navigate this unique college experience!