Ei! My name is Antônio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva (yes—four last names!) and I'm a '25 from Governador Valadares, Brazil. My journey to Dartmouth has crossed two continents, three countries, and over 10 schools—and I'm a strong believer that everyone's path to the Big Green was unique in a way. At Dartmouth, I study Linguistics, Native American & Indigenous Studies, and Spanish. I am passionate about social justice, language-learning, and the oxford comma!
As my second term at Dartmouth approaches, I found myself in a very similar situation I was three months ago. Having to choose classes will never be easy, to be honest. It is always a stressful but very fun experience. If you are curious to how my academic schedule looked like last term, you can check in on this post I wrote at the beginning of the year.
Now, things are a tad bit different. I wanted to choose classes that would already set my path into my desired major. Of course, I am still leaving some room for exploration, as your plans can always change – especially at a liberal arts college.
Last term, I took SPAN 20, ARAB 01, and EDUC 01. None of which I planned to enrol in until the day of course selection haha.
For this term, I selected LING 01 (an introduction course to Linguistics), THEA 10.68 ("Staging Rebellion," a class on Latin American revolutionary theatre), and WRIT 5 – which is a mandatory writing course for first-year students.
If you don't know already, I am a prospective Linguistics major, with possible minors in Spanish and/or Theatre. This term, as you can see, I am getting closer to my intended areas of study. In the fall, I allowed myself to explore, taking unexpected classes and discovering unexpected tastes. But, now, I am genuinely excited to see what the Linguistics and Theatre departments are like. With these courses, I hope to get a sense of what it would feel like if I were to actually proceed my studies in these disciplines.
Something that has been making a real difference in my Dartmouth experience is how much fun I have with academics. I know that, personally, I never thought of college as fun. Yes, I was excited for the quintessential American college experience. But, personally, the parts that talked to me the most were related to the social aspects of college: going out, meeting people from all over the world, becoming independent and mature, etc.
However, to be honest, over my first term I realised how much fun the academic part of college can be. From choosing courses to writing papers with the most creative prompts, learning at Dartmouth is a one of a kind experience.
The thrills and whirlwind that is Freshman Fall was an extraordinary time in my life. Reflecting on two years back, I want to explore the many events and emotions I went through during this time.
I recently completed a language-pledge homestay week in the village of Orvinio, Italy as a part of the Dartmouth F.I.R.E. Italian study abroad program!
How do Dartmouth students balance their classes and social life in a reasonable way? Somehow, we manage to get good grades and prioritize our academics while also making life-long friendships and memories.
As much as I love studying abroad on Dartmouth's Full Immersion in Rome Italian program, I also really miss campus! Here's a look back at some of the places I can't wait to get back to soon.
Choosing the right college is a critical decision that extends beyond mere rankings. Without the benefit of campus visits, it's vital to thoroughly research and understand each institution to ensure a fulfilling and safe experience.
