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 am interested in studying linguistics, theatre, and Spanish. I am really passionate about social justice, learning languages, and the oxford comma!
Academic Program
Linguistics major, possible minors in Theatre or Spanish
As we started to wrap up Fall term, there was much to be planned. I didn't know who would take care of my plants; how I would handle all my final examinations; how I would cope with being far from my friends; and, most importantly, where I was going over Winter Break.
Ever since I left Brazil, every holiday is hard to plan. I could go back to my mom's house in Brazil, my father's in Angola, or just stay around and get to know the United States outside the Dartmouth bubble. The more I looked into my options, the more I knew I wanted to explore and go places I had never been.
Exploring Times Square for the first time!
I had friends who were going home - meaning, all four corners of the world - and some who would stay on campus. To conciliate all uncertainties and questions I had on the back of my mind, I decided to go for the safe choice. I spent Thanksgiving in New York with some friends from high school; am currently in Boston, where my aunt and uncle live; am going to stay for a bit in Amherst, where my cousin goes to school; and will still have the time to head up north to Montreal. When I lived in Canada, I only got the chance to explore the West coast of the country, and now I'm excited to celebrate Christmas and New Years with friends from the francophone area.
At Dartmouth, we are lucky to have a break that is long enough that I can do all of this. Because of the quarter system, our holidays merge together, and we get almost six weeks off.
I am enjoying Winter Break to the fullest, preparing myself for the next three months on campus. This means seeing friends and family who I haven't seen in a long time, without necessarily having to fly home. And Dartmouth's location is perfect for me to do so.
With a bus, I can get to Boston or New York; with just a train or a flight, I can be in Montreal.
Being away from the friends I made during my first term of college is not easy, for sure. But I am sure that we are all doing our best to enjoy this time we got off-campus, and excited to see each other again.
One of the really cool aspects of Dartmouth is that the college is located in a rural area but still has access to urban areas like Boston. Last week, I took a three-hour bus ride on the Dartmouth Coach for a weekend getaway in Boston.
From making pinch pots to going blueberry picking, there simply isn't enough time to explore Hanover in one summer. I'm really lucky for the opportunity to spend another summer in Hanover and would love to share some new memories with you all.
The Dartmouth Outing Club ("the DOC"), the largest and oldest collegiate outing club in the nation, has been one of the highlights of my Sophomore Summer. Come read about my experiences with the club!
During a recent conversation with my HS friend who also goes to college in the US, we discussed what it's like experiencing culture shock especially as international students. I'd love to share the tips we developed to combat this feeling.
Exploring Times Square for the first time!
The view from my drive to NYC!
