Antônio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva
Antônio's D-Plan
What's a D-Plan?-
FallOn campus
Favorite Class: SPAN 20: Writing and ReadingThis class is an introduction to the Spanish minor and major courses and, although I did not expect to particularly like it, it not only turned out to be my favourite but it made me start considering a degree in the department!
WinterOn campus
Favorite Class: THEA 10.68: Staging RebellionIn this class, we analysed different productions of Latinx American theatre. Prof. Analola Santana was probably the best person I met this year at Dartmouth. Being her student was a very important experience as I try to navigate my potential majors and minors.
SpringOn campus
Favorite Class: NAS 30.25: Intro Indigenous LanguagesIn this class, I was able to carve time out of my busy Dartmouth schedule to study and learn my Indigenous language: Krenak. With the help of Prof. Gokke, all students were encouraged to develop a final project that spoke to their community's needs for language learning and revitalisation. It was an extremely important class for me, not only academically, but also for my personal healing process.
-
FallMadrid, Spain
Favorite Class: SPAN 36: Urban IdentitiesI had the honour of spending my sophomore fall in Madrid, taking part in the Spanish FSP. There, Prof. Martín was not only a great professor, responsible for my favourite lecture of the program, but also an incredible company throughout our classes and in-country trips. Great way to wrap up my Spanish minor, honestly!
WinterOn campus
Favorite Class: NAIS42: Gender Topics in Native American LifeThis was my second class in the NAIS department, and thus it took me one step closer to wrapping up my major. Nonetheless, it was Prof. Powell's genuine charisma and caring personality that made it my favourite of the term!
SpringOn campus
Favorite Class: NAIS 30.26 Indigenous GeographiesThis course was definitely life changing! Prof. Pochedley, a visiting post-doc of the Potawatomi nation did a great job at keeping the students engaged while teaching us to see the land we inhabit as a source of knowledge and spirituality. In a majority Indigenous classroom, we got to develop individual projects related to our traditional homelands, learning to navigate the world through Native world lenses.
-
FallOn campus
Favorite Class: SPAN43.07: Spooky SpainProf. Gómez is one of those profs I've always wanted to take a class with. His work with the Horror genre in Modern Spanish literatures amazes me, and it was an honour to guide in-class discussions and develop my own research on the themes of science, testimony, and fear.
WinterNew Zealand & Cook Islands
Favorite Class: LING54: Foreign Study in LinguisticsLING54 is an umbrella course: the actual content of the course may vary each year, but it is the common letter-number code to refer to the course taught abroad by your accompanying Dartmouth Linguistics professor. In this year's Linguistics Foreign Study Program (FSP), LING54 was a 'Language Documentation' class, wonderfully taught by Prof. David Peterson.
SpringOn campus
Favorite Class: SPAN50.06: Framing Gender and EcologyBefore this class, I had no idea what visual and cultural studies actually encompassed. Every chat with Prof. Broner opened my eyes to a different analysis or method for interpreting literature, and for that, I feel truly lucky! We got to discuss films made by Indigenous women from all over Latin America, exposing the class to distinct ways of interacting with and stewarding the environment.
Taking a break!
Every now and then, I like getting off-campus. Personally, I feel like a change of scenarios is a need! This weekend, I had the opportunity to escape campus for the first time this term!
Is the Winter for everyone?
I do not particularly enjoy the snowy days, nor the outdoors during that time. With that in mind, I was scared that, at Dartmouth, I would feel like an outcast.
What is a Drill Instructor?
This is my experience teaching drill, a one-of-a-kind on-campus job Dartmouth students can get!
Taking care of yourself!
Not everything about college is perfect. Not all days are happy days, and not all classes are nice classes. Come see my trajectory using mental health resources at Dartmouth!
What to consider when applying as an International Student!
These are some of my takes on what to consider as an international student at Dartmouth!
- No. 1
Visa, consulates, interviews, documents…
Personally, dealing with visa applications is one of the things I like the least in the world. Don't you sometimes just wish you could go places, travel around, without worrying about whether you will be granted entry to a country?
Because I applied for my student visa during the pandemic, it was hard to schedule an appointment at any of the still-open consulates. Luckily, I was living in Canada at the time and managed to get my visa at the Vancouver consulate. The process can look complicated, but the feeling of walking away from that interview room having your application approved is one of the most rewarding experiences
- No. 2
Language barrier
If the place you call home is not an English-speaking country, it is important to consider how you will interact with others and with the environment. I always find myself glitching to remember how to say certain words or worrying about how much my sense humour is lost in translation. Nonetheless, I strongly believe this to be a question of having the correct mindset. Living in an anglophone environment pushes you to learn not only the language, but a whole other humour and culture. So, be on top of your English skills and get ready to be challenged!
- No. 3
Missing home!
Lastly, it is important to know that home-sickness is a real thing. I have a history of underestimating how much I miss home, my family, my friends, and, specially, my dog. But, as with anything else, there are many ways to overcome this. I like to watch Brazilian films and listen to my mom's playlists on Spotify – but that might just be me. It is also super helpful to call home whenever you can, and make friends who share this part of your identity with you. I really cannot describe how much having the Dartmouth Brazilian Society by my side has been helpful, for example.
Surviving Winter!
I am not joking when I say I am not made for the winter. Come check my experience thus far!
Transitioning from a boarding school to college!
The transition from high school to college life is not always easy, so come check my experience coming from a boarding school!
Choosing Classes for Winter Term!
With my second term at Dartmouth arriving, choosing classes has been a stressful but very fun experience!
"Welcome to the College on the Hill!"
I remember what it felt like to open my admission letter. It's been a year now, which means it's time to welcome a new generation!
Dancing at Dartmouth!
Dancing has been a part of my life for quite some time now, and I am glad that at Dartmouth I could keep up with my routines!