Hi! My name is Arianna, and I'm a '27 from Georgia. On campus, I am involved with the Cheerleading Team, Dartmouth Caribbean Connections, First-Gen Office, and more! I aim to double major in History and English (potentially) with a minor in Public Policy. I enjoy reading, painting, listening to music, and meeting new people. Follow along through this blog as I traverse my wonderful experiences!
Given my intrigue in pursuing a major in Government, I adored my Politics and AI class. I had zero background in computer science, yet Professor Breuer cohesively connected politics with principles of algorithms and artificial intelligence in a way that I could understand. We finalized the course by doing a cool research project of our own liking.
I am interested in pursuing a minor in Public Policy, which was my reason for taking this class initially. As the term progressed, I was able to learn most of the introductory principles of Public Policy and the framework for policymaking in democratic governance. The readings were interesting, and the discussion-based lectures kept me engaged.
Wow...what an amazing class! This has been one of my favorite classes that I have taken the entire year. Professor Chaney encouraged us to expand our writing through a multitude of methods of analysis, allowing students to look beyond the details of a photograph. Our ideas were not discouraged or disproved, leaving room for proper evaluative learning and prompting discussions about interesting moments in black art history.
SummerWoodstock, GA
I spent this summer at home, but I stayed busy through continuing to blog for the Admissions Office, working a part-time restaurant job, and completing a Market Research and Consulting Internship with a women's health care nonprofit organization, HappySneeze.
This class is a gem for those interested in learning more about the development of the healthcare system from the pre-colonial period into its contemporary form. Initially, I took this class because I am interested in becoming a healthcare lawyer and wanted to explore the foundation of one of the biggest systems in America. While the content is still fairly fresh, and it is the beginning of the term, I already know that this will be one of my favorite classes this fall! Despite the vast influx of information that we go over each class, Professor Koop writes all the topics we will discuss that day on the board sequentially. Not only does this keep me engaged and willing to participate, but it also encourages me to stay organized and on track!
I absolutely loved this class because it gave me the tools to understand policy through a deeply personal and justice-oriented framework. Professor Mahoney created an engaging, discussion-driven environment where students were encouraged to bring their own perspectives into the conversation. I appreciated how the course blended theory and practice—learning about political institutions while also reflecting on how I want to lead and advocate for change, especially in spaces that haven't always welcomed marginalized voices.
This winter term, I decided to fully embrace the New England weather in the most Dartmouth way possible... by learning how to ski for the first time. As someone who didn't grow up near multiple snowy slopes, I'll admit I was slightly intimidated by the idea. But thanks to a couple of very different and equally memorable experiences, skiing became one of my favorite winter adventures.
My initial experience skiing was Nordic skiing at Oak Hill, organized by Jay Davis from the First Generation Office. Jay's enthusiasm made the entire event feel remarkably laid-back, and I fully appreciated that it was catered directly toward beginners just like me. The atmosphere was quite friendly, the gear rather confusing, and the snow... well, let's just say I spent more time on it than gliding over it. But even with a small amount of wobbles and ungraceful landings, I genuinely had fun. There was something peaceful about being surrounded by barren trees and the snow, just trying to find your rhythm. Plus, it was a reminder that it's okay for me to try new things and be a total beginner.
The second round was slightly different. This time, I tried alpine skiing at Whaleback Mountain along with my sorority, and let's just say that it was indeed a game-changer. One of my sorority sisters kindly took me under her wing. She thoroughly and patiently walked me through the basics. I started to feel a certain sense of control, unlike my first attempt. I even dared to say that I felt a degree of confidence. Going down that slope (even that tiny one) without hardly falling felt really like a major win. I actually started to enjoy the speed, the rush, and the challenge. And also, of course, having my own sorority sisters cheer me on made it even more special.
Both of the skiing experiences happened to be meaningful in their own specific ways. Nordic skiing taught me to slow down as well as laugh at myself, while alpine skiing showed me the thrill that comes from sticking with something new. I'm grateful to both the FGO and to my sorority for truly encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone... literally and figuratively... and further embrace all the snow.
Will I certainly become a pro skier in the near future? Probably not. But really, am I looking quite forward to getting back on the slopes next winter? Absolutely.
Despite Dartmouth being on the periphery of the broader Northeast region, its access to major transportation hubs makes travel stress-free. But, how can students without a car see the rest of New England?
After a long winter term where everything was overlaid in snow and serenity, the weekly Norwich farmer's market is finally back—and I could not be more excited.
It's my first spring ever (!!!) and I have been blown away by the beautiful scenery that continues to bloom right in front of my eyes. Here are some of my favorite scenes from campus in spring!
In my freshman year, I wrote a blog revisiting my decision of attending Dartmouth College. Now that more than a year has passed, I would love to revisit my decision again, with a more realistic lens.
