¡Hola! My name is Ben and I'm a '25 from sunny Barcelona, Spain. I like way too many things, but I'm especially interested in biology and health policy! On campus, you can find me at the new sustainability center, FOCO, and the Green. I'm currently involved with the Global Health community, Class Council, and Dartmouth Dining. Outside these cool spaces, I'm also a big fan of the Outing Club's sunrikes. I can't wait to give you an insider's look into my exciting college life!
Coming from a heavy bio and chem background in high school, this class was clearly outside my comfort zone, but I loved it from the start. We covered a lot of ground in 10 weeks, stretching from political theories and nationalist movements to warfare and global poverty. We also had in-class debates and simulations, so I got to know my classmates really well and refine my public speaking!
My first formal introduction to CS was a lot smoother than I anticipated. While I'm not planning to take more CS courses anytime soon, I thought the class did a great job at providing a fun format to students (like me!) who typically think CS is too tough to tackle.
My writing seminar, capped at 16 people, was the perfect transition to a liberal arts-styled education. This class gave me really solid training for future writing-heavy classes. Plus, our professor always encouraged us to bring our own perspectives and ideas to the table. As a published author, he shared with us priceless writing tips that I still use to this day!
I loved reconnecting with my core academic interest: Biology! I took a year-long break from it in freshman year because I really wanted to explore other departments. However, this class confirmed to me that Biology should still be at the center of my college trajectory. The 4-hour lab sessions and Teaching Assistants really helped me keep up to speed with the fast-paced nature of Dartmouth's STEM classes.
Wow, this professor really knew his stuff! By far, one of the best classes I've ever taken at Dartmouth. The lectures were so interesting..., we dove into the world of urbanization, hydropower dams, ecotourism, and other really cool topics like advocacy for indigenous groups, always looking at real case studies and applying theory to practice.
I always knew I wanted a job in college. What I didn't know is that I'd also have a blast at work. For the last four terms, I've worked as a barista at The Fern, a new campus dining location that opened last year after the inauguration of the Irving Institute for Energy and Society. Although I've also been juggling other jobs, I love this one in particular because it has given me a very strong community of co-workers and friends! On my first day at Dartmouth, I felt lost because I didn't know anyone. However, I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of people through my classes, extracurriculars, and job (yes, even at work!), so making friends was not hard at all.
As an international student on financial aid, I also recognized that having some spending money for eating out and buying essential items would go a long way. Learning to be financially independent is an important skill that you really get to master in college, and getting a job is the best way to take that leap of faith and do some adulting. Just like many of my friends, this was my first time living away from home, so it was the perfect time to start managing my personal finances.
After our shifts, my friends and I like to study outside Irving. The vibes are immaculate!
Being a student worker has not only helped me gain more independence, but it also has added tons of structure to my schedule. On average, class time represents just a small percentage of your day in college, meaning you suddenly have a lot more ownership over your schedule than in high school. We all have different needs and priorities, but so far, I have really valued slotting structured hours into my daily calendar, by taking up a bunch of jobs and getting involved in clubs.
Surprisingly, finding a job was more straightforward than I anticipated. As per federal rules, international students are not allowed to work off-campus during the school year. I thought that would mean I'd struggle to secure a job, as I was worried all international students would be competing for the same positions. However, that could not have been further from the truth. Every term, Dartmouth offers a ton of job vacancies across a whole range of departments, so there's no need to stress about coming out of the job search unemployed.
I love working at The Fern, but I've also had many other dining jobs on campus. This picture was taken last year during graduation weekend! I worked at Dartmouth's main dining location, '53 Commons, setting up catering for graduation events and alumni reunions.
Even if you've never thought of working, I would strongly urge you to apply for campus jobs when you start college, whether it's at Dartmouth or elsewhere. Not only is it a smart financial decision, but it's also a fantastic way to grow professionally and socially. Classes are intellectually stimulating (and challenging!), but if there's something I've learned here, it's that my life goes well beyond academics and late-night study sessions. College is the sum of many experiences, be it your extracurriculars, jobs, hobbies, or whatever else rocks your boat! Jobs are one of the many ideal avenues to explore these other facets of your life, which is why I currently do research, write for the admissions office, give campus tours, and work as a barista! I love to stay busy.
As a second-year at Dartmouth, I've embraced leadership roles that foster community, creativity, and support! Here's a look at how each role has shaped my journey.
