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Chelsea Mills
![me!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7731.jpg?itok=BFUKAAQ_×tamp=1665391057)
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![My mom's neighborhood in Ghana My mom's neighborhood in Ghana](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_4032x3024_ghana_road.jpg?itok=rf4Zd9uW×tamp=1674229638)
My Winterim 2022 Recap
At the end of a very busy week with final exams, fall term officially concludes and gives way to our winter break. This year, it fell from November 23rd to January 4th. We colloquially refer to this long period as "winterim." It's a break before a busy winter term, but also a time filled with a lot of opportunity. And when I say "a lot," I really mean it. Some students find a 6-week internship, self-study for a class, train for a varsity sport, travel, or just chill at home. I did a combination of the last two. I visited family in Ghana for a couple weeks, and then enjoyed such time with friends in my Maryland hometown.
![The streets of Ghana, ft. my dad The streets of Ghana, ft. my dad](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_width_only_half/public/admissions/wysiwyg/blog_1283x1666_dadinghana.jpg?itok=sns_J46b)
![My baby cousin Dietrich! My baby cousin Dietrich!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_width_only_half/public/admissions/wysiwyg/blog_3024x4032_cousinghana.jpg?itok=XtMTwFpj)
The quarter system's lack of a "fall break" was definitely something that took some time for me to adjust to. It was hard to go so long without being home. I definitely felt homesick at times, which is why I was so grateful to be able to see my family during winterim. My dad and I flew out to surprise my mom and extended family in Ghana. I hadn't been to Ghana since I was only 9! The trip was long overdue. Everyone there is very friendly, and it was nice to learn more about my culture.
Coming back home, I couldn't wait to be reunited with the little things. I missed my non-twin-XL sized bed, local shopping mall, and the city life of DC. Being away in Hanover made me gain a newfound appreciation for my hometown. I took the time to cherish it.
![My high school friends and I (finally) reconnecting! My high school friends and I (finally) reconnecting!](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/wysiwyg_full_width/public/admissions/wysiwyg/blog_2343x3124_paigepic.jpg?itok=cMlg3y6u)
My friends from high school had somewhat overlapping breaks, though theirs were starting just as mine ended. Luckily, I was still able to hang out with them. We even spent New Year's Eve together :). It was crazy to be in the same room as them again—my friend group ended up going all over the country for college. Writing this now, I miss them all over again.
Winterim, as a concept, is still pretty new to me. I didn't do anything worth adding to my résumé, but it was productive in a different sense. I used the six weeks to reconnect with my pre-Dartmouth life—the people and places outside of Hanover that I call home. Meanwhile, I had time to reflect on my fall term. Here's to 23W(inter term)!
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As I reflect on my first year, I reminisce on the people, places, and things that made the most of my Dartmouth experience!
![Arianna smiling at the grocery store](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_7676_-_arianna_dunkley.jpeg?itok=eQQiMmwB×tamp=1694612412)
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I used my weekends in Berlin to explore the countless flea markets across the city. I found great items and a great way to experience Berlin culture!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
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![FIRE study abroad program at Rome](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/fire_1650x916.png?itok=cypHcxe5×tamp=1718399675)
In this blog, I would like to share some other academic-inclined ways that Dartmouth students spend their freshman summer.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![An image of the Seattle skyline across the water](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screen_shot_2024-07-15_at_10.20.59_pm.png?itok=IvcyiHVw×tamp=1721096489)
My first time in Seattle, during the week of the 4th of July! Exploring fish markets and watching fireworks, I had a great time exploring a new city during my off-term!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
![My reunions co-workers](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-06-21_at_22.38.05.png?itok=m-RnpBDm×tamp=1719023956)
Have you ever thought of working for reunions? Well, neither did I. But it was super fun, come check what it's all about!
![Antonio Jorge Medeiros Batista Silva '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/blog_antonio_profile_picture.jpg?itok=z4tVogx3×tamp=1632239532)
![Potes Espana This is a picture of the town Potes in the northern Cantabria region of Spain.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/potes.jpg?itok=pfwyKWOg×tamp=1719429598)
My first week in Spain has allowed me to discern distinct cultural differences. I have also been adapting to the time change, food, and speaking Spanish 24/7.
![Portrait of Lily sitting in the woods](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/lily_10-12_-_lily_johnson.jpg?itok=kREBBEd0×tamp=1694612886)
![Interfaith LLC '27 at Rollins Chapel](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/screenshot_2024-06-10_at_3.23.08_pm.png?itok=a7EH-od2×tamp=1718054737)
As my first year at Dartmouth comes to a close, I am interviewing my peers who lived in the interfaith LLC (Living Learning Community) with me.
![Portrait of Lily sitting in the woods](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/lily_10-12_-_lily_johnson.jpg?itok=kREBBEd0×tamp=1694612886)
![Summer at Occom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/summer_1706x1280.jpg?itok=XYDGUdoH×tamp=1717840926)
As my first year comes to an end, I would like to invite you to explore the beauty of our campus through my photos!
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)