Hi guys! I'm Chidera and I'm a '25 from Lagos, Nigeria. I've lived in a big city for nearly half of my life, so it's great to experience the scenic outdoor spaces surrounding Dartmouth. Outside of the classroom, I conduct research with the economics department, I'm a peer tutor for the Academic Skills Center and I'm also involved with the Dartmouth Energy Alliance.
Taking this class was a random and unexpected decision that I am so happy I made. This class was about the intersection between human and primate evolution and our social behaviors. It really opened my eyes to how unique and beautifully diverse different societies are, and how this uniqueness influences our biology in interesting ways.
Taught by Professor Doyle, this has been my favorite class at Dartmouth so far. It was a calculus integrated with economic applications of the concepts we learned. It was the first time this class was offered at Dartmouth, and Professor Doyle made sure we all had a thorough understanding of the material. The fact that we were also able to see the real-world applications of the calculus concepts also made the class uniquely interesting.
I took this class to fulfill Dartmouth's first-year seminar requirement. In selecting a first-year seminar class, I sought out a department that I would not have taken a class in otherwise. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience and I learnt so much about Parisian Impressionist painters in the late 19th century like Monet, Manet, Degas, Morisot and Renoir. It also taught me about the political, social and economic conditions that typically inspire pivotal art movements.
SummerWashington D.C.
This summer, I interned at the International Finance Corporation in DC, through the Rockefeller Center's First-Year Fellows program which gives first-year students the opportunity to engage in public policy early in their Dartmouth careers. I lived with about twenty other members of Dartmouth's Class of 2025 and got to experience life in a vibrant city while gaining professional work experience.
I spent this term in Accra, Ghana for the African and African American Studies department's Foreign Study Program (FSP). I'm so glad I was able to take advantage of one of Dartmouth's study-abroad programs. During this FSP, I got to explore a new country and city while taking classes taught by the amazing professors at the University of Ghana.
After being away from campus for six months, I decided to start working towards fulfilling my distributive requirements. To fulfill my ART distrib, I took a Russian film class with a friend. It was an amazing experience and a testament to the ways a liberal arts education encourages you to approach each class through an interdisciplinary lens. For my final essay in this class, I explored the ways that government and political culture affect the nature of the film industry in different countries.
This class is one of the prerequisites for the international economics track's culminating experience. Dartmouth's economics major allows you to focus on a specific field that you're interested in, while also having the opportunity to take a couple of classes in other fields. Before taking this class, I had always been interested in international economics and this class definitely cemented my interests in the field.
I used my sophomore summer off term to conduct research with the economics department through the Dartmouth Economics Research Scholars and with the funding of the James O. Freedman Presidential Scholarship. My research project, which was mentored and advised by a faculty member, focused on the effects of European Union climate policy on the economy of my home country, Nigeria. It gave me the opportunity to apply and better understand several concepts I learnt in economics classes at Dartmouth.
This was the most enjoyable and impactful class I have ever taken at Dartmouth! Each assigned reading and class discussion was more enthralling and thought-provoking than the last. This class taught me how to think outside the box, write academic articles in the field of the humanities and how to intellectualise and synthesise my own lived experiences in a way that contributes meaningfully to existing literature in African Studies. Lastly, it taught me to think critically about pressing social issues within the African continent.
Last weekend was a very special weekend here at Dartmouth! Parents weekend! On this wonderful weekend, I was able to meet all the wonderful parents and alumnus that came back to visit this wonderful place we call home. On Friday night things started out with a bang as Dartmouth's talented a Capella groups took the stage for all the proud parents to see. My favorite part of this wonderful show was being able to see my friends perform their amazing solos for their parents, including "Friends in Low Places" by Garth Brooks and "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons.
After a wonderful Friday evening, I woke up early on Saturday to enjoy the sunshine. Later that day, I went to one of Hanover's best-kept secrets, Umpleby's (which is a small restaurant close to campus) for breakfast. I followed this with a relaxing lunch on the Green. Thank goodness for the great weather! After these two meals, I had my final and most delicious meal at Simon Pearce, one of the Upper Valleys' nicest restaurants. However, Simon Pearce is so much more than just a restaurant! Simon Pearce is a world-renowned glass manufacturer with amazing glassware for all occasions. We were able to see the amazing process of handmade glass manufacturing up close and personal at their factory before stepping back outside and seeing the river and waterfall, a reminder of just how naturally rich New England is. Finally, it was mealtime! I ate amazing, braised beef paired with bread and cheese.
Sunday morning brunch ensued on this long weekend of over-eating. As a member of the North Park housing community, I had lunch at the McLaughlin cluster and the amazing Christian Beck performed his incredible original songs for all the parents and families on the blue-skyed warm sunny day. The food was delicious, with great coffee and fresh eggs, and even a free North Park mug! It was a great way to wrap up this weekend as I headed to the tower room, one of my favorite study spots in Baker-Berry Library.
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
Homecoming—a time when current students and alumni gather to relive cherished memories and exhibit large amounts of school spirit. Find out how I spent my second Homecoming Weekend at Dartmouth!
