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.
Hi! I'm so excited to welcome the '26s to campus in a couple of months! I can still vividly remember the combination of nervousness and excitement I felt preparing for my first year of college. After an eventful freshman year, filled with long nights in the library, hanging out with friends on the Green, restaurant hopping, and attending many student art events, here is some advice to '26s as you get ready for your first year:
1. Get to know your professors.Dartmouth is a college for a reason. The professors genuinely care about their students, and Dartmouth offers the opportunity to take professors to lunch at the Pine Restaurant in Hanover (for free!). It's a great way to connect with your professors and maybe even get involved in some of their research projects.
2. Grades are important, but they aren't everything. Try not to let the academics overwhelm you or take priority over your mental health. You deserve to be at Dartmouth and that's why you got in! Enjoy all that the school and the beautiful campus have to offer. When you have time, take a swim in the river, hike Gile, or picnic on the Green.
3. Go out of your comfort zone during O-week.I went to a tie-dye event on my second day on campus and met one of my best friends. Be open to introducing yourself to others and getting to know your floor mates. You never know what can become of even the smallest interactions!
4. Visit the Hop for an art performance. The Hop not only has some of the best food on campus but is also the host of various performing arts events. I've attended student film screenings, play productions, and even saw the Juilliard String Quartet perform. (P.S. students get discounts on all Hop performance tickets!)
5. Join clubs (but not too many).Explore the many social spaces that Dartmouth has to offer, such as the Ledyard Canoe Club within the Dartmouth Outing Club, a variety of acapella and dance troupes, and hundreds of other clubs and organizations to find what inspires you. While it is good to branch out, don't make the mistake of signing up for too many clubs and spreading yourself too thin.
6. Be authentic to yourself. There is a space for every type of person on campus. Find what you are passionate about and don't care too much about what others think, even though it can be difficult, especially in a new environment.
7. Find your support system.For some of you, it will be your first time away from home. Build a network of friends, professors, and Dartmouth resources that you can always rely on.
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!
