Hi! I'm Tacko Diop from Harlem, NYC. My Senegalese background has shaped my passion for social justice, which led me to double major in Government and African and American Studies. I speak English, Wolof, French, Arabic, and a bit of Korean. Outside of academics, I enjoy watching period dramas, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I'm drawn to Dartmouth's close-knit community and excited for the journey ahead!
Academic Program
Major: Government and African and American Studies
Harlem is a very small and urban place. If you've lived there for most of your life as I have, then you are familiar with so many different people and places. Hanover is also very small but it's more rural. I've already met so many people here and I never fail to say "hi" to everyone walking down the street. However, unlike Harlem, you can't just go to a corner store at any time of the day and return home. This school has already taught me to take advantage of all of my surroundings and resources and make the most out it. So far, I have already made a home for myself. When I return home for the first time, I don't think I'll even be moving as much just because of how I've gotten adjusted to life here on campus.
Moving from Harlem also meant that I would have to get used to different traditions and cultures here. Back home, most of the year would be spent practicing Ramadan (a time of fasting and religious devotion for Muslims all over the world), celebrating Eid-al-Adha, Eid-Al-Fitr, and other times of celebration. These all hold a lot of memories, meaning, and importance behind them for me. And while they still do, I have yet to experience this being away from home. I am very excited to come together with people from the same cultural and religious background as me and make memories.
Here, there are also many different traditions. For instance, the infamous Bonfire, the Twilight Ceremony, Homecoming, etc. These are all traditions that are still very new to me. However, being open to discovering what they are about and participating in them is what I'm most looking forward to. So far, I have attended the Twilight Ceremony and that was such an amazing experience for me. I was so happy to be around all of the other 2027s and just celebrate being the new class on campus!
But there you have it!! That's what I appreciate the most about moving away from home, specifically from Harlem. It's different but I know that I will be able to incorporate so much of life back home here on campus. Bringing both of these aspects of my life together will be an enriching journey, as it has already been so far.
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
Here is my list of the restaurants in Hanover within walking distance of Dartmouth. Whether you're touring campus for the first time or are a Dartmouth student in need of a new place to eat, feel free to reference this list!
As I approach the end of my first year at Dartmouth, I would like to reflect on some of the experiences and lessons I've learned throughout this school year.
