Welcome to the transition diary from a big, cold Brazilian city to a small, very cold American town! I fell in love with Dartmouth, and I'm sure my first term will expand my love, as there is a lot to enjoy here in the woods: majors and minors, extracurriculars and clubs, many new open doors to a curious mind like mine! This was written to lofi hip hop, which I could listen to all day if I could, so come to me if you want some nice music to study or relax to. Hope you guys like the content!
Introduction to the amazing language of Chinese, taken with Mao Lao Shi. Really got my mornings going! I think all Dartmouth students should make the most out of their language classes, as they offer unique cultural opportunities and stick with you for life. I'm grateful for all who shared that classroom with me, and I am very happy to realize how much I have progressed in a subject so new to me.
My writing seminar, themed on Asian Conflict and Cooperation. I got to discuss a topic beyond my comfort zone, and had a blast! My classmates were really giving their best, and professor Rezvani gave us an incredible learning experience and an organized debate environment. This class opened my horizons , and I am really happy I took it, having looked forward for each class! My writing style improved greatly due to this class, which makes it all the better!
The class that first got me into CS, and eventually led to me choosing my major! I believe this class should be a requirement to graduate. Most students at Dartmouth take it already, and it figures. Great class, provides you tools you can use in whatever field you choose!
I took three Chinese classes this term, so I chose the last one to show off. This was the term I had my LSA+ experience in China! Got to travel all over, and improved my Chinese a ton. I encourage every Dartmouth student to take a language, even if you start at intermediate level, so you can go on an LSA+ or FSP experience!
A blast of a class! Discussion, great readings and a lot of amazing topics to learn. Also, Professor Joe Vignone was a bright spot on my term. A perfectly quirky man, I loved being one of two people to laugh at his jokes and his novelty t-shirts. He is also superbly smart and got me interested on a class I thought I was just taking to fulfill a graduation requirement!
Great Professor, great TAs, great class. I didn't think I'd like this class: it is infamous for being a lot of work. Don't get me wrong, it is, but it is work you do with a smile on your face. The teaching team is great, there is a lot of awesome material to cover and it's great to have some smartphone programming ability. Greatly recommend to CS majors!
Quite a while ago, Professor Mowry (Mao Lao Shi), my Chinese 1 professor, encouraged me to go on the LSA+. One of her arguments was the trip to Tibet. She said it was a unique opportunity to get in touch with a culture inside of China that is not what we traditionally think of as 'Chinese.' It is also a chance to verify that China is indeed a plural country, not the homogenous place we tend to think of in the West. After taking said trip, I must say I agree with Mao Lao Shi.
My friend Katie and I near the bluest lake in the world.
Tibet is a region with a complex past. The relationship between Tibet and China dates back to the Tang dynasty, when a Chinese princess married the Tibetan king. Since then, a tradition of cultural interchange unrolled. Even then, Tibetan culture is still alive and truly distinct. With their own language (Tibetan) and religious practices with the many sects of Tibetan Buddhism, there is a lot to discover up on the mountains.
Yaks are a real symbol of the Tibetan plateau.
Tibetan food is one of a kind. With such high altitudes, not many animals can be farmed. Yaks are naturally adapted to those conditions, and therefore form the basis of Tibetan diet. Yak milk, cheese and meat were all present in every one of our meals. The taste is very unique, and I for one really liked it. The thin air of the mountains can make you sick very fast, and I found the heavier food helped in dealing with this problem.
Our visits centered mostly around the many temples of Tibet. I had seen Buddhist temples back in Brazil, and they always sparked my interest. However, my previous knowledge did not prepare me for Tibet. The temples' air is thick with incense, and the small spaces in them made me experience a mix of coziness and claustrophobia. The many statues that adorn the chapels may cause discomfort at first, but after a closer look and better understanding, one quickly finds themselves entranced by them. I had many good spiritual experiences in these chapels, and gained a newfound admiration for Tibetan Buddhism.
Was Mao Lao Shi right about this trip? Definitely. I gained a newfound understanding about diversity and multiculturality in China. I also discovered a small paradise in the mountains, where despite any hardships people are always friendly and warm. The air of Tibet may be thin, but it definitely got me hooked!
But at the end of the day, when people ask me what my favorite Dartmouth memories are, I'm always thinking about the place. Ice skating, pink sunsets, riverbanks, or canoeing? That's my highlight reel.
While the student body at the College may be relatively small, students here recognize that their vote can hold a lot of weight in New Hampshire, a classic swing state.
After walking around campus all day in eye-catching attire, we headed to a Murder Mystery night hosted by Phi Tau (a fraternity) in one of the tents scattered around campus.
My personal visit to Dartmouth was a huge factor in my decision to apply, so in honor of Week 7, I hope this blog post can virtually illustrate some of what Dartmouth has to offer in seven images – worth 7,000 words!
Each incoming student was assigned to one of the six houses: School House, South House, East Wheelock House, North Park House, Allen House, or the best house (West House).
Over the past year, I've talked a lot with prospective students. Picking college is a big deal, but if I knew what I do now, I'd still pick Dartmouth a dozen times over.
Read all about my course selection for freshman fall! In order to mask my panic at the idea of it already being week 7 and having to once again choose classes, I decided to reflect on the classes I chose this term.
My friend Katie and I near the bluest lake in the world.
Yaks are a real symbol of the Tibetan plateau.
Look, mom! I'm on the roof of the world!
