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!
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!
Between a busy class schedule and numerous cultural activities, taking time to stop and appreciate a good book or piece of art has been hard. However, this week I took the conscious decision to step it up and make the arts a part of my routine!
Though September seems so long ago, it's quite a marvel that I've finished my first term at college! I'm officially an "adult" and have survived on my own, with lots of good memories and fantastic people by my side.
Just before Thanksgiving I finished up all of my classes and finals, and now I am home for 6 weeks. These are the things I miss most about Dartmouth while I'm away (not in any particular order).
The transition to a place like Dartmouth can be a very intimidating time for first-generation low-income students, but Dartmouth's QuestBridge community makes that transition easier than you can imagine.
Here are the top three tips I've learned to embrace the cold, because it'll happen weather you like it or not (See what I did there? Hahaha… prepare yourself for a very punny post)!
And just like that, I'm wrapping up my first term at Dartmouth. I've found it really difficult conveying exactly how time flows in college. It's like I've been here both forever and only just arrived. Here are my 19F highlights.
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!
