Welcome to the transition diary from a big, cold Brazilian city to a small, very cold American town! I fell in love with Dartmouth soon as I got to know the College, and the last three years have expanded 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! Hope you all 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!
Professor XD Yang is one of the faculty teaching this incredible course. Generally, CS classes focus on programming and Math; it was great to spend some time just designing, and thinking about the why, not the how. I recommend this class to all curious minds who are willing to come up with some creative ideas!
Full disclosure: I picked this course for the distributive requirement, SCI. And yet, I fell in love with it! Professor Osterberg gave us not only an incredible overview of the world we inhabit and of the life upon it, but also perspectives on the future of humanity.
I will just go and say it: Professor Tine is my favorite. She is so nice, and has such a strong didactic structure, that I would trust her to teach me anything, and so should you if you ever come across one of her courses. I know a lot more about humanity, development, and even about myself now.
When talking about clubs, we generally talk about how it is to join one, or be part of one, as a freshman. Newsflash: people stay on clubs throughout their Dartmouth career! As you become more senior in a club, you become more familiar with the membership and traditions, but also take on the responsibility of welcoming new members to the organization. As Marching Band vice president, I feel a special duty to this club I love, and I'd love to share with you how I feel going into my senior season!
I still remember the first day I walked into Hartmann Auditorium, nearly three years ago. I was a shy freshman, with no musical experience, trying to navigate the chaotic atmosphere of a marching band the day before their second game of the season. Needless to say, I was scared out of my shoes. What sticks with me, though, is how helpful everyone was. The band's president set me up with an instrument, helped me figure out how to read sheet music, and was quick to invite me to the band's next social events and to the game the day after. I stayed in the band due to their kindness, their friendliness, and their willingness to help. Today, I am doing my best to offer the same to others.
Setting people up with instruments and music, writing emails to Campus, making sure everyone feels included and musically a part of the band can get pretty overwhelming. I am grateful to share these duties with every other band upperclassman. It is a shared duty to make sure everyone gets the experience we had. This is a mentality I've observed not only on band, but also on Brazilian society, the Collis Center, Greek houses, and any other campus social space. Dartmouth, as you may know, is built on a plentitude of traditions; that is because people care about passing on the torch!
One day, you too will be a senior in a club or society. It is a unique feeling; a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the new members who are soon to experience the joy you did freshman year. As our first two weeks culminate in our first game performance (a blowout win!), I feel accomplished and excited for the rest of my senior season.
Best wishes,
Gui '22
Give a rouse for the section of the week, the drumline!
Marching through Hanover is always so beautiful!
Give a rouse for the section of the week, the drumline!
