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!
Snow is what you make of it. I spent last Friday night up in the mountains, jammin' in a cabin with the Cabin and Trail club, one of the many things that make Winter term the best time of the year!
CnT, as we call the club, is part of the Dartmouth Outing Club. They organize weekly meetings to discuss their planned trips for the week. Ranging from 9.7-mile hikes near the Skiway to chill sleepovers in one of Dartmouth's numerous cabins, there's something available for both seasoned and fresh hikers. I, as the freshest hiker there is, chose a Friday sleepover as my first club activity.
Playing the Bells at low light... Nothing beats it!
My adventurous spirit soared as I waited behind Robo (Robinson Hall), my Bells resting on my lap. We were encouraged to bring musical instruments to this hike, to make this a real Jamfest® in the woods. Our group of nine soon got together, and we drove to the side of the Appalachian Trail, instruments resting on our laps. Led by a student leader, we spiked up our boots and started our ~0.75 hike up the snowy mountain, heading for our cabin.
It was quite the climb: wind in our faces, darkness all around, and quite an inclination to overcome. We, however, pressed on. Past the highway, past the snow, and even past the skiway. Soon, we were at the doorstep of our home for the night: Nunnemacher cabin.
Jammin around the fire!
Built in 1957, Nunnemmacher is one of the ~20 cabins Dartmouth students may rent for personal use during the year. The cabin itself has three rooms: a kitchen, a living room, and an attic. It can house up to 20 people, and heating comes from the wood stove in the kitchen. As soon as we got in, we were treated to a beautiful view of the woods around us. Basking in it, we started the fire and soon we were jammin' our many guitars (and glockenspiel). Eating snacks and snuggling up to escape the severe cold outside, we all knew we made the best Friday night plans ever.
After a lot of fun, the night got the better of us and we went to sleep around the fire. It kept us warm, and I had an amazing night of rest. In the morning, we packed up and made our way back down the trail, through the snow, and to the parking lot. Our van was waiting for us - a little bit frozen, of course. After dealing with this minor detail, we were on our way back to campus. Our wilderness escapade went from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., allowing everyone to get on with their Saturday activities.
Walking back to Campus after an amazing night...
I came back wanting more. Few things are prettier than the New Hampshire wilderness, and having the DOC to offer everyone the chance to see it for basically free (my trip was $1!) is more than unique. I hope that soon I can have another experience with people as amazing as the ones that went up to Nunnemmacher with me. Not even the cold could keep me from it!
Thinking back, this winter has been a whirlwind. I wanted to use this final blog post as an opportunity to organize my thoughts and share some reflections as I move into my final term!
Dartmouth is home to 35 Division I varsity teams, 33 club sports, and a variety of intramurals, so I assure you that there is a place to get involved here for student-athletes of all levels.
Built in 1957, Nunnemmacher is one of the ~20 cabins Dartmouth students may rent for personal use during the year. The cabin itself has three rooms: a kitchen, a living room, and an attic. It can house up to 20 people, and heating comes from the wood stove in the kitchen. As soon as we got in, we were treated to a beautiful view of the woods around us. Basking in it, we started the fire and soon we were jammin' our many guitars (and glockenspiel). Eating snacks and snuggling up to escape the severe cold outside, we all knew we made the best Friday night plans ever.
