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!
I remember my ten-year-old self at my local skating rink, enduring fall after fall. I simply could not let go of the rails, and my head just figured I would never be able to do it. So when my friends invited me to ice skate on the (frozen) Occom Pond, I was terrified. The only reason I left my room that afternoon was that my pals promised they would teach me — and the International Student Association was running a free skate day for international students, so I figured there was no harm, no foul.
Occom Pond is an easy 10-minute walk from Baker Library. During the warmer months, it is a popular destination for picnics and walks, and during the winter, the fun is doubled, as students and staff alike flock for ice skating and hockey practice. If you do not own skates, don't worry: renting them for a day is only $10, while a hockey stick goes for just $2. There's also hot chocolate and a variety of snacks for the hungry skater. I got to the pond around 2:00, put on my rented skates, enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and stood up, ready to hit the ice!
Winter brings people closer together!
That's about the time when I realized I had no clue how skating worked. Bobbing all around the place, I somehow made my way to the adjacent room to store my boots. I found myself stuck, clinging to a wall, unable to balance. This young blonde fella showed me some trademark Dartmouth kindness and offered to help me get to the ice. His name is Adam, he is from 'near Manchester, England' and he became my friend right there. After helping (dragging) me to the ice, Adam went his own way, but every time I see him around, I make sure to say hi! Dartmouth's not short on nice fellows, as I have quickly taken notice.
On the ice, Elijah was my teacher. A friend from the Marching Band, he made sure I got the ropes of skating, of ‘pushing yourself with one foot and gliding on the other’. Focus on that glide, he instructed me. I felt like a child learning to walk! I welcome Hanover's cold. It enables me to go to places I never imagined myself in. I can't say I became very good at skating during those two short hours, but I can say that, if I woke up in the middle of Occom Pond, I could skate my way back to civilization, which is way beyond my initial goal of being able to stand up static on the ice.
'Hey mom! I can skate now' ~picture by Elijah
Overall, I had an amazing experience, and I thank all my friends — old and new — for helping me live it. It is rare to find a place where, on a whim, you can choose to go skating. Occom's strategic position and the accessible rental prices make this dream a reality at Dartmouth, and the awesome students make learning as much of a pleasure as skating!
There are so many things that come to mind when I ask myself what I miss about campus. The smiles as you pass classmates on the Green, the satisfaction of finishing a paper in the Baker Berry tower room, the sweet taste of a FOCO cookie.
Before I know it, it's already time to say goodbye to a somewhat unconventional freshmen year. The memories are here to stay, though. Here are some of my favorite snapshots of my freshmen year!
While many of us may not be on campus to sing and dance and toast to you, we remain so very excited for your joining the Dartmouth community, wonderful class of 2024!
Things I've learned in recent times: 'normal' is a figment of our imagination, and the new 'normal' isn't normal either. Reflecting on Dartmouth before a global pandemic and how I'm handling what it will be like now.
'24s, as the beginning of your Dartmouth experience nears, I thought that I would provide you with a couple of my own insights into what kind of things you will need to bring with you if you're on campus for your first term at Dartmouth.
Nothing like hot chocolate on a cold day, eh?
Winter brings people closer together!
'Hey mom! I can skate now' ~picture by Elijah
