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!
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!
Looking back on my college search process, I remember really wanting to meet students to try and get a sense of the school's culture. To help you guys out, I decided to interview a couple '24s to help you guys get a sense of Dartmouth!
Snow, snow, snow, and more snow! Although my courses have definitely been difficult to manage, I have still been able to participate in some ~cool~ activities and admire winter in Hanover.
I was attracted by the opportunity to engage with first-year residents and shape their Dartmouth experiences, in addition to working with other UGAs and staff who shared my interest in helping others.
Nothing like hot chocolate on a cold day, eh?
Winter brings people closer together!
'Hey mom! I can skate now' ~picture by Elijah
