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 hiphop, 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!
What to Expect When You are Expecting (To Go Abroad!)
Even a seasoned traveler like myself (see picture) can feel insecure about studying abroad!
Okay, going abroad. Familiarizing with a new culture, being far away from most people you’ve gotten close to – including your family. It is not easy, but as someone who has, in a sense, been studying abroad for almost a year now, I can tell you it is worth it. The opportunities for learning, for cultural awareness, for new friends, for honing social skills, for developing a sense for the whole world, that is all unique and waiting for you in a study abroad experience. Are you sold on them yet? If so, let me tell you how Dartmouth offers you a complete platform of support on the difficult transition to another land.
Since I am going to China for a language study abroad (LSA+) next fall, I am required to attend a number of meetings before I leave. First, I'll have two meetings with Professor Zhang, the program coordinator in Beijing. In these meetings, one of which is one-on-one, Professor Zhang will clarify our itinerary in China, help us understand the inner workings of our host university, Beijing Normal, and introduce us to Beijing’s unique city culture. All these events help us feel safer and familiarized with space we will inhabit for 10 weeks, which I consider fundamental for studying abroad.
Me and Will are both going to the Beijing LSA+. You can see on our faces we are ready for it.
Another part of the foundation building is a Dick’s House consultation. Dick's House provides basic medical services to current students, and this extends to those going abroad. During my consultation, a medical provider first went over the vaccines recommended for those living in China, and I got a prescription for a couple of shots. Next, I got prescribed a basic medication kit for emergencies, and medication to help me adapt to higher terrain since my program takes a hike through Tibet (stay tuned next Fall for posts on that!).
The last part of our program preparation is a Guarini Institute (internationalization department) meeting on safety and security while abroad. We met with reps from the Student Wellness Center, Dick's House, and a current student who has gone abroad before, and the meeting covered topics from street safety to sexual safety. It also covered monetary concerns, health coverage, and all the other topics you don’t think about when planning your study abroad, but really should. It only lasted an hour and a half, but I feel like I learned a lot and feel a lot safer about arriving in Beijing and establishing myself there.
I got these sweet materials to prepare myself even better for my time abroad!
I may have an edge over someone who has not gone abroad yet, but I can say that these meetings were lifesavers. The foundation Dartmouth provides when going abroad proves that the community here travels with us wherever we may roam. I am very grateful for this since now I am not only feeling excited about going abroad, I am also feeling safe about the experience as well.
GIS was one of the experiences that played a major role in influencing my freshman experience, and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to give back and continue participating in the program.
Something that is relatively important to a Dartmouth term that has an unnecessary mysticism about it is the elusive period of testing at the end of every term known simply as "finals." While they are certainly difficult and do take a lot of work,
I participated as a Women in Science Program (WISP) intern, presenting a poster entitled “Visualizing machine learning models for predicting readmission after an acute myocardial infarction”.
A great number of candidates will visit Hanover and organize events in Dartmouth College to speak to students about their policy positions and plans for the future.
Me and Will are both going to the Beijing LSA+. You can see on our faces we are ready for it.
I got these sweet materials to prepare myself even better for my time abroad!
