Hello, and welcome to my corner of the woods! I'm Lauren, a '27 from Munger, Michigan. On campus, I enjoy writing sports for The Dartmouth, going on as many DOC trips as I can, and hanging out with my friends. I also love Woccoming, doing the daily NYT mini crossword, and paddling!
I took this class as part of Dartmouth's first year writing requirement. We read a pro cyclist's life narrative, discussed research papers on controversial topics in sports, and wrote our own papers on a contentious sports technology of our choice. I really enjoyed this course's emphasis on discussion, and the small class size!
This was my first class in the classics department, which was super exciting as a classical studies major! We learned about the ancient Olympics and the connections between athletics and other aspects of ancient Greek society. I loved the final project in this class, which involved creating an argument about how the ancient pentathlon was scored!
To conclude my language requirement, I took Latin 3! This class was super exciting because we began to read ancient texts and poetry. We also took a class trip to the Rauner Special Collections library so we could physically handle and read some manuscripts. And as an added bonus, Latin counts as a prerequisite for my classical studies major!
As a part of my language study abroad in Italy, I also took a class on Italian history and culture! We went on field trips to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, participated in walking tours of Rome, and watched a lot of great cinema in this class! I loved it so much that I decided to minor in Italian.
This class, in addition to being a pre-requisite for both my major and my spring study abroad, was super interesting! I loved learning about archaeology in a chronological sequence, and I feel so much more prepared for my trip to Greece after completing this class.
As I mentioned in my last few posts, I'll be spending 24X abroad in Rome learning Italian through a Dartmouth study abroad program!
One aspect of this program that really excited me when I was applying was the opportunity to cook for myself. Except for a few Dartmouth-sponsored events each week, students participating in the F.I.R.E. program are expected to either cook for themselves or eat out in the city! I've been doing my fair share of both so far.
Our apartment kitchen has become a sort of social hub. Every evening, it comes alive with the buzz of many hands making light work. We've been taking full advantage of the local markets, which have made making authentic Italian dishes incredibly easy. Trying out new recipes is never daunting, because with such delicious ingredients, the preparation comes naturally! Another aspect of cooking that I have loved is the chance for my friends to share their home recipes with all of us. For example, tonight my friend Bella made us all quesadillas which reminded her of home!
Eating out has also been an adventure. Trastevere, the neighborhood in Rome which I will be calling home this term, offers everything from tiny family-run trattorias to bustling, modern establishments that cater mainly to tourists. We've discovered some amazing spots just by wandering around and trying things out! I've also been enjoying gelato—no offense to FoCo cookies, but the desserts here are unmatched! My favorite flavors so far have been pistachio and hazelnut.
Eating out and cooking are both delicious!
One of the highlights of the first week was a dinner party hosted by my friend, Sydney. She went all out to host the perfect evening for all of us! Our apartment was transformed into a beautiful bistro with candles, bouquets, and amazing food. Sydney made us eggplant bruschetta, spicy vodka pasta, and Caesar salad. We couldn't get over how amazing everything was, and how much effort she put into making the night memorable!
Our spread!
After dinner, we moved out onto the balcony to enjoy the cool evening air and the sounds of the city. We spent hours talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Even though the night was relatively relaxed, I know that I'll remember it forever. The combination of good food, great friends, and an absolutely gorgeous backdrop made it unforgettable.
Over the next few weeks, I definitely want to check out some more restaurants. So far, my favorites have been a small pizzeria in Testaccio frequented by locals, a quick dumpling spot right near the Dartmouth College Rome Center, and Bar Farnese, a small cafè I've visited every morning for a cappuccino and croissant.
On campus in the fall, I would like to try to cook more often. There's a kitchen in every dorm—I just need to start taking advantage of mine! I have always believed that sharing a meal with someone is a great way to become closer, and I have discovered in Rome that cooking is even more gratifying.
From orientation week to your classes, you can easily find community at Dartmouth! Read on to know how I met my Dartmouth family and where you might also find yours.
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
