Hi, and welcome to my corner of the woods! I'm Lauren, a '27 from Munger, Michigan. My favorite places on campus include Sanborn (for writing), the river (for paddling), and the Green (for everything else). I'm excited to share a bit about my favorite place with all of you!
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 my major, was super interesting! I loved learning about archaeology through hands-on projects and lectures that felt like TED Talks.
My favorite course on my Italian LSA+ in Rome is focused on Italian literature, which we are studying in a reverse-chronological order! It has been incredibly fun to see different topics and styles evolve over time and to learn from the works of the best writers.
I’m absolutely loving this hands-on introduction to paleography, and the fact that my class meets at Rauner every day! I can’t wait to hear from our guest lecturers, too, and I’ll be sure to share those experiences on the blog. All in all, Latin 10 was a great way to get back into the language after a term away in Rome.
I live 12 hours away from campus by car; and the adjustments (and road trips!) that come along with that have been challenging at times. I've always been close with my family, so packing up and moving to Dartmouth was not a choice I took lightly. I knew I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience something new, but at times I still miss the familiarity of home.
I'm from a small, rural area—and sometimes, even Hanover can feel a bit too big. I grew up surrounded by farm fields, with miles of open space and quiet roads, so dorm life and the hustle and bustle of a college town were definitely a shift. But over time, I've found ways to make Dartmouth feel like home, and now, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
One of the best ways I've learned to combat homesickness is by getting outside. The Upper Valley's natural beauty reminds me of home, and through the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC), I've been able to go on outdoor adventures I never could have imagined at home. Whether it's hiking in the White Mountains, canoeing on the Connecticut River, or bird watching on the coat, I've discovered so many ways to appreciate nature here. One of my favorite DOC trips has been to volunteer at Dartmouth's Organic Farm, where I can reconnect with the kind of activities I grew up with. There's something incredibly grounding about spending an afternoon planting, harvesting, or simply enjoying the quietness of the farm.
Drying flowers at the Organic Farm!
DOC hikes are a great way to reconnect with nature!
Another method I use to minimize my homesickness is calling home! I love long woccoms (walks around Occom Pond), and they've become my go-to time to call home. But I don't just save my calls for long walks—as my mom and hometown friends can confirm; I take advantage of breaks between classes, walks downtown, or time spent waiting in the Collis stir-fry line to call home for a few minutes. Often, all I need is a five-minute chat with one of my little cousins or a quick update from a loved one to feel reconnected.
I think the most effective way I've fought homesickness, though, is by making a home for myself here at Dartmouth. Getting involved on campus and finding people who feel like family has helped me become truly comfortable here in Hanover. Over time, my goal has shifted from making the best of being far away from home to enjoying the home I have here.
Big group meals help make campus feel more like home!
Now, when I'm traveling, studying abroad, or just reflecting on the past couple of years, I find myself missing Hanover just as much as my hometown. That feeling—that Dartmouth isn't just my school, but where I belong—has been the most rewarding part of my college experience.
One of my greatest privileges at Dartmouth has been learning from Professor Ed. Miller of the History and Asian Studies departments. Read on to learn more about why he is my favorite professor!
The Sri Lankan New Year falls on the 13th and 14th of April, a time for plenty of celebrations and family time. At Dartmouth, I keep these traditions with my friends and celebrate a part of home every year!
Dartmouth offers students incredible opportunities during breaks through the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) trips. Options vary widely, from cozy cabin retreats with friends to adventurous climbing expeditions under starry skies.
