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.
Dartmouth offers TONS of study abroad opportunities through the Guarini Institute, which you can browse through here. These programs range from Language Study Abroad (LSA and LSA+) to Foreign Study Programs (FSP) to exchange programs with other world-renowned institutions and Domestic Study Programs (DSP) right here in the United States! I think the main factor that sets Dartmouth apart is the focus on immersion during study abroad programs. Classes are designed to integrate cultural exploration with academics and take full advantage of their unique setting with a hands-on approach.
How I'm Approaching Rome (again)!
Engaging More with Locals:
Last time I was in Rome, I was new to studying Italian and the city—so I stuck mostly with my classmates. While I made great friends and lifelong memories, I want to focus more on engaging with locals and exploring everything Rome has to offer on my own during this study abroad. I've been working on a list of small shops and neighborhoods off the beaten path to visit, and I can't wait to practice my Italian!
Being More Present:
If you're anything like me, traveling somewhere new can sometimes feel like a checklist. FIRE was my first time visiting Italy, so I felt like I needed to see everything as quickly as possible. This time, I'm hoping to spend more time in the moment. To do this, I'll be keeping a journal to reflect on my experiences each day and focusing on depth of experiences over breadth.
Getting "purposefully lost" is one of my favorite ways to spend time in Rome
Packing Less:
On my first trip, I thought I needed to prepare for EVERY possible scenario. My suitcase was overflowing with items I didn't need, especially since Rome has tons of stores and vintage markets! This time, I'm packing light and leaving room for souvenirs. My biggest packing suggestion is a pair of comfortable shoes—I walked a lot on my first study abroad program.
We went on several short trips during the program—here, Witt is helping Matt and I carry our bags to the bus.
Staying Flexible:
Looking back on FIRE, I realized that some of my favorite memories came from unplanned moments: discovering beautiful architecture while lost, spontaneously deciding to go to a jazz concert next to the Colosseum, or just people watching in a piazza. I hope to have many more adventures during my second time in Rome, so I'll be sure to leave time in my schedule to wander and explore the city.
Great music with an even better view!
I can't wait to see what new things I can learn about Rome, the Italian language, and Italian culture from my unique opportunity to study abroad at the Dartmouth College Rome Center again this winter!
One of the most important aspects of being a Dartmouth student is knowing how to be a college student and manage your time effectively. As a first year student, these are resources that have helped me.
