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 signed up for this Latin class after the FDOC (first day of class), and I'm so glad I added it to my sophomore summer schedule! Our class is combined with GRK 30.08 History and Structure of the Greek Language, and it has been incredibly interesting to compare the ancient languages and learn a bit of Greek.
FallIvrea, Italy
This term, I'm interning with the Olivetti Leadership Institute in Ivrea, a small town in northern Italy.
Spending a term away from campus is exciting—new cities, a new language, and the chance to build a new life, at least for a bit. But there are some aspects of campus life I've been missing, like bumping into friends on every corner, claiming a big table on FFB (First Floor Berry), and coordinating group dinners.
This fall, my friends and I are truly roaming the girdled Earth. From trekking across North America on the Earth Science Department'sStretch FSPto interning in Malta to researching in D.C., we've scattered into so many time zones that my world clock app can barely keep up. Staying close has taken effort—but it's also made this off-term feel less like a break from Dartmouth and more like an extension of it. Here's how I've been staying connected!
My Weather app is pretty cluttered these days too!
1. Texting
I normally try to limit screen time, but WhatsApp and Messages are my new exceptions. Transitioning from living with my best friends this summer to being independent in my first apartment has been a big shift, and it's comforting to know I can fire off a quick "You won't BELIEVE what just happened" and know someone will respond when they can.
My favorite part is the accidental comedy of time zones—receiving someone's 2 a.m. revelation as I get ready in the morning, or sending a sunset photo to friends walking into a morning lecture.
2. Phone Calls and FaceTime
Every week or so, I try to block out time for FaceTimes or calls. They always start with, "Wait, can you hear me?" and involve at least one person freezing mid-story, but they've become a treasured part of my life here. Hearing familiar voices and seeing familiar faces (even if they're a bit pixelated!) reminds me how much I miss my friends—and how lucky I am to have people I'm this excited to return to.
3. Instagram
I also made a small, private Instagram account to share photos of my term. I try not to curate it too much, instead posting the little details I don't want to forget. It feels like a modern postcard, sent in real time. I know one day I'll be glad to have these photos and videos preserved in one place, especially with comments from my friends attached!
I love that I can caption my photos on Instagram to look back on one day!
4. Email Updates
In a very Dartmouth fashion, I started sending occasional email updates—a sort of informal personal newsletter with photos, anecdotes, and a bit of reflection. Writing them helps me slow down and actually process how grateful I am to have this opportunity. Plus, nothing beats getting an overly formal reply from a friend, complete with an email signature.
Who knew emailing could be so fun?
Being far from campus has pushed me to build new routines and adjust to a new rhythm. But being able to share those changes, even across oceans, with the people who know me best—that's what keeps me grounded. My favorite thing about Dartmouth has always been the people, and I'm grateful that no matter where I roam, they're still with me.
