Welcome to the blog of an Englishman studying at Dartmouth—do take a look around! Hopefully, my blogs will provide you with an insight on life at Dartmouth, and specifically through the eyes of an international student. Dartmouth has a ton to offer from the staggering natural beauty of its surroundings and stellar academic programs to the wonderful people you meet along the way. So stay a while, I'll make us cups of tea, and take a moment to discover life at the College on the Hill.
This class was SO interesting... We dug into the history of racial inequality in Brazil, stretching from the advent of slavery to persisting modern societal issues.
A course that I took completely impulsively turned into one of the most formative experiences I have had at Dartmouth. Through physical mediums and theatre, I rediscovered what it meant to be 'creative.'
Having always had a hatred for learning languages, I was wary of the requirement to do so here at Dartmouth. In reality, though, I needn't have worried! I absolutely loved every minute of this class, and now I can speak pretty good Italian!
This class was extremely enlightening, and it was especially interesting to study as a British person. I felt as though I brought a unique perspective to the class, but also that I was learning a side of history which was brushed past in my GCSEs!
I spent this term completing research with Professor Cascio of the Economics Department. Our work was concerned with educational investment, and it was one of my best experiences of Dartmouth so far!
This course teaches all about the economics of the development of economies, focusing on many case studies concerning education, housing, healthcare, and more!
This introductory computer science class was an amazing and immersive experience which introduced me to concepts in coding that I had no previous experience with. Definitely a must at Dartmouth!
This is the advanced finance class at Dartmouth – as part of the finance track within the economics major, I was lucky enough to take this class which gave me an incredibly deep understanding of financial markets and intermediaries, and expanded a lot on my knowledge of corporate finance.
I was fortunate enough to be able to intern at Citi over the summer – this was an incredibly enlightening experience, and well-placed me to begin a career in the industry.
I was lucky enough this term to take a class in the Tuck school of business. Here at Dartmouth, you can access these higher level business classes as an undergraduate!
Coming back to campus this fall, I was excited not only to reconnect with friends and dive back into academics but also to jump right back into Greek life. After a summer full of new experiences, being back in the brotherhood has been like returning to a second family. There's something about the camaraderie, shared traditions, and the collective energy of the house that makes Greek life such an integral part of my college experience.
I am a member of Phi Delta Alpha, a local fraternity based in the Big White House on Webster Avenue (the street that holds most of the fraternities and Sororities at Dartmouth). Our organization has existed since 1884, though nationally affiliated with Phi Delta Theta at that time, and was the first to build a physical house on campus with construction finishing in 1902. We have been separated from Phi Delta Theta and known as Phi Delta Alpha since 1960, as our national fraternity was unfortunately associated with discriminatory admissions policies that did not reflect the values of our welcoming Brotherhood.
This house has been incredibly meaningful to me, but also to thousands of Phis that came before. In their ranks are notable names such as David Benioff '91 (Game of Thrones TV show writer and producer), Pulitzer Prize winners Nigel Jaquiss '84 and Joseph Rago '05, and the Ex-CEO of General Electric Jeffrey Immelt '78. All of the people I am privileged to call my brothers come from incredibly different backgrounds and yet, one thing ties us all together–Phi Delt.
This year has felt especially meaningful because I've had the privilege of serving as rush chair. The process of running rush has been a mix of planning, strategizing, and a lot of late nights, but it's been worth it. I've gained a deeper appreciation for what goes into making our brotherhood thrive. From organizing events that reflect our values to coordinating efforts with the rest of the exec team, it's been a rewarding challenge that's brought me even closer to the house.
Beyond the logistics, I've really enjoyed getting to know both the incoming members and my brothers on a deeper level. There's a unique bond that forms when you're working together toward a shared goal, and being part of that has made me appreciate the brotherhood even more. I am often asked by those who are new to this grand college what exactly makes my house special. To that question, I have one word in response: brotherhood. I regard every single one of the 82 members of my house as a close friend, and to some degree, my family on campus. More than just some social club, I find within our domicile shoulders to cry on, people to study with, and most importantly: good conversation.
Running rush has also been an opportunity for me to reflect on my place within this organization and what led me to join it. I remember those hazy freshman days where the sun always seemed to shine (even in the cold cold Hanover winter) and rush seemed centuries away. I distinctly remember hearing about how unique Greek life is at this school, with so many organizations and such a large representation of campus that each house has a different personality entirely. I, for one, would be unlikely to be interested in the kinds of Greek systems you might see in the movies: homogenous groups of people interested in a very specific set of activities with relatively loose interpersonal ties. What I found in Phi Delt, however, was a sense of brotherhood I had been yearning for having moved to an entirely new country, and an opportunity to be a part of an organization that undeniably influences the culture of my college campus.
The house in which I live!
To get a little more specific on what I mean by "personality," let me tell you a little about my house and its traditions. The most obvious would be the music—we are well-known on campus for having speakers affixed to the front of our house that play music 24/7 (while being respectful of the neighbours, of course). We also only play music that is over 20 years old on these speakers, reflecting our devotion to maintain a space for lovers of older music that is hard to find on a College campus. In-keeping with the musical theme, we are indubitably tied into the fabric of the music scene on campus. We regularly host live student bands at our house, and each spring we host the largest non-College-ran event of the year: Block Party; before the Green Key concert starts, we close off the entirety of Webster Avenue and thousands come to watch a live band flown in from wherever we find them, and a student band in support.
Here's to another amazing year of brotherhood, growth, and making lasting memories with some of the best people I know!
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!
