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.
Coming from the UK as a student looking to do engineering, I must confess that the idea of doing research as an undergraduate was quite foreign – it just isn't common where I'm from. Most universities (even here in the US) have a huge emphasis on graduate research, which often leaves undergraduates clawing for the few opportunities that are left – often the least desirable research jobs.
At Dartmouth, though, research is a commonality in the undergraduate community! Considering that we have two undergrads for every graduate student, and that research is conducted at a similar rate to other much larger universities, we as undergrads are actually encouraged to take part! Lots of my friends do research; for example: I have friends doing medical research, computer science research, physics research, and of course within my own major – economics research! I myself will actually be taking part in an awesome program within the economics dept called DERS (Dartmouth Economic Research Scholars), which matches each accepted student to a faculty member to do research with!
An example of an equation used in some research I had to do for my econometrics class!
And, of course, you won't be expected to do research for free here – you actually get paid! We have many funding opportunities on-campus, whether you are 'on' and taking classes, or if you're just hanging around Hanover (or even traveling to do field research) on an 'off term'! The URAD (Undergraduate Research Assistantships at Dartmouth) grants provide a stipend of $1200 for on-campus research during an 'on' term; the leave term grants program provides funding of up to $5600 per term for 'off' term funding to cover expenses like housing, or food; the Stamps Scholars program provides a huge $10,000 per year for two years to fund a proposed research project a student may have; and the Presidential Scholars program allows for $1200 per term for on-campus research, similar to the URAD grants!
Not only is research available on-campus, but I managed to find research with a professor from another university (back in my home country of the UK), and using the skills I have gained here at Dartmouth was able to become a co-author! When they say "oh the things you'll do" in the admissions spiel, I promise they're not lying.
Amid the whirlwind of a ten-week term, the quietest moments — studying in the sun, cooking with a friend, running through Pine Park — turn out to be the ones worth savoring most.
One of my absolute favorite classes I've taken at Dartmouth has been Cinematography I, which completely changed the way I watch films and think about storytelling. Read on to hear more about my experience!
