![Martin sitting and smiling](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0579_-_martin_skacel.jpeg?itok=_gGsio_A×tamp=1694611967)
![Mountains over a serene alpine lake](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x236_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/bg/img_9075_-_martin_skacel.jpg?itok=ZEpj8lS0×tamp=1694612009)
Martin Skacel
![Martin sitting and smiling](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x420_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_0579_-_martin_skacel.jpeg?itok=_gGsio_A×tamp=1694611967)
![Martin posing in front of the sunset atop a mountain in Colorado.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_2178_2.jpg?itok=4ahCWUn2×tamp=1694715900)
From Veazie to Hanover: A Brief Introduction!
Hello! Ahoj! Pozdravujem!
However you say it, hello and welcome to my blog on the People Places Pines Dartmouth Admissions page! For this first post, I want to give you a little bit of background about me, where I come from, and what I hope to do at Dartmouth!
I grew up in a small town in rural Maine called Veazie with my mom, dad, sister, and two cats! My parents are originally from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia)—"ahoj," and "pozdravujem," both mean hello in Czech and Slovak. As first-generation Americans, my sister and I grew up in two cultures at once—that of our parents and that of rural America. Growing up, I played soccer and swam competitively. I went to high school in the larger nearby town of Bangor, Maine. There, I spent my time learning in the sciences, particularly biology. Outside of class, I did things like science club, swim team, and explored the outdoors!
It's no secret that Dartmouth is an outdoors-oriented school. Not only is it located in the wilderness (accordingly coined "The Woods"), but you'll hear current students talk about how they enjoy spending their free time skiing, biking, hiking, fishing, skating, camping, running, exploring, and literally any other outdoor activity (seriously—if it takes place outdoors, someone here probably does it)! While liking the outdoors is certainly not a requirement of being a student here, Dartmouth's location allows for easy access to nature, and you'll notice that people here can't get enough of the wilderness! For me, it's the exact same. I prefer to spend my free time skiing, hiking, rowing, biking, skating, swimming, playing various sports, or chilling on the Green with friends! This fall, I'll be joining the club swim team and winter sports club (many clubs like these two at Dartmouth are open to anyone and everyone, regardless of previous ability)!
Apart from the outdoors, I'll be getting involved in campus organizations. Besides pursuing my interest in biology and STEM in classes, I'll also be trying out programs like Dartmouth-EMS, and I just recently joined DUBS (the Dartmouth Undergraduate Biology Society). As I mentioned, I'm exploring the sciences and the humanities to see what's right for me, but currently, I am considering majoring in biological sciences (possibly on the pre-dental track)! These plans can and will likely change—but that's part of Dartmouth! That's part of exploring, and I'll be doing that throughout the next four years with the help of Dartmouth's rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Don't worry... I'll keep you updated along the way!
My goal through this blog is to help future '28s, '29s, '30s, and beyond gain a better view of Dartmouth and what it's like to be a student at this school! I'll take you through the trials and tribulations, the excitements, and each and every new experience.
See you soon!
Martin
Posts You Might Like
![Summer at Occom](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/summer_1706x1280.jpg?itok=XYDGUdoH×tamp=1717840926)
As my first year comes to an end, I would like to invite you to explore the beauty of our campus through my photos!
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![snowy day](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1708x1248snow.png?itok=Qy6uo7_a×tamp=1715055933)
As an international student myself, I understand the unique challenges we face moving to a new country. In this blog, I'll share some tailored advice to help you prepare for your new adventure.
![blogger_image](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/wechatimg3290.jpg?itok=_fEvVHFF×tamp=1695605711)
![Pink and blue sunset taken from Fahey Hall looking across to Allen House dorms](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog/list-item/img_2496_1.jpg?itok=6akfsQf5×tamp=1713273106)
Here are some of my favorite sunsets in Hanover—enjoy!
![Bio Photo](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img-6494-3.jpg?itok=VG4V9SlA×tamp=1663722634)
![An aerial shot of around 40 people crowded in a log cabin. Someone at the front seems to be speaking, with everyone around listening in some kind of a circle.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/5d6c3966-c1ee-430c-b0a1-20bbebae73a3_1_105_c.jpeg?itok=B7agkZlo×tamp=1713558053)
Explaining everything that goes into becoming a Dartmouth tour guide.
![Julia smiling set against some greenery](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/7382cb94-d687-4bfb-8a21-71ed89dfbf02_1_201_a_-_julia_cappio.jpeg?itok=YTR5eHTl×tamp=1694612238)
![An image of a seashell drawn with charcoal on a canvas](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_1665.jpeg?itok=SBd2Lyeu×tamp=1703404860)
My take on course selection and how to navigate it!
![Profile Picture](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/img_6959_2.jpeg?itok=8Ic27ok0×tamp=1717243884)
![a picture of the monument in Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/blog_blackstarsquare_1.jpg?itok=wN1UlvOG×tamp=1709438699)
I was excited to hear that two of my friends will be studying abroad in Ghana. Talking with them about what to expect from the program made me remember all the great memories and lessons I made and learned from my study abroad experience there.
![Chidera Duru '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/chidera_duru-blog.jpg?itok=GSm7vd0Z×tamp=1633962623)
![View from Kinsman](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/1000010749.jpg?itok=pnYBe8od×tamp=1707022498)
Wellness is super important in college, but especially at Dartmouth – terms move super quick here! Read on to find out more about my perspectives on the topic at Dartmouth.
![Luke Grayson '25](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/luke_grayson_25.jpg?itok=EsArUf28×tamp=1632752229)
![A photo of Dartmouth Hall with my ski tips in the foreground. My skis are out of focus, whereas Dartmouth Hall is in focus.](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/img_8438.jpeg?itok=MenRsuxM×tamp=1707085351)
Come along with me on a day of skiing and teaching at the Dartmouth Skiway.
![Julia smiling set against some greenery](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/7382cb94-d687-4bfb-8a21-71ed89dfbf02_1_201_a_-_julia_cappio.jpeg?itok=YTR5eHTl×tamp=1694612238)
![Bildner Dorm Hall in Fall 2023 a view of the patio entrance to Bildner Hall from the center of the McLaughlin dorm cluster. Light is reflecting off of the tree leaves in the upper right corner](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/400x274_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-post/photos/f23_bildner_with_sun_on_leaves.jpg?itok=rlgdn_tk×tamp=1705782410)
Transitioning to college is a one-of-a-kind experience, and I am highlighting what that process looked like for me.
![Portrait of Lily sitting in the woods](https://admissions.dartmouth.edu/sites/admissions.prod/files/styles/60x60_blog/public/admissions/content/blog-author/image/lily_10-12_-_lily_johnson.jpg?itok=kREBBEd0×tamp=1694612886)