My name is Michal, but I often end up being called Michael. I am a '27 from Lozorno, a small town outside Bratislava (Slovak capital). I am an exUWCer. I am passionate about climate change and sustainability in general. I want to devote my life to making this world a little more sustainable. I am an incredibly curious person and I'll be exploring as much of Dartmouth as possible from hardcore research to different sports to American culture. Please enjoy my adventures and thoughts on Dartmouth!
I am an adventurous person who loves to explore. I've taken on some pretty daring activities, like hiking active volcanoes, scuba diving in the Indian Ocean, and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. I was pleasantly surprised to find various adventurous pursuits after attending Dartmouth College. In fact, over the past few months at Dartmouth, I've developed more outdoor skills than I did in the years before.
For instance, just last week, I returned from my "AIARE 1" course, which focuses on decision-making in avalanche terrain. The program involved a weekend away from school to learn about snow safety, backcountry skiing, and avalanche rescue techniques on Mt. Washington. The other awesome thing is that Dartmouth owns tons of outdoor cabins across New Hampshire, and all Dartmouth students have free access to them; all you need to do is reserve the cabin on a website. Despite it being late in the season and some areas lacking snow, we were able to enjoy a snowy mountain escape!
The Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) has been a fantastic resource, offering trips and activities available to all undergrads. Dartmouth provides rental gear at no cost, and most day trips are free! For the few trips that aren't free, students on financial aid—like me—can apply for partial or full aid. The "AIARE 1" course, which usually costs $500, was only $80 for me as a DOC leader-in-training and a student on financial aid.
Beyond avalanche training, the DOC offers various activities such as ice climbing, skiing, trail running on the Appalachian Trail, and even swimming in the icy Connecticut River. Dartmouth's unique location offers students countless outdoor opportunities.
Unfortunately, this past winter was not as snowy as previous years—a trend influenced by climate change and phenomena like El Niño, negatively affecting native ecosystems. In spite of the challenges with changing snow levels and frost days, the DOC is always up and running with trips for students.
Dartmouth's vibrant outdoor program and welcoming community make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dynamic college experience. Ultimately, the people you meet and the friendships you form enrich your experiences, whether in academics, work, or outdoor adventure. My time at Dartmouth has been defined by fun and meaningful connections.
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.
After three terms apart due to Dartmouth's D-plan, junior spring marks a joyful reunion with old friends, deepened by the Toulouse study abroad group that has carried their bond seamlessly back to campus.
