Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
About a week ago, I sat on my computer, somewhat distracted from work, and I wondered what outdoor opportunities I could take advantage of in the near future. Looking for inspiration, I opened Trailhead, the online platform for the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC), where all kinds of student-led trips are listed—all completely free. Scrolling through the options, I noticed an ice skating trip scheduled for the next day on a local lake.
I had heard from friends that the skating conditions had been perfect for the past week, thanks to prolonged periods of freezing temperatures. With a bit of hesitation, I decided to sign up. The pressure of upcoming midterms was increasing, and I wasn't sure if escaping from campus would be productive at the time.
After attending my classes the next day, I met up with my fellow trip participants and our trip leaders behind Robinson Hall (aka Robo) at 1:30 p.m. We gathered our skates, loaded into a DOC van, and made the short 20-minute drive north to Lake Morey in Vermont.
Before I knew it, I was gliding across a narrow, cleared strip of ice that wrapped around the lake's circumference. I was relieved to find that my skating muscle memory returned quickly (after a period of shakiness and possibly a few falls). The ice was at least six inches thick in the thinnest spots—still plenty thick to be completely safe. The surface was also mostly smooth, though occasional cracks kept me on my toes.
Halfway around the lake, a sudden snow squall swept through, reducing visibility to near-whiteout conditions. The transformation was surreal—one moment, I was skating under clear skies, and the next, I was surrounded by swirling snow. Just as quickly as it arrived, the squall passed, revealing bright sunshine once again. By the time we needed to head back, I had completed a full four-mile loop and had time to skate for another half hour.
Skating into whiteout conditions!
By 3:30, we were back on campus—a jarring return to reality after such an immersive experience. Having never skated on such a vast, open body of water before, I was in awe of what I had just done. Before signing up, I had hesitated—worried about falling behind on work or the risk of injury—but the trip had been entirely worth it. Given the chance, I would skate on Lake Morey again in a heartbeat.
Looking ahead to the next five weeks of the term, I hope to embark on more adventures and try new outdoor activities—perhaps even backcountry skiing. Lately, I've also been experimenting with Nordic skiing, so stay tuned for a post on that. Ultimately, these DOC trips are an incredible resource, offering students the chance to step away from the chaos of classes and student life. If something interests you, go for it—you never know what unforgettable experiences await.
This past December, I traveled to Vietnam as part of the "Developing Vietnam" study abroad program! Here is a—little overdue—photo journal of my three weeks in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Winter at Dartmouth has many special traditions, but my favorite winter activities so far have been the "little things": the random, spontaneous adventures Dartmouth students experience daily. Read to learn about my encounter with the "Winter S's"!
