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.
While I haven't studied abroad yet, I'm in the middle of figuring out which program might be right for me. My major choice will influence which programs I'm most interested in. I still have time, though, since I don't officially declare a course of study until the winter of my second year; however, planning ahead is important because some programs have prerequisites. In this post, I'll review Dartmouth's diverse study abroad options and go over my top choices.
There are three classifications of study abroad programs at Dartmouth: Language Study Abroads (LSAs), Foreign Study Programs (FSPs), and Exchange Programs (usually denoted by EXCH).
LSAs can be further broken down into LSA+s and normal LSAs; an LSA+ requires completion of the entire introductory course sequence (e.g., French I, II, and III, which is equivalent to an AP or IB credit). Regular LSAs, on the other hand, typically require only one introductory course, with the remaining courses completed during your study abroad. LSAs are essentially an option to fulfill the language requirement by studying off-campus and exposing oneself to another culture. Some popular LSAs include the LSA+ French Language Immersion Program in Toulouse and the Full Immersion Rome Experience LSA.
FSPs, however, are different from LSAs in that they're offered in the department of your major or minor. FSPs allow you to go deeper into your major from a different direction—for example, going to Costa Rica for ecology fieldwork, Vienna to delve into music, or Polynesia to apply your linguistics knowledge. While LSAs enrich your Dartmouth experience through language acquisition, FSPs deepen your knowledge and skills in a particular subject (while also providing cultural exposure). That is the essence of an FSP.
The last option I'll quickly mention is the exchange program option. These are the tried and true programs in which students from one university are exchanged with Dartmouth students (whom you might run into on-campus!). There are exchange programs to attend more colleges across the US if, for example, there are particular courses you'd like to take, and there are exchange programs to universities in other countries (if you'd like to study in a particular location). A few international institutions that offer exchange programs include Bocconi University in Milan, Chinese University in Hong Kong, and Oxford University in the UK. See all options for LSAs, FSPs, and exchange programs on the Guarini Institute's website.
In my journey to choosing a study abroad program, my major prospects have changed and so too have the programs I was interested in. When I came to Dartmouth, I saw myself pursuing research and potentially staying in academia. I took introductory Biology and Earth Science courses and considered going on the Biology FSP in the Caribbean or "The Stretch" (the Earth Science FSP) across the Western United States. Then I exposed myself to entrepreneurship through TuckLab and took ENGS 21 (Introduction to Engineering). I had initially dismissed engineering, but I began to realize I enjoyed implementing design principles. I could see how engineering would allow me to work across a variety of fields rather than just conducting research in one specific area.
A scene from nearby Norwich in Vermont during a run—a prime time to think about study abroad options.
So, after realizing engineering was more aligned with my interests, my top options (as of now) are the Sustainable Engineering FSP in Berlin, one of the Engineering Exchange Programs (offered in Denmark, New Zealand, Thailand, or Hong Kong), or the Classics FSP in Rome. The engineering programs would allow me to gain international experience while completing relevant coursework, given the numerous engineering requirements. The Classics FSP would simply be a way to complement my study of engineering due to my interest in art history, architecture, and design as a whole. Ultimately, my decision will come down to which program I see myself learning the most. Soon, I'll be filling out applications a year in advance—I'll eventually post an update, and one day, on the program itself!
Coming back to Dartmouth for my senior year, I have been loving pursuing my major. However, what I love about the liberal arts education is that you can take classes for interest far beyond any classes in your major.
For those who want to attend medical school after their undergraduate education, the infrastructure of a "pre-med" track is an important factor when choosing a school to apply to. Here's how the premed experience has been for me at Dartmouth!
It's been (almost) a full year since I was in your (figurative) shoes! Let's take a trip down memory lane and dissect my Dartmouth application process. Part one of a long journey!
