Hey there! My name is Pau and I am a '25 from Nicaragua! At Dartmouth, I am a Government major modified with Economics and I also plan to minor in International Studies. A little more about me is that I have an undying passion for eating fruit, watching sunrises/sunsets, petting dogs, and finding myself in warm, cozy places. Feel free to ask me any questions on anything and everything that piques your interest about Dartmouth! I love to share :) Go Big Green!
In this class we pondered essential questions centered around human existence. To tackle "What Matters" we took a quest throughout time exploring different events throughout our collective history that have de-centered us in space and time and made us question how we derive meaning and purpose in our lives.
This class was led by Lisa Adams, MD, and Dr. John Butterly, MD, who are both AMAZING. This class discussed several health issues such as diseases, malnourishment, and improper sanitation that still plagues the world today and various solutions that can be undertaken to increase the overall health and wellbeing of the world's population.
A hallmark of the Dartmouth education, ECON 1 "The Price System" is offered during every term at Dartmouth except the summer. Whether or not students want to major in economics, many decide to make the first plunge into the world of supply and demand through this introductory course. ECON 1 was a memorable part of my Freshman Spring as I became engrossed into the economics department through the teachings of Professor Diego Ramos-Toro. This class helped me and other students alike gain an understanding of economic policy and concepts that I continue to be useful today. ECON 1 is a profoundly helpful course that would be beneficial to all students regardless of their academic interests.
Development Economics is a course that focuses on using statistical methodologies to understand a fundamental question what makes some countries rich and others poor? And what can we do about it?
Violence and Security is a class offered through the International Studies Department that seeks to understand the underlying causes of human conflict. To answer this question, the class takes on a multidisciplinary approach and draws from the fields of biology, anthropology, economics, and political science. I loved the way in which the class sought to “illuminate the news” through our discussions and also created a vivid space for us to actively question human behavior and the implications of governmental policy towards security.
Government 5 is one of Dartmouth’s most popular courses. In it, students get a taste for subjects in the international realm by thinking critically about the multiple facets of international politics including questions of conflict and security, global economics and trade, climate change, as well as allegiances and cooperation. I loved the way in which Professor Daryl Press was able to expertly weave current events into the class in order to make students gain a deeper understanding of the topics at hand.
Dartmouth's academic calendar is structured around quarters rather than semesters, giving students greater autonomy when planning their terms of study. According to Dartmouth's D-Plan, students need to be on campus during the fall, winter and spring of their freshman year, one summer term, and two terms of their senior year. Most students elect to fulfill the summer term requirement during the summer after their second year. This is commonly known as"sophomore summer", which is one of the distinctive features of the Dartmouth experience.
During sophomore summer at Dartmouth, the entire class of sophomores (now rising juniors) remains on campus to experience a more relaxed, and immersive academic and social environment. Campus at Dartmouth buzzes year-round with so many opportunities for research and leadership occurring during the summer term when campus is emptier than usual. While the typical course load at Dartmouth is three classes, many students take a lighter course load during the summer also known as a two-course term. Students then take advantage of delving into different subjects and spend their free time recreationally.
View of Berry Library from outside of Haldeman Patio
One of the things I've been so grateful for this summer is all of the time I've been able to go outside. This summer has been filled with hikes, sailing lessons, walks, canoe trips, cabin nights, dips in the river, and road trips. Spending time outdoors is an integral part of Dartmouth and is therefore facilitated by the College to make it accessible to students.
Sophomore summer fosters a strong sense of community amongst the sophomore class and there are many opportunities to bond. With only 25% of the student population on campus, students have the opportunity to take on leadership roles and participate in many clubs and student groups. Many people try out for dance groups that create summer versions of their normal ensembles. One of the highlights of my sophomore summer was supporting my friends who tried out for dance groups during dance showcases. During this event, most dance groups performed on a Saturday afternoon and a lot of the student body showed up to support friends.
I've found that the desaturation of campus combined with the reshuffling of students amongst one another results in a robust community of students who bond with one another and create lasting friendships. Sophomore summer has been by far one of the best experiences I've had at Dartmouth so far. I've been able to make so many new friends and create solid experiences that will last a lifetime.
In addition to blogging, I work as a Fellow for the Tucker Center, which focuses on promoting spiritual and ethical life on campus. As part of this role, I'm leading the Interfaith Alternative Spring Break Trip. Read on to learn more about my work!
