Hello hello! I'm Sarah, a '29 from Burnsville, North Carolina (about an hour outside of Asheville, NC). I'm a Questbridge National Match Scholar here at Dartmouth passionate about global affairs, public policy, disaster relief, and anything in-between. On campus, I'm involved with the DOC (VHOC!!!), MUN, World Outlook Journal, World Affairs Council, and more. Reach out with any questions!
I was drawn to INTS80.06 as it was taught by Ambassador Jeffery Delaurentis, a career ambassador to Cuba and to the UN Security Council. Throughout the course, we explored the history of the international liberal order that the US created after WWII and where that same international sphere is going today---and if US leadership is necessary or guaranteed.
I had decided long before I knew that I wanted to go to Dartmouth that I was going to be in New England for college. I'm not a big heat person. I enjoy the summer and will always love a beach trip, but nothing kills me faster than humidity on a summer day. So, when looking at colleges, I determined that I would go to the Northeast—or at the very least, no further south than North Carolina.
For whatever reason, this translated into hockey. If I was going to be in New England, I was going to learn to play hockey. And yes, hockey isn't just a New England thing, but it certainly isn't an Appalachian thing, so I was determined to learn. This winter term has been great in a lot of ways—I've loved the snow and getting to bundle up in my new scarves. But particularly, I love that Occom Pond freezes over and I get to ice skate (or flail around and pretend).
Dozens of students skate and play hockey on frozen Occom Pond.
I'm not a good skater, let's make that clear, but I am slowly learning. Since the pond opened for skating at the beginning of the winter, I've tried to go skating every Saturday, when the Office for Outdoor Programming (OPO) hosts free open skate out of the DOC House.
Additionally, the Intramural (IM) Hockey program is robust in the winter. Each Residential Housing Community hosts their own team, as well as "DIY" teams—many from clubs, greek houses, or friend groups. IM Hockey also has different leagues to separate people of various experience levels. I played with friends from my house (and much of the Men's IM Ultimate Frisbee team) at the Green League—the league for those with no hockey experience. IM Hockey is extremely beginner-friendly and contactless.
Sore Caboose takes the ice!
Much of the team had never played hockey or skated, and it was a beautiful and fun catastrophe. The IM games take place atThompson Arena, the same ice that Dartmouth's D1 Hockey team plays at. I felt very professional playing at such a cool arena, even if I spent at least a quarter of my ice time during IM games on the ground.
The best IM Hockey team to grace the Green League: Sore Caboose!
Playing intramural hockey was one of those things I wrote about in my application to Dartmouth that I now find so amazing that I've already gotten to check off. I plan to keep skating and practicing each winter—possibly even joining Club Hockey! Either way, IM Hockey was such a fun experience to throw into my first winter term. Come my senior year, I'll be a pro skater.
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Sarah Getraer '26, a studio art major, showed me around her dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
