Hello, 你好, and Bonjour! My name is Tao; I'm from New York City, and I'm a proud first-generation student. I'm currently interested in studying applied math and learning a new language (French, with the intent of studying abroad using my D-Plan!) at Dartmouth. I love being immersed at campus–especially aesthetic Woccoms, fookie grubs at FOCO, and Baker-Berry Tower Room study sessions. Come one, come all: let me take you along!
Academic Program
Mathematics and Quantitative Social Science with a minor in French
I filled out an extensive form on First-Year-Trips just a few months ago. Yes, the famous tradition at Dartmouth: going on a First-Year-Trip (FYT)! Unlike typical orientation-week, first-year-students at Dartmouth are offered a chance to choose from more than 30+ trips with a small group of their classmates!
To preface, I'm a New Yorker—as in New Yorker from New York City. Yeah, we don't really go hiking there…But this is why Dartmouth is amazing: I get to be adventurous and try new things. So I did! Out of the three difficulties of hiking options on FYT, I chose moderate hiking. Dartmouth also makes outdoor activities super accessible for first-generation, low-income students like me. My financial aid was able to cover the fee of my trip, and the Dartmouth Outing Club provided me with all the gear I possibly could, framepack, boots, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad—I was prepared!
Fast forward a few weeks, the second week of September, I received an email in my inbox telling me that I have been officially placed into trip section D43.2 for Moderate Hiking! The morning of our trip, I was sent by lovely upperclassmen from campus onto a bus ride to the base camp of Mount Cardigan with my trip groups—consisting of first-year students called "trippees," and upperclassmen leaders "trip leaders"! I immediately clicked with these lovely humans on my trip the second I met them; and it feels quite surreal to think that I get to be their classmate for the next four years.
DAY 1: OPERATION D43.2 COMMENCES
Introducing my fellow trippees, left to right: Conner Sullivan '28, Nori Schneider '28, Jackson Price '28, Brady McGawn '28, Theo Pollex '28, Margaret Raffo '28, and Charlotte Stevens '28!
As soon as we arrived at the campsite, we set up a huge tent under the tarp. And for the next two days, I'd bond over 2 A.M. "tarp talk" with my trippees. We talked about anything and everything, from philosophical ideas like "free will" to horror stories.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's wind back.
After setting up the tent, we had packed some snacks and went on a mini-hike before our major hike to build up some stamina. The climb was pretty challenging for a first-timer like me! But it was doable with multiple mini stops (and whenever we stopped, we'd ask one of the trippee why they chose Dartmouth, fun way to get to know my trippees!).
The mini-trail was roughly about 1600 feet, which took around two hours. When we got to the top, we cheffed up a charcuterie board! We had sharp cabot cheese, sun-butter (personal favorite), sausage, banana chips, and apples.
Charcuterie board after a rewarding hike. This was also my first time hiking! Featuring trip leaders, Caroline and Annabel, as well as some of my trippees:Margaret, Nori, and Charlotte.
After we got back from the hike, we started preparing for dinner tonight. We rolled out the pot, set up the make-shift stove, and began chopping out ingredients. What are we making, you ask? Drum rolls, please. Dun dun dun: curry! The curry was so good; you just have to trust me on this one.
Making curry at our campsite for the first night! Annabel's First-Year-Trip playlist was jamming in the background—we were grooving! From left to right: Jackson Price '28, Caroline Klearman '27, Charlotte Stevens '28, and Annabel Everett '25
After a hearty, warm bowl of curry and rice, we got into our tent and snuggled. When I tell you we were this 🤏 (approximately one inch) away from each other, my trippees quite literally got close with each other in just under 24 hours; despite our diverse experiences, we'd talk for hours and hours before dozing off.
DAY 2: "YEEHAW!"
Snacks, packed! Water bottles, filled! Extra layers, check! D43.2, ready to climb! As one of our trippee, Conner, would say throughout the trip: "YEEEEHAW!" This hike was no joke—not too hard, but definitely a hike. We trekked a total of 6 miles and 3,100 feet up in elevation. But we broke the hike into two parts: we'd hike the "Orange Trail" which cuts directly into Mount. Cardigan halfway through the hike, so we get to see two summits at once!
Orange Trail started off great; though, it steadily picked up in steepness. By the time we got up to the summit of the trail, we were so hungry. Solution? We made our iconic charcuterie again, this time with the addition of Fig bars. We also took a nap under the sun (or sunbathed) to recharge before heading towards Mount. Cardigan.
"YEEHAW!" After our final break, we are ready to make the final push to the summit of Mount Cardigan. Along the way there were various interesting biomes, ranging from granite cliffs, to muddy swamps, spiny forests filled with twigs and logs, as well cliffs with white flower patches growing along—enchanting. With determination and grit, the fire tower in the near distance, we climbed up the very, very steep hill and finally reached the top!
Nori flying a kite next to the fire-tower!
Me and my trippees bonding over mother nature 3,100 feet above the ground, featuring Brady and the soaring rainbow kite! The song Northern Attitude by Noah Kahan is playing in the background as we stare into the distance.
DAYS 3 and 4: And that's a wrap!
After our Cardigan hike, we spent the final night together—we made really, really good Mac and Cheese with the leftover sharp cabot—before taking the bus to the Sklodge, where all of the trippees spend a night together from different sections before heading back towards campus. But, my dear prospective 29s, I'll leave that for you to explore! Alas, we arrived at Hanover, unpacked our stuff and returned our gear, received our First-Year-Trip merch, and said our goodbyes—though, not the final goodbye because I know we'll see each other again very soon at every corner of the campus.
We were so tired after the hike and are in desperate need of a shower! D43.2 forever.
As I replay the shared Spotify playlist we put together on the way back to campus and reminisce on our photos together, I can't help but miss my trippees.
Being at Dartmouth opens so many opportunities for me to explore, especially the wilderness, and I cannot wait to continue doing that via the Dartmouth Outdoor Clubs with their extensive subclubs featuring Ledyard Canoe, Cabin and Trail, People of Color Outdoor, and more!
Join me for a 5:30 A.M adventure as I hike the Gile Mountain to catch the sunrise and explore the Norwich Farmers' Market, enjoying delicious treats and a beautiful morning!
First-Year what? Dartmouth makes good use of its surroundings! Follow me (into the woods) as I highlight my current favorite experience so far as a first-year student at Dartmouth!
