Hey everyone! I'm Will, a '23 from Orange County, CA. Excited to share my perspective and my experiences here at Dartmouth over the past three years here from Spanish Drill Instructing to snowboarding classes to now my position as a Senior Fellow. I also hope to share my experience as first-gen queer student of color in hopes of inspiring all of you to continue to learn more about Dartmouth.
Academic Program
Computer Science modified with Human-Centered Design Minor: Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Hi everyone! My name is Will Perez :)) I'm a '23 from Orange County, California, studying Computer Science modified with Human-Centered Design. I work as a Senior Fellow in the Admissions Office, through which you can catch me giving a tour intro session, moderating a virtual student chat, or replying to your emails from Connect with a Student. The past three years have indeed been an experience: Navigating COVID-19 policies and restrictions has made me highly appreciative and reflective as I enter my final terms at Dartmouth — especially the unique location that is Hanover, New Hampshire.
There is something to do every season in Hanover. Being from southern California, I had never truly experienced all four seasons, let alone experienced many of the outdoor experiences that Dartmouth offers. For my First Year Trip, for example, I hiked seven miles to the top of the Dartmouth Skiway — something I had never done before. The hike pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Thankfully, I had amazing tripees — other students on your trip — and trip leaders — upper-level students leading the trip — to make the experience enjoyable.
That winter, I was fortunate to take a snowboarding class with friends. Taking the 15-minute bus ride to the Skiway every Thursday, only to not pass the final assessment to make it off the bunny hill. I hope to learn to ski this winter either through another Dartmouth PE class or more casually with friends. During my sophomore summer, I learned how to paddle board using the Ledyard rentals. With the Connecticut River just a five-minute walk down the road from the main campus, I sunbathed almost every day. Nothing can beat a sunny day in Hanover.
One of my favorite outdoor experiences has to be a crisp fall morning during peak foliage. Last week, I hiked Gile Mountain last week, a local trail with a fire tower overlooking the Vermont forest at the trail's peak, and watched the sunrise. While overlooking the beautiful orange, yellow, and red trees, I was at peace hearing only the pure autumn silence. I reached an overwhelming sense of calmness and bliss. I was reminded of Dartmouth students' privilege to have access to nature in its purest form. The moment reminded me of the importance of detaching from technology and rigorous academics to explore nature.
Dartmouth's unique location plays directly into the strong sense of community. While hiking Gile, I randomly ran into my sophomore-year roommate. At Dartmouth, we truly bond over spending four years in the wilderness. Many people share similar experiences, which provides a collective sense of unity. Although I came to Dartmouth as a city boy, I could not be more glad to call The Woods my home.
No matter your experience or budget, I'm sure you can make skiing a fun part of your winter Dartmouth experience if you would like. So how easy is it to ski at Dartmouth? I couldn't imagine it being easier!
