Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm majoring in Engineering Sciences modified with Studio Art—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, biology, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the Triathlon and Cycling Teams. Outside of class, you'll probably catch me drinking coffee somewhere or out on my bike.
My name is Nathan Hammerschmitt Le Gal (Yes, it's quite a mouthful). I'm a half-French Massachusetts native raised just outside of Boston. I've grown up largely caught between American and French culture—an experience that has inspired me to fine-tune my sourdough bread baking skills.
Beyond attempting to continue my pursuit of bread-making here at Dartmouth, I plan to explore my interests through a combination of biology, engineering and anthropology while still dabbling in—almost—everything. I'm looking forward to broadening my knowledge in these areas through Dartmouth's liberal arts curriculum. In high school, I satisfied my curiosity through WAY too many google searches, Youtube videos, and podcasts, so I'm enthralled by the manner in which Dartmouth fosters academic discovery. We have what are called class distributives, which means the curriculum has built-in space for you to refine your interests!
Extracurricular-wise, I've been spending my first term trying out the Triathlon team, getting to know about entrepreneurship opportunities from the Magnuson Center, and exposing myself to international relations programs from the Dickey Center. I'm also excited to get involved with the Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC), which offers nearly all forms of self-propelled transportation through outdoor trips! Fall term I can hike, Winter term I can ski, Spring term I can paddle, and Summer term I can do anything! By the way, Dartmouth is on a unique quarter system called the D-plan—that's why there's four seasonal quarters.
No matter what I do, though, this blog is an unedited version of my Dartmouth experience. It's about the people, places, and pines as I see them. Please join me as I document what life in the Upper Valley, Hanover, and (of course) the Dartmouth community is like. I'll bring you along for tea in Sanborn library and show you the best study nooks for winter reading. I hope reflecting on my college journey and my college search, will provide you with an inside look at life in the near future.
From surfing in Puerto Rico to backpacking in Joshua Tree to Norway: Break trips are a unique Dartmouth experience, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Gabe Brigham '26, a psychology and sociology double major, showed me around his dorm room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
On the final segment of The Stretch, we explored other planets, walked atop volcanoes, and went to the very bottom of the Grand Canyon (and back). Read about it here.
