I'm Kalina, a '27 from Sofia, Bulgaria. I love books (I love reading and writing them), and I particularly love fantasy (i.e., I'm an expert on Middle Earth and Hogwarts studies). I'm equally fascinated by the human brain and storytelling, and I often think about the importance of stories when trying to understand the human mind. I also love hiking, bird-watching, climbing, and em dashes.
This is my first winter term at Dartmouth, and I have really enjoyed my term!
It's true that it gets cold in Hanover–today it was negative 12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it was also sunny and very pretty–a perfect day to take a walk to Pine Park. All you need to do to prepare for the cold New Hampshire weather is to dress warmly. The first week or two was an adjustment, when snowed and was negative twenty degrees (around zero Fahrenheit).
However, soon enough I loved the winter season. When it goes up to zero degrees Celsius (32 Fahrenheit), I realized that I can even walk around with your jacket unzipped! Beautiful initiatives like the Frost Lights (see header image) or the Winter Carnival can even make the cold exciting.
This term, TuckLAB was scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday for two weekends and then for several Sundays. Tuck professors taught us different concepts important to entrepreneurship; we learned about business analytics, marketing, social entrepreneurship, financing, and business strategy. We got to talk to Tuck and Dartmouth alumni, who gave us feedback on our startup ideas.
We also participated in a startup challenge–we formed teams, developed a startup idea and pitched our ideas to judges for "funding." Each round, entrepreneurs from across the Upper Valley were our judges. In the end, the team that wins will receive funding from the Magnuson Center and take its idea to the Dartmouth startup incubator.
My team had to discuss the future of our startup Porta Scope over dinner at Tuck (looks very fancy, doesn't it?)
Overall, I've really enjoyed the winter term and all it has to offer!
Welcome back to Open Doors—your inside look at life in the Woods! This week, Isabelle Sullivan '26, an environmental studies and geography major, showed me around her room, where we discussed Dartmouth residence halls, classes, and campus life.
There was never a single "aha!" moment of clarity when I knew that Dartmouth was right for me, yet now, it is impossible for me to imagine having chosen anywhere else.
Green Key weekend at Dartmouth was filled with concerts, free food, live music, reunions, and spontaneous moments with friends. Read on to hear why this weekend reminded me what makes spring term at Dartmouth feel so special.
