My name is Michal, but I often end up being called Michael. I am a '27 from Lozorno, a small town outside Bratislava (Slovak capital). I am an exUWCer. I am passionate about climate change and sustainability in general. I want to devote my life to making this world a little more sustainable. I am an incredibly curious person and I'll be exploring as much of Dartmouth as possible from hardcore research to different sports to American culture. Please enjoy my adventures and thoughts on Dartmouth!
One of the main themes throughout all of my blog posts is how amazed I am by the numerous resources available at Dartmouth; these resources might not seem as impressive to everyone, but I hope that someone out there from an underprivileged background, like me, resonates with the experience of feeling limited by resources
When I was young, I had a dream of exploring space and building rockets. However, due to my family's financial constraints, I had to build everything myself, from the rocket's computer to the rocket's engine. Constructing the rocket engine proved to be the most challenging, not because of the complexity of the chemical processes, but due to strict European regulations on strong oxidizing agents. In retrospect, this passion I developed for the sciences is what made Dartmouth an intriguing college choice for me.
Source: https://www.dartmouth.edu/ehs/
Fast forward eight years, I find myself sitting in a lecture hall for my "Introduction to Engineering" class, listening to safety rules about machines, chemicals, high voltage, magnets, and high-pressure vessels. While many students are not particularly fascinated by a lecture on safety rules, I was like a kid in a candy shop because the safety lecture meant that the building I was in had all of these elaborate resources available. Finally, thanks to Dartmouth, I didn't feel constrained by money.
Take, for example, the Maker Space, in which students have access to a laser cutter, 3D printers, an electronics station, a Multi-Axis CNC machine, various other wood crafting tools and clothes altering tools. With very little obstacles—a few training sessions—one can earn access to this 'maker space' from 6 AM to midnight. Additionally, all the materials are free of charge; in other words, it's engineers heaven. The only obstacle to this unique opportunity is strict safety regulations, which for example stop you from cutting fiberglass composites with the laser cutter; at least you can feel safe in the Maker Space!
Dartmouth is so special for this reason: it's a place of abundant resources with very little risk or cost. I have the freedom to explore my passions without any of the limitations I faced before; this environment allows passions to flourish because students have the time, resources, and security to take the necessary risks to explore in their desired academic fields. Dartmouth gives its students and alumni a remarkable education and the backing to one-day influence world affairs. It is our responsibility to use our privileges to create opportunities for others.
To leave you with a quote, "With great power comes great responsibility" (yes, it's Spider-Man's quote). As a Dartmouth student, students are given a great education and access to a plethora of resources. Students hold the responsibility to themselves to take full advantage of them and to use them for good in the world
As an international student, I was hesitant to join Greek Life, but I found a welcoming community. Now, as a junior, I hope to help others find their place too.
Coming back to Dartmouth for my senior year, I have been loving pursuing my major. However, what I love about the liberal arts education is that you can take classes for interest far beyond any classes in your major.
For those who want to attend medical school after their undergraduate education, the infrastructure of a "pre-med" track is an important factor when choosing a school to apply to. Here's how the premed experience has been for me at Dartmouth!
