Michal Demeter Tvrdoň
You are here
Week 7 of a Dartmouth Term: How I Ended Up Learning about the Television Around the World
As I approached week seven of the 10-week term at Dartmouth, it was time to start thinking about which classes to enroll in next. This is always a challenge for me because I'm interested in nearly every class Dartmouth College offers. As an electrical engineering major, I'm on a pretty strict schedule with the classes I need to take, which adds to the complexity.
Despite the stress, I find this moment exciting as it challenges me to balance my current deep engagement with the necessity to plan ahead. At Dartmouth, I've developed a strategy of alternating between two heavy STEM terms and one less STEM-intensive term. This approach allows me to explore areas outside my comfort zone and find new avenues for growth.
Last fall, the stars aligned for an easier term, and I decided to take a class slightly outside my usual scope: "Television Without Borders," a semi-production class. I wasn't entirely sure why I chose it, but after emailing Professor Iyabo, I received a quick response—something typical of Dartmouth professors and their dedication to students.
The class opened my eyes to a world beyond right answers and rigid structures. Unlike my physics and math classes, where precision and correctness are key, the film class encouraged me to explore my voice and delve into topics that mattered to me. Here, curiosity was rewarded with more information and encouragement, transforming my understanding of what learning could be.

I enjoyed the class so much that I decided to create a video, even though it wasn't a requirement. This experience inspired me to take another cinematography class in the fall, showcasing how Dartmouth's educational resources foster creativity and personal exploration.
In the end, what makes Dartmouth so special to me is not just the quality education in my major but the opportunity for personal growth and exploration. As N.H. Kleinbaum wrote in *Dead Poets Society*, "We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." Dartmouth cultivates the parts of you that make life worth living.
For those interested what you will be able to do after one film class you should check out the video I made linked here.
Posts You Might Like
Exam at 8am, presentation on zoom, and paper due by noon!
Reach on to learn more about my experience pursuing engineering at Dartmouth!
Lab meetings are where I first saw as an undergraduate (UG) research assistant the magic of science unfold.
I can't wait to share these three crucial lessons and pieces of advice with you! (make sure you read part 1)
I sat down with Aarushi Jain '25, a coxswain on the women's rowing team, to learn more about the opportunities to study abroad as an athlete at Dartmouth!
Once you are here, Dartmouth ensures that you have the tools you need to thrive, regardless of where you start. Read on to discover some of Dartmouth's lesser-known resources!
As you decide whether Dartmouth is the place for you, here's a list of things to not expect here.
Every year, each of the acapella groups go on a tour together, travelling and singing together! This year, the Rockapellas went to Hawaii!
How was my first week of my first ever spring term? Read more to find out!