Olá! I'm Luana from Brasília, the capital of Brazil. A couple of years ago I was, just like you, looking through this blog hoping to get to know Dartmouth. But now, I get to tell you why I love being a Dartmouth student! From the academic opportunities to the community, I'll show you how grateful I am to have chosen the College on the Hill. So, consider this an invitation to accompany me as this blog becomes your looking glass into life in Hanover.
Don't frame your college dreams! Frames are placed on paintings to make them immutable—behind a glass wall where they should never be changed. Don't do that to your dreams.
Coming from a big city, during my college search, I was fixated on keeping my urban way of life—going to a city populated by millions and with tall buildings you can barely see the top of. I couldn't imagine being happy in a place different from what I was already familiar with, and I framed my college dreams that way.
Spoiler alert: life had other plans for me. I chose a school so different from the urban setting I envisioned that it's known as "The Woods." Between hikes, bonfires, gorgeous scenarios, and lifelong friendships, I found my sense of belonging. Surprisingly, I am now here, in the middle of "The Woods," and I couldn't be happier.
It's scary to think I almost missed out on all of that. Dartmouth's supposed rural setting scared me away. But, due to a counselor's advice, I reluctantly took a second look. This time, leaving room in my search for more than the population number, I learned about this very supportive community and its strong school spirit. I was amazed by the campus's beauty, shocked at the academic opportunities, and impressed by the students' way of life. Suddenly, there I was, head over heels, waiting for Dartmouth.
So, here is my advice to you as you walk through this college search season: know your preferences, but leave a little room to be surprised. Your true happiness might not be in that dream you framed.
Who knew a big-city girl would ever call "The Woods" her home? Maybe you will too.
With all the amazing dining options Dartmouth has to offer, rest assured you will not go hungry on this campus! In this blog post, I will be discussing one of my favorite dining locations, Collis Café, with you.
Three years ago today, I received an email that would shape my entire Dartmouth experience in a way I never could have predicted. It's funny to think that it all started because I was a prospective student obsessively reading this very blog.
The River Cluster (the group of residence halls closest to the Connecticut River, including French and Judge Hall) has a reputation…and some of it is warranted. But there's more to living in the River than you might expect!
