Tess Hunter

Dialogue and Differences

Even though I have only been at Dartmouth for a little more than a month, I have already felt the strong bond that unites all students. Much of this has come from our shared experiences at Dartmouth. From eating the same food at Class of 1953 Commons (our food court) to enjoying the same acapella performances to living in the same dorms, we have plenty of things in common. However, what I believe is so special is our differences—both in our experiences, as well as our thinking. Through this blog post, I would like to highlight the inclusive community that is Dartmouth and how we work together to consider and refine diverse perspectives.

The Arab Student Association at Dartmouth recently organized a vigil for Lebanon, held on the Green. Candles were passed out, speakers talked about their own experiences, and there was a moment of silence. Following the vigil, students and professors gathered together in a time of reflection and sharing.

The following week, Chabad, a Jewish organization, held a vigil for Israel, commemorating the October 7^th attacks. Students gathered again once again on the Green, in a collective moment of remembrance.

A project that is unique to Dartmouth is Dartmouth Dialogues, introduced this year by President Sian Beilock. This is organized by leaders from across campus, including the Dartmouth Political Union, Office of Pluralism and Leadership, and the Rockefeller Center. This project encourages respectful debate and authentic discussion. The first of the series was a dialogue on the Middle East, combining Jewish Studies and Middle Eastern Studies to engage students and faculty in discussions.

A course of interest to me is the "Politics of Israel and Palestine." It combines viewpoints and sees the conflict from the narratives of both sides. I hope to take this course at some point in my academic journey at Dartmouth.

All of these events and organizations show the extent to which Dartmouth students respect each other. Many students attended both vigils, showing how deeply we care about supporting our peers, and how Dartmouth encourages productive discussion. Even as a first-year student, not only within class but also outside of it, I have found that everyone is willing to engage in intellectual dialogue. This openness to different perspectives and the inclusive atmosphere creates a special collaborative environment.