Welcome!! My name is Serena and I'm a '28 from New York City. I couldn't be more excited to be here at Dartmouth and share my experiences with all of you! I know I want to explore English Literature alongside a STEM discipline. I love to run, play volleyball, hike, knit, and read books! If you want to hear about a city kid's adventures in rural New Hampshire, follow along as I experience life in the woods!
In this dynamic class, Visiting Professor Vera Kallenberg taught us a survey of Jewish history and culture from the European enlightenment to the establishment of the State of Israel while also sharing her wealth of knowledge with us! Our small, seminar-style class lent itself to profound conversations around the difficult topics that arose during our discussions. From the Haskalah to discourse around the modern-day Israel-Palestine conflict, our class approached these topics with respect and care for one another. We read historical texts and fascinating personal narratives for homework, and then wove our knowledge about the past and present together in class discussions. What an incredible course!
Winterim is our 6 week long Winter break. It starts at Thanksgiving and ends roughly after New Year's Day. Many students spend their break different ways, from internships, family vacations, working at home, spending time on campus, and more!
This might seem overwhelming, and that's ok! You might be wondering "what is there to do for six weeks?" Keep reading to find out about the countless possibilities in Winterim, and what my friends in particular did!
A beautiful rainbow in Tahoe!
Amelia and her friends from home (San Francisco)! Amelia is the second from the right.
Amelia Kwon:
Amelia went skiing with her family and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends in San Francisco.
Maytal and me at our Dartmouth Chabad Hannukah Party in NYC!
Maytal Meskin:
Maytal worked as an ophthalmic technician at a local eye doctor in Connecticut for part of break! When not hard at work, she visited family in Florida, went on vacation, and saw friends (Sharika and I!) and family.
Sharika Shithi:
Sharika hung out with some (objectively) super cool and funny Dartmouth friends (Maytal and I) in and around NYC. She also had fun learning how to ski with her family in Pennsylvania and going to local goat farms!
Taara Verma:
Fireworks on New Year's Eve!
Taara took a trip with her best friend and family for New Years. She also worked at her local Christmas market as an outdoor market vendor! Moreover, she kept up with her powerlifting routine for theclub she competes in at Dartmouth, and visited friends at college. (Our break is pretty cool. For the first few weeks of our break, most colleges still have class. This means we can go visit our friends at other colleges!)
Pictures from Ellenia's Break Trip in the Rio Grande!
Ellenia Paty:
Ellenia traveled to Tennessee to see family, hung out in DC, her hometown, for the holidays with family, and went skiing with her family in Utah. She also went on the DOC Ledyard Canoeing Break Trip in the Rio Grande!!! She also met up with many other first-years who live near her in DC.
Grace Winters:
Grace hung out with family and friends in her hometown, and worked at a local store. She found this blend of work and relaxation both productive and enjoyable. She also reunited with a first-year friend in Boston during the holidays!
I hope you enjoyed learning about what my friends decided to do during their first 6 week long break! To be clear, this is just a sample of what Dartmouth students get up to during Winterim, and is by no means how everyone spends their break. There are so many possibilities!
The sorority rush process is a flexible, three-round experience each fall and winter where potential new members gradually narrow down their choices and receive an invitation to join their matched sorority.
Exploring the Southern Part of Sri Lanka during our six weeks of winter break! A much-needed exposure to the sun and sand before I return for the Winter Term at Dartmouth.
As wintertime rolls around and applications begin to be read, applicants may be offered the opportunity to interview with a Dartmouth alumni. Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of the process!
Join me as we attend a Brovertones concert during Winterim! The Brovertones are just one of Dartmouth's many amazing acapella groups. I saw them perform during their East Coast tour.
Winterim well spent: from dog walks to nearly skiing in Norway (emphasis on nearly), I've collected my stamps and stories—ready to trade them for textbooks back at Dartmouth.
Starting college in a new country is a big leap, but with orientation programs, cultural connections, and helpful resources, Dartmouth quickly became more than just a campus—it became home.
