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!
From my brief experience at Dartmouth, what makes or breaks a class is the professor and—more importantly—their attitude toward teaching. The good thing about Dartmouth is that the chances are in your favor since professors are excited to teach and want to see their students succeed. In my case, PHYS 15 (Physics 15) was taught by Professor Miles Blencowe. I already wrote a blog post about him, but in a nutshell, he single-handedly managed to reawake my love for learning in the midst of a high-paced course load. We covered the basics of mechanics, general relativity, and quantum mechanics. The course has had weekly labs that aim to show the real-world applications of the theory we covered in class. My final rating for this class is 4.9 stars out of 5.
Math 13 offers a perfect balance between being challenging and manageable. The course has enough workload to keep you engaged and fill a solid part of your day, but not so much that you can’t find time for friends. While the assignments provide valuable practice, they may feel like busy work for those who need less repetition. For a faster-paced option, Math 11 might be a better fit. Math 13 gave me a solid foundation in the Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions, enabling me to take courses like Physics 16 and various Engineering classes. It also introduced me to the value of Teaching Assistants (TAs) at Dartmouth, who host 2-hour sessions where students can ask questions, review the material in-depth, and get the intuition for the way vector-valued calculus works.
Physics 16 was the hardest class I took in my first year at Dartmouth. It wasn't that the material was impossible, but for the first time, I had to confront the limits of my imagination. The course focused on electric and magnetic fields of charges and currents, and while I can usually solve problems if I can visualize them, this class threw me off. Concepts like the Poynting vector seemed simple at first, but when combined with changing currents and capacitors, I struggled to keep up; although Differential Equations (Math 23) isn't a prerequisite, I strongly recommend having a background in it. Every time a new equation appeared on the board, I had to jot it down to research later; many classmates with stronger math backgrounds had no problem, so don't be intimidated—just make sure you know the math. This class ultimately reshaped my D-plan. I decided to prioritize math courses, not just to get through the material but to gain a deeper, more fundamental understanding of the engineering concepts I'll encounter later. This course made me realize I want math to be second nature when I return to my engineering courses so I can truly grasp the principles behind the problems rather than just apply formulas.
SummerSlovakia, Alaska, and Bulgaria
The goal of my summer was to take a break—not just from my goals but from my everyday grind in general. For the past three years, I've been operating at full capacity, constantly pushing myself. In that time, I've had the chance to explore different parts of the world, learn fascinating things, conduct research, fall in love, and fall out of it. I've experienced so much that I never really stopped to reflect. As Ferris Bueller said in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." So, I slowed down. I went hiking in Bulgaria (see my blog post about it) and traveled to Alaska—because who could say no to Alaska? I also spent a lot of time with my family, something I realized many of my college friends rarely get to do. They're so active and busy that they miss out on moments at home; I'm starting to realize that strategy might not be the best approach. Spending time with my family and taking it slow, reading books, and reflecting was my first step toward figuring out my place in the world. It felt like a strange, almost conflicting experience. On one hand, this was a betrayal of the carefree child inside me who just wanted to live in the moment. But on the other, it was a step toward becoming a better friend, a more thoughtful person.
Picking a favorite class this term has been tough since I’ve genuinely enjoyed all of them. I’m taking Linear Algebra (Math 22), Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming (COSC 10), and Cinematography I: Lighting and Composition (Film 44.09). Since I’m taking an art class, it’s been a more relaxed term in the sense that I’m doing more than just math and computer science. If I had to choose, CS 10 would be my favorite. The class is challenging, but Professor Timothy J. Pierson makes the material fun, covering object-oriented programming along with data structures and abstract data types. On the other hand thanks to my film class, I get access to Dartmouth’s media equipment, including a Bolex H16 film camera and 200 feet of Kodak color film, with development costs covered—truly a dream for a student cinematographer.
This semester, I’m taking mostly STEM courses—CHEM 5 (General Chemistry), ENGS 22 (Systems), and MATH 23 (Differential Equations). With two labs, it’s a relatively intense term. If I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be MATH 23. MATH 23, in particular, stands out as one of the most useful classes I’ve taken. Over 10 weeks, we explore how relationships between variables affect outcomes and solve specific problems, offering a deeper understanding of how systems work rather than just how they are. Another reason I love this class is the professor, Robert Dougherty-Bliss. His energy and enthusiasm make the class not only engaging but genuinely enjoyable—I actually look forward to it!
It's hard to fully express just how meaningfulCabin and Trail (CnT) is to me. CnT is one of many sub-clubs within the greater Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC)—CnT focuses on hiking/backpacking, Ledyard Canoe Club on paddlesports, and countless others (which you can read about here). Since coming to Dartmouth a year and a half ago, the CnT community has shaped me in ways I never expected. Cabin and Trail provided me with a group of people and resources that would allow me to get outside, summit mountains, and explore. Joining the club, the idea that I could go on these adventures—with the gear, the cabins, and even the vans all available for free—was exhilarating to me. At first, my primary motivation was access to the outdoors, but something shifted as I kept going on CnT trips.
At some point, it became less about the hikes and more about the people I was experiencing them with. I started to think more about the communal aspect of the Dartmouth Outing Club and, in a broader sense, what it means to find a sense of belonging in college. We all attend college to learn, to expand our knowledge, and to set ourselves up for success in the future. Yet, another side exists to college that isn't written into any curriculum; it's about the connections we make along the way, the traditions we become part of, and the moments that shape us in ways we never anticipated.
In CnT, you can "ascend" (become a leader) by completing multiple skills sessions and co-leading hikes throughout the Upper Valley. With every hike I led while training to be a leader, I was meeting new people and learning how to create experiences for others rather than just myself. Slowly and without even noticing, I became less focused on the logistics of the trips and more on ensuring everyone was having a great time. It stopped being just about the mountains and became about the shared stories and legends. CnT was established in 1920 by Sherman Adams, and since then, countless stories of bravery and dedication have been passed down from one class to another.
After a year and a half, CnT has become a home to me, something I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. My time in CnT will undoubtedly become a memory I'll cherish as I grow older and a source of hope in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain. In college, you need to surround yourself with people who inspire you and remind you of the things worth fighting for.
That's what CnT has been for me. It isn't just about the hikes or the gear or the cabins; "It's about being part of something bigger than yourself. It's about the shared lore, the traditions passed down, the stories that will outlive all of "us. For decades, thousands of students have been a part of the CnT community, leaving their mark. And this blog post is not just about CnT—whether students are in the outing club, dance, acapella, improv, Greek That's, or debate—countless communities on Dartmouth's campus provide that special sense of belonging. They create these microcosms where you can find yourself for a little while and, in doing so, find yourself in the process.
Because, in the end, that's what really matters in college. Not just the things you learn in the classroom but the people you meet, the experiences you share, and the legacy you leave behind.
When I first came to Dartmouth, the last thing I wanted to experience was the infamous, chilling New England winter—but I've discovered that Dartmouth's climate was a blessing in disguise, and even perhaps my favorite thing about campus.
