Hi! I'm Lauren, a '26 studying biological anthropology and classics! Originally from Water Mill, NY, I grew up spending every free moment swimming in the ocean. Going to college in NH was a shift away from that; however, I frequent the CT River during the warm seasons! Outside of academics, I am a senior fellow and tour guide for admissions and am involved in paleoanthropology research, Global Health Fellows, Kesem, and First-Year Trips. I can't wait to share my Dartmouth experience with you!
Academic Program
Anthropology major concentrated in Biological Anthropology, Classical Studies minor
Latin 1 is the first of three introductory Latin courses at Dartmouth. The class is split into small teams; students complete coursework as groups. I cannot recommend taking Latin enough: the classes are tiny, the professors are fantastic, and some even bring their dogs to class (check out my blog about Dartmouth's Latin dogs). I finished the introductory Latin sequence, fulfilling my language requirement. Now, I am continuing to work in the department as a Learning fellow—a student who has already taken the class and attends class to facilitate group work.
After taking Latin 1 in my first term, when it came time to pick my writing seminar (the second required portion of the first-year writing sequence), I naturally chose the course themed on the Greco-Roman world. This course was incredible and was seminar-style, so we discussed readings, went to the Hood Museum of Art, and presented on a feature of art in Pompeii that we found particularly interesting.
My first anthropology course! This archaeology course introduced me to the field of anthropology and archaeology at Dartmouth. This course was lecture-style, with different lectures on everything, including the evolution of religious thought, human sacrifice, and Stonehenge! The professor was incredibly engaging, and we even got to pick lecture topics during the end of the term.
SummerWater Mill, NY
I spent my summer at home, working on my family's vegetable farm. I also started working as an Admissions Communications Intern for the Admissions Office!
Anth006 was my first biological anthropology course! This course was incredible; this introduction course delves into the concentrations within anthropology and everything from the first life on earth to applied anthropology today! We also often had guest lecturers, from visiting professors to graduate students, who would speak about their concentration and research.
Fossils, fossils, fossils! Our professor is a renowned paleoanthropologist, so the course focuses on fossil traces of human ancestors and relatives. Human Evolution is a lecture-style course, but every Friday, we go to the paleoanthropology lab to handle casts of fossils—which we were introduced to during lectures. These fossils are also our primary form of assessment, as we were assessed on the fossils in culminating lab practicals. It is incredible not only to learn about the discoveries that shape our understanding of human evolution but also to engage directly with replicas of them.
Anth017 course focused on individuals' experiences of illness. Our professor was a medical and psychological anthropologist, so it was interesting to hear about the intersections of her research and our course's themes. Throughout the term, we discussed various topics like illness behavior, the culture of biomedicine, and structural violence. We had daily readings and three full-length texts—which we read throughout the term. Our final project was a gateway to delve deeper into the course's themes. This opportunity was particularly enriching as it allowed me to integrate my URAD research into the course seamlessly. This personal connection made the final project a truly enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
"The Sixties" was an incredible Humanities department course taught by a Religion professor. Each week, we broke down a year of the “long sixties”—starting with JFK’s assassination in 1963 and ending with Nixon’s resignation in 1974. We learned both about the history and the culture of the decade. My favorite part about this course was the emphasis on the music of the "long sixties." We listened to the top 30 songs for each year of the "long sixties," and now I have a fantastic playlist from all of the songs I have discovered due to this class (some Don McLean, Simon & Garfunkel, The Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, The Supremes, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, and so many others)!
FallHanover, NH
Off-term doing paleoanthropology research and working for the Classics Department in Hanover—all while living on an alpaca farm (I have a blog post called "So, You Live on an Alpaca Farm?" if you're curious)...
WinterAotearoa: New Zealand Anthropology Foreign Study Program
The seminar on my Anthropology Foreign Study Program was my favorite class from my abroad. Dartmouth Professor Zaneta Thayer taught this class throughout our ten weeks in New Zealand. The course’s discussions centered on the system of settler colonialism and its ongoing mechanisms. We discussed the role of museums/statues in framing history, the documents that stole Māori land, and how the concept of race was invented as a means of colonial subjugation. We also discussed the concepts of Kaupapa Maori, decolonization, biculturalism, and the role of revisionist settler histories. What made this course incredibly meaningful was that we did not learn all of this in a classroom; we went out and learned from Māori scholars and activists. A significant component of this course was the role settlers play in shaping history; accordingly, a large portion of the course involved learning directly from Māori iwi and hapū. The course included three excursions: one to the Piritahi Marae on Waiheke Island, another to the central North Island (Rotorua, Taupo, and Waitomo), and the last to the Bay of Islands (Paihia, Russell, and Karetu). Not only were these trips filled with hikes, beach days, and cohort dinners, but they were also marked by meaningful learning and discussions.
Anth40 (Human Functional Anatomy) might take the title of my favorite class ever, narrowly surpassing Anth41 (Human Evolution) from my sophomore winter. This course literally dissected the anatomy of humans in relation to our primate relatives and ancestors. The course was divided into three units: upper limb, lower limb, sensory systems and soft tissue anatomy. For the first and second units, we considered all the essential muscles and bony landmarks of the human limbs, connecting them to their significance in bipedal locomotion. We then analyzed primate bone models to understand the functional significance of anatomical differences between modern humans and their brachiating, knuckle-walking, quadrumanous, and quadrupedal relatives. It was fascinating to then analyze the fossil casts’ anatomical features, as they often showed intermediate features between the great apes and humans. The final unit of the course dissected human soft tissue anatomy and sensory systems in depth. Perhaps the most interesting component of this course was the trip to the Body Donor Lab in the Geisel School of Medicine. After learning about the musculoskeletal components of the limbs in lecture, we were able to dissect the muscles we had studied.
SummerHanover, NH
Started working full-time as a Senior Fellow for the Admissions Office!
Here is my list, brief breakdown, and recommendations for each of the restaurants in Hanover within walking distance of Dartmouth. Whether you're touring campus for the first time or are a Dartmouth student in need of a new place to eat, feel free to reference this list!
If you go to one restaurant on this list, let it be Lou's! It is a quaint diner-style restaurant offering breakfast all day and lunch until 3. You can't miss its green and white awning right on Main St. Students and alums love Lou's so much that there is a so-called tradition to stay up all night and be at Lou's when they open in the morning—known as the "Lou's challenge." Lou's is also a bakery, meaning any celebratory pastries and cakes you may need can be purchased here—highly recommend their crullers and strawberry vanilla cake. My go-tos/personal favorites at Lou's are the orange and cranberry muffin, the "Little Green", the pesto scramble, and the buttermilk pancake. Be sure to be there early if you want to get a table! 10/10
Molly's has the BEST bread—each lunch/dinner starts with a basket of fresh-from-the-oven bread and honey butter to dip it in. After the phenomenal starter, you have the option to choose from a pretty extensive menu of bowls, burgers, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and more! I consistently gravitate towards their truffle fries, nachos, and Caesar salad with chicken (they have delicious, giant croutons). They have both sit-down and mobile ordering options—it's hard to find a week where I don't end up getting Molly's in some capacity. 9/10
Pine is the elegant restaurant connected to the Hanover Inn. This is the restaurant where students can redeem their "take your professor to pine voucher." I've taken advantage of this fantastic offering several times, for a more sophisticated meal with friends, or when family is visiting. For lunch, I recommend the "Baby Greens" salad or the "Day in Milan" sandwich (fried chicken breast, mozzarella, arugula, tomato, prosciutto, parmesan, and pesto aioli on focaccia). For dinner, the menu is constantly changing with seasonal options and chef's choice, but I consistently go for the "Hanover Inn Burger" followed by the "Break for Moose" (double chocolate mousse and an adorable moose shortbread). 10/10
Tacos y Tequila is our sit-down Mexican-style restaurant. I have been here a few times for friends' birthdays or spontaneous dinners. Their chips and salsa are delicious as a starter. I always elect to get the nachos as my meal… once I find something I like, I stick with it. 5/10
Tuk Tuk Thai5 South Main Street, Hanover, NH 03755
Tuk Tuk is a Thai restaurant in Hanover. I have only been there a handful of times to sit and eat; however, friends and I routinely order their pad thai, pad see ew, or noodles to go. Dartmouth club events are often catered by Tuk-Tuk, so it will be challenging to find a Dartmouth student who has never had Tuk-Tuk. 8/10
Jewel serves traditional North Indian food. They have a casual sit-down, mobile order set up, which I appreciate. Their garlic naan and chicken tikka masala are divine. Similarly to Tuk Tuk, Jewel is a common caterer of club events. 7/10
Murphy's is a dark tavern-style restaurant on Main Street. It is a casual dinner place. They have phenomenal brussel sprouts, burgers, and mac 'n cheese! 6/10
Han Fusion is a student favorite. It is our Asian-fusion-style restaurant. There are always plenty of Dartmouth students eating family-style meals at Han. 9/10
Boloco is our version of Chipotle/Moe's in Hanover. At Boloco, you can get a burrito or burrito bowl that is made to order. I have found Dartmouth students very divided on Boloco; however, I appreciate a good Boloco run. Their chicken is delicious, and I will never turn down a burrito bowl from there. I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick meal or in need of a burrito. 7/10
Ump's is a quaint bakery and cafe nestled in Hanover. They make amazing breakfast sandwiches and always dazzle with their pastries. I always get the "Bertie Wooster" sandwich (turkey, bacon, apple, lettuce, cheddar, and mayo). 8/10
Still North (referred to as "snorth" by students) has become a go-to coffee place for me. It is a cafe, bar, and bookstore, meaning that as your coffee gets prepared, you can walk around a beautiful bookstore. The only downfall is the lack of seating, as you need to be there early if you want to sit and eat your food—as working students often occupy their seats for extended periods of time. I am obsessed with the Harvest Arugula salad and their "choffee" (chocolate milk + coffee). 10/10
Disclaimer: They have the most random hours. I spent three years at Dartmouth never successfully visiting Dirt when it was open. However, since finding the window when they are open, I have decided their coffee is worth seeking out. I get a mocha latte and a blueberry muffin occasionally. They also have a resident dog named Kapooch. 8/10
The Works is a new chain restaurant that has made its way to Hanover. They offer a robust menu of breakfast foods and sandwiches. They also offer mobile pickup, which is a huge benefit when on the run, especially considering how long their line can take. Thanks to The Works, we finally have a bagel place in Hanover! I always get an iced mocha latte and an everything bagel with scallion cream cheese! 7/10
Restaurants I haven't been to yet in Hanover:
NOTE: Despite my nearly three-year tenure in Hanover, there are a few restaurants I have missed. This is practically the honorable mention category.
Dartmouth is no stranger to a variety of student-run full-year performance groups in dance, a cappella, improv, and comedy. Sophomore summer is particularly special, as most of these groups allow sophomores to audition and join just for the summer.
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how I joined a sorority earlier this fall by going through the recruitment process. I've come a long way since then. In fact, I am living in my sorority house for my sophomore summer!
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
