VoxClamantis

Life Abroad

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 19:47:00 +0000

The past two weeks have been amazing. Its crazy how close the people on your LSA become your family. I just returned back from an awesome two week vacation in Madrid, Toledo, and one of the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura). The vacation was needed, it doesn't hit you how overwhelming being in a foreign country is until you actually arrive. Its more overwhelming when your not fluent in the language everyone speaks...especially in Barcelona when the metro stops, street signs, even the menu in the local pizza shop is in Catalan (totally different than Spanish..trust me). So taking a trip to the islands with my friends and basking in 70 degree weather in February was MORE than amazing and an experience few can compare to. I admit being off the coast of Africa and seeing the volcanic rocks, camels on the beaches (YES CAMELS), and British Elvis impersonators were a little intimidating..especially when I expected something more "Miami-ish". Nevertheless I had a GREAT time and I'm so much closer to my friends and my fellow family on the LSA. Cant wait for more memories...

Stay Warm in the States :)

Viva España!!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:30:00 +0000

photo creds to Elizabeth Evans <-- shes amazing
One of the main reasons I attended Dartmouth was so I could see the world...and now I am. Even though I'm an engineering major I have the time to go abroad and study spanish in SPAIN. So far I've been here for three weeks and I must say...I am in love. I think I'm even more in love because it is 55 degrees, beautiful, sunny and absolutely wonderful. I speak to my friends at Dartmouth often because due to the D plan most of my friends are on campus without me. The winter in Hanover so far has been horrible. Sometimes I wish I could be at Dartmouth to experience how "Feels Like : -41" actually feels like. However being nearly 80 degrees higher than that temperature doesn't bother me at all. Culture, History, love, food, siestas, CAVA...I love spain and I love dartmouth even more for allowing me to be in spain. Stories to come :)

Go Big Green!!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:54:00 +0000

My classes this term are pretty intense. Blame that on my awesome advisor that recognizes my potential in engineering. Too bad he cant take these classes with me and motivate me during my midterms next week! This term has started out great so far, meeting so many new 14s and seeing my friends from last year is refreshing. Even though, the off terms are going to split all of my friends up this year Im still having so much fun while we're still together. What's even crazier is I wont see my roommates after this term until the summer! Well to some happier news the Dartmouth football team won their games against Bucknell and Sacred Heart GO BIG GREEN!!!

Welp, on to my Physics problem set :(

Come to Dartmouth!

P.S. Happy Birthday To My Roommate ANNA

Just Call me Sophomore

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 01:40:00 +0000

This Year was AMAZING. I admit the year had its ups and downs, but looking back its great to see how much I have learned, grown, and changed. Its weird how much college changes you and how being an independent young person is so much cooler than you think. I have SO many new friends SO many (new) best friends and soooo many people to visit this summer. Everywhere I go and every country I visit whether it is Ethiopia or Thailand I have a friend. Dartmouth has definitely changed me for the better. This summer I'm working really hard to gain tons of spending money for my Barcelona Foreign Study Program (FSP) in the winter. So working, relaxing and helping my parents around the house is how I plan to spend my awesome summer home. I cant wait to go back in the fall :)

Go Big Green♥

P.S. Happy Father's Day!

Recently!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:26:00 +0000

I have been SO swamped with work, I just finished the first round of midterms and i'm so glad they're over! But a lot of things have happened since I last posted. First I was accepted to both of the Spanish LSAs I applied to ( Spain and Mexico) and so I plan to Study Abroad to Barcelona next winter (with my awesome roommate)! Secondly, Dimensions is this week!!! Unfortunately, last year I was unable to attend Dimensions because I wasn't totally sure about Dartmouth and had a ton of college visits Dimensions weekend. Even though I decided on Dartmouth (because its awesome), to this day I wish I went. Missing Dimensions isn't a big deal, but its a GREAT way to see the real Dartmouth. There is a quirky, fun, and crazy side of Dartmouth that even the website or my blog cant show you. I'm so excited to meet new 14s! Seeing a couple of fresh new faces on campus is going to be fun. For all of those who are nervous..don't worry! Tons of Students and Faculty are here for YOU, and to help you get to know the school we love :). Lastly, I am in Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, look out for me Dimensions weekend when we sing for you guys!

Sidenote* this picture was taken in the Hopkins Center Drawing Studio :)

Spring Break!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:36:00 +0000

Spring Break has been amazing so far. Being in the quarter system means I have a longer break than the rest of my friends. In some ways the long break is good but in other times like now when all my friends are going back to school its not as fun. However, I have TONS of friends from Dartmouth that live in my area (if you can go to the Dartmouth meet ups for your area its a great way to meet new people) so going out and having fun isnt a problem. I also just found out that im going on the LSA to Cholula, Mexico next spring!! I am SO excited, my roommate is going to Italy the same term shes even more excited than me!:) The best thing about being home is all I have to do is walk downstairs in my home to get food, not hike all the way to foco! I miss my roommates/floormates though they're amazing. Well thats it, back to looking for Internships for this summer (wish me luck!). If you are watching the March Madness root for Ivy Leagues own Cornell!!

LSA!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:36:00 +0000

I'm looking forward to this spring break especially because I get my response back from Off Campus Programs saying if I get to go to Mexico or Spain NEXT year. My friends back home are insanely jealous about the amount of study abroad opportunities available at Dartmouth. Truthfully the main reason I chose to attend Dartmouth is because of the study abroad opportunities the D plan unique from any other schools scheduling system makes it extremely easy to study abroad and receive the distributive you need. Over 50% of the student body studies abroad and if that doesn't mean anything to you click the link :)
Here is a first hand account from a Dartmouth'10 in Spain.
Here is another example of a Dartmouth'10 speaking with her homestay family.

Dartmouth Idol!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:45:00 +0000

I'm sitting in the Practice Room with the Alto Ones in The Dartmouth Gospel Choir. If you dont know by now the Gospel Choir is AMAZING. Two years ago the Gospel Choir conductor Walt Cunningham started Dartmouth Idol as a great singing competition. So now in the Gospel Choir I get to sing backup for the awesome contestants in the Idol competition. So here I am waiting for my cue to go on. This is going to be awesome :)

This Weather?!

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Have you seen "The Day After Tomorrow"? The Science Fiction film about Dennis Quaid trying to save the world from global warming? Well I have, and the similarities between the movie and the natural disasters occurring in the world today is, well...creepy. Every week my mom calls and the asks "Honey hows the weather?". Surprisingly the -28 degrees the NorthFace Store guy in town predicted (while I was buying my jacket) was not correct. Unlike Maryland/Washington DC we didn't have a snow storm in good 'ol supposed to be freezing New Hampshire. Actually I haven't seen the ground covered in snow for longer than two days in about two weeks. My parents went crazy buying wool socks, boots, cute little scarf and hat sets for the Negative degree weather of Hanover. However two of my classmates arrived to class in shorts yesterday. So would I tell someone to worry about the weather at Dartmouth...not at all. I admit it does get cold but trust me the weather is not a problem, having no snow in New England while your friends in Texas have a snow day...Is indeed the problem lol :).

Haiti Relief

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:02:00 +0000

Being in the gospel choir definitely has its perks. Recently we performed at the Compas Haiti Relief Mega Show. It was amazing! To sing for a great cause, raise awareness, and to raise money to donate for Haiti relief. Dartmouth is doing a great job raising awareness. There's even a student run organization "Students at Dartmouth for Haiti Relief" that raises money and want to help with the devastation. I recently donated money off of my dash to the Dartmouth-Partners in Health fundraisers, I cant wait to hear more about out relief efforts in Haiti.
Youtube video of the show : link

MLK Day:)

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:52:00 +0000

I enjoyed this weekend immensely. One of the few long weekends of the year and it felt like summer break! Dartmouth had plenty of events(that are still going on) to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Singing with the Gospel Choir at Rollins Chapel was AMAZING. Being able to celebrate a man who was a human rights icon was a wonderful experience. All the fun has come to and end now. Even though classes just recently began, I am currently studying for two midterms next week. I am sooo worried about these midterms because we have been moving fast in all three of my classes. However between PRofessors office hours, tutorial sessions, and study groups provided by the academic skills center, I have no choice but to do well on the tests. WELL...back to studying :)

bored

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Getting used to this d-plan is going to take a while. Finals are over yay! However, i'm home chilling now and none of my friends have even began to take finals. So for two weeks I am at home with my family....bored. It's cool being home and finished with the semester so early I just need something to so. The break isn't long enough to find a job soooooo....sleeping is the main thing currently. Luckily I have the dartmouth crew from dc to keep me company. They club of washington is throwing us a holiday party...yesssss. Anywho, I now think I am officially a New Englander now lol. The weather at home is like paradise to the 8 or so inches of snow thats already fallen in good 'ol Hanover. I'm not even wearing a jacket at home...people think i've gone crazy.

Random fact: I really miss the froyo at foco..♥

thanks:)

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:19:00 +0000

First term is almost over...that.is.crazy. Less than three months ago I was leaving my crying mother to go and receive my first taste of "independence" and now I'm sitting at an airport going home for the holidays. My view of Dartmouth has remained unchanged the more in depth my classes became. My professors are AMAZING. My Chem teacher rapped 50cent the first day of classes. That when I truly knew I was at the right school. I know that Dartmouth is known for not being competitive and I think that’s what I needed in college. My classmates aren't worried about what my grade will do to the class curve. I ALWAYS receive help, my professors, TA's, or a random person I’m sitting beside are always willing to help. Dartmouth gives you the chance to LEARN. Like legit learn instead of learn how to stay ahead grade wise of your classmates. Choosing classes this term wasn’t really that hard. My Advisor is amazing (shout out to Professor Doug VanCitters!). He helped me plan my classes, gave me tips to help with studying, and checks up on me often to make sure is going on. I’m telling you Dartmouth earned my trust and love. ANYWAYS...I’m currently sitting in an airport after catching a 3am (!) bus from the green to manchester airport. One thing I do know is that transportation between Dartmouth and \airports isn’t that easy. Shortest airport=Manchester 1.5 hours away=(...the bus ride is indeed longer than my trip home.

Happy Thanksgiving:)

first impressions

noreply@blogger.com (Maya D) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:07:00 +0000

In 1769 a dude named Eleazar Wheelock founded a school for me. A school that supports my beliefs, one that helps me become the individual I need to be. When I came to visit Dartmouth for the first time my mother and I looked at each other and said in unison "These people are crazy!" We visited tons of schools, big, small, city, technical, liberal arts, etc. However, the people at Dartmouth were...weird. Everywhere we looked there was a person with "Big Green" paraphernalia on. The tour around the campus was even more….”weird”. Students hung out windows, smiled, stopped eating lunch, and basically stopped what they were doing to yell "Come to Dartmouth!" I don’t know about you but that’s not the Ivy League experience I envisioned. I never thought Dartmouth would be the place where my weirdness would be considered cool, that singing “Party in the USA” in a frat basement would be normal. As far as transition to Dartmouth, I am allowed every opportunity available to prosper and do well. Do I love my school heck yes. Do I consider myself as one of those paraphernalia wearing weirdo’s heck yes. Do I plan to drop everything and hang out of windows and yell "Come to Dartmouth!" to unsuspecting 14's heck yes. Because I found myself at this college and wish everyone could have this same experience. I am proud and overjoyed that Dartmouth has allowed me to be part of their family.=)