DOC Trips, part two

When I first strapped on the twenty pound backpack, I did not know what to expect. In fact, I was intimidated by the thought of spending three to four days with a group of people that I was not familiar with. But Jack and Frances quickly assuaged my fears.

J34 was an interesting amalgamation of people from around the United States. I was from Texas, there was someone from Maryland, California, South Carolina and even as far as Washington State. I took pleasure in the fact that we were a group of people very much unlike each other-- and in normal circumstances, I'm not sure we would have become as close friends as we did.

Along the trip (which was a hiking trip which covered twenty miles over the course of three days), we played a continuous game of contact. We cracked jokes and told stories, we loosened up.

On the first night of our trip we turned up at a cabin situated on the banks of a small lake. It was a single room cabin with a long table, multiple beds, an outdated stove, and an outhouse. The first day was spent swimming and canoeing, and of course, eating. Along with dinner (fajitas), we began to open up with each other, as we wrote down the answers to certain questions asked by Frances on a white blanket. What's your name? Where are you from? What's your favorite color? Your favorite food? How many siblings do you have? What's your favorite quote? As we sat by the light of our flashlights, we revealed small details about ourselves.

The following morning we were raided by members of the Vox Crew as they were dressed up strangely in onsies. They brought muffins and other delicious eatables and read to us "All the Places You'll Go", but alum, Theodor Geisel. Only at Dartmouth.

The purpose of our hike was to reach the summit of Mount Moosilauke. And although the 'Moderate' hiking trip proved to be more than just moderate, the trip was definitely worthwhile. On the following night we stayed at another cabin-- and late into the night we occupied ourselves by telling each other our scariest ghost stories. Huddled together for warmth, the tenseness in the room after we told our tales was almost hilarious in retrospect.

It was on the following day that we summited Mount Moosilauke. It was the most gorgeous sight that I ever witnessed. As the wind blew strongly, we all grouped around a rock, and had nutella, peanut butter and jam on tortillas for lunch. From then on, we hiked down the mountain, which was surprisingly refreshing, until we reached the eagerly anticipated Lodge.

It's All About the People

What striked me most as a student visiting Dartmouth last April were the people.

Wide-eyed and anxious about what the campus would be like, I was pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of the Dartmouth community.

Everywhere I turned I was greeted by a warm smile and an abundance of patience. (And trust me, I required a lot of guidance that day.)

I must have look like a prospie-- everyone on campus smiled as I walked by and I even received the ocassional "come to Dartmouth!" greeting. I remember being shocked. I remembered thinking-- this could be home.

As a student at Dartmouth now, I have come to realize that not everyone on campus is as bright and cheerful as they had once appeared, but that's only to be expected. During midterms and finals, for example, people become more serious. But know that the Dartmouth community is always available. Know that around the corner, across the street, across the Green, anywhere, there are people who are willing to help you. No matter how far away from home you are (take it from a girl who is 2000 miles away from her hometown), you are not alone. It's all about the people, and there's some comfort in that.

The Football Team

For those who are into football, you are probably aware that the Dartmouth College football team doesn't have the greatest track record. In fact, before this year, we had a losing season. But don't be fooled-- even with a losing football team, we Dartmouth students know how to have fun.

I distinctly remember first football game. My entire floor, dressed completely in Dartmouth gear, made the trip together down to the football field. You could distinguish between the upperclassmen and the freshmen-- we were all optimistically excited.

We were playing Colgate that day, and there was a sense of anticipation. As you might have guessed, we lost. But it was fun simply sitting with my floormates, boisterous in nature, as we cheered the team on.

We have our avid football fan, Adam, and his roommate, August. We have Amanda, the New Yorker, cheerful and bubbly with an infectious laugh. And of course, there's Emily, the surprisingly loud intellect. Together we embraced Dartmouth's losing tradition, and we will embrace it in the future. Hopefully not forever-- Dartmouth won two games this year against Columbia and Cornell. The future looks bright.

DOC Trips, part 1

When I first got admission into Dartmouth I was highly interested in finding out more about the Dartmouth Outdoor Club trips for the freshmen. I had heard many good things about them, but I did not expect to find what I did

I arrived on campus around September 11th, ready and geared to go hiking (Moderate Hiking). I expected to hike in a small group of people, along a relatively easily path. But no. The minute I stepped in front of Robinson Hall, I threw all my expectations behind me. I could have more incorrectly predicted what I was in for.

In front of Robo was a pack of brightly clad, dye-haired students, jumping up and down, and dancing (rather terribly) to tunes. Glancing around, I found it hard to resist giggles as I observed all the other '13s with looks of shock on their faces. It would only be a matter of days before even we accepted the trip leaders and Croo members as normal.

The '13s were moved into the Collis Commonground area, where we were taught dances to Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA" and the dance to Dartmouth's famous, "Saltydog Rag". This is where we lost our inhibitions and the class of '13s in section J first got to know each other.

The Saltydog itself, was perhaps the best part of the dancing initiation. With it's fast speed and mildly complicated steps, every giggled as they tried to figure out which way to turn and spin.

Over a lunch of hamburgers and cookies, my section, J34, got to introduce ourselves to each other. We were a motley crew, and that made for a bunch of laughs over the next couple of days.

My First Friends

I remember taking my first trip up to Dartmouth on the Dartmouth Coach early in September.

Wide-eyed and tired from a long journey, I sat in the Coach, silently, listening to Coldplay the entire way. I spent the journey looking out the window-- eating up the northeastern country side, so unfamiliar to me. The farther away we got from the bigger cities, the quieter, more relaxing it became. Nevertheless, I was nervous. I was nervous to start my new life at a new school in a new part of the country. I was 2000 miles away from my home, how could I not be scared?

After the two and a half hour trip from Boston to Hanover, the bus stopped in front of the Hanover Inn, and slowly and steadily, everyone began to disembark from the bus. You could tell who the freshmen were. We were all awkward, looking around for fellow freshmen to talk to, to share our common experience with. It was only a matter of time before Chris, the most boisterous of our small group, introduced himself.

"Are you a '13?" Laughing, I said yes. An instant friendship was formed.

Pretty soon there was a group of about twelve of us-- mostly from California, we were a diverse group of people. We decided to form a small group, and get our cards, our room keys, and lunch together.

Everyone, starving, decided that we should get lunch first. A huge schmob (that's a group of freshmen, for those who are uneducated on such matters), we walked through downtown to the local pizza joint, EBA's, Everything But Anchovies.

We were so awestruck; we were so excited to be experiencing college life!

For the next hour, I got to know some of the most interesting people that I had met thus far. I met someone who had started a French debate club in high school for the sake of it, and someone else who was interested in ultimate frisbee. It was amazing.

We have since dubbed ourselves the Pre-O group. We met every so often for reunions, where we can sit and talk about nothing for hours. For a freshman starting life in a place so far from home, friends are everything.

An Unexpected Turn

It is 1:22 AM and I am in my dorm hall eating a homemade oatmeal cookie made by my floor mate’s dad. Around me are my floor mates, chomping down a piece of EBA’s pepperoni pizza, grouching about the size of the pizza slice. Giggles ensue as everyone pokes fun at the girl who paid for the pizza. Haha…”Oh Rod.”

Call me crazy, but I think I’m in love. Two weeks after introducing myself to a bunch of similarly nervous freshmen, I think that I have found the place that I can call home.

I remember walking along the Green in April, wide-eyed and tired (after a long and rather uneventful trip from Austin, Texas), staring at the multitude of students who scurried around campus. At that moment you could say that Dartmouth caught me by surprise. I had heard that it was a small campus in the middle of nowhere, but I had not expected people to be so honest.

As I embarked on a campus tour, I was overwhelmed. Many thoughts ran endlessly through my head—each trying to convince me that Dartmouth may not be the right school for me.

To add to my confusion, I had a rather uninteresting experience during Discover Dartmouth. While my host was dripping with warmth, something didn’t quite click. We spent the entire night in her East Wheelock dorm talking about the positives and negatives of Dartmouth. And, the negatives won the night.

The conversation that ran through my head still rings clearly. “Oh my God, if this is where I end up. I’m going to be miserable.” To say the least, I was a bit apprehensive. And to make matters worse, so were my parents. And, my mother joked about the size of Hanover’s downtown.

If I have learnt anything from my experience, it is that appearances can be deceptive. Dartmouth may be small, our football team may be far from excellent, and we may be in the middle of nowhere, but never will you be miserable.

From the minute the Dartmouth Coach drops you off at the Hanover Inn, you are swept into an adventure—unlike one you have ever experienced.

Tie-dyed hair, choreographed dances, and obscenely dressed individuals introduce you to the Dartmouth family. Grouped with along with eight other unsuspecting freshmen, the DOC trips are an amazing experience. I don’t know what got me first—the choreography to “Party in the USA” or my trip leader, Francis. But regardless, I am forever changed.

Dartmouth may not be the school that one plans to attend. Looking back on the entire college application process, I can truthfully say that I hadn’t really considered Dartmouth very seriously. But I’m glad that Dartmouth considered me. I’m glad that this is where am now—surrounded by people who are very quickly becoming my friends. A place where every person welcomes and accepts others.

Right now, we’re in the midst of a philosophical discussion about America’s Next Top Model. Who would have thought that this is what a Ivy League freshman would be doing at 130 am on a Sunday morning?

It clearly wasn’t in my grand plan—but that’s perhaps what’s great about Dartmouth. What you see isn’t necessarily what you get. Dartmouth might be unexpected at first.

Learn to embrace the unexpected. Accept the fact that smaller might be better for you. Put your plan for Yale or Harvard or Princeton behind. In Dartmouth, you will find your inner self. Take it from me, the rather shy, reticent person. But at Dartmouth, I’m a different someone—bolder and louder.

So I ask you, nay, beg you to give Dartmouth a proper chance. I almost didn’t. Look twice at every person, tree, or building. Don’t rush to judgment because you may miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

Now if a freshman who has not even had her first day of class can tell you this with confidence, imagine what she’ll say in four years. Learn to take the unexpected turn.