Exchange to Dartmouth College Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It is typical to only take three classes a term since Dartmouth is on the trimester system, but the pace of the classes are much faster and it seemed as if once midterms/exams began then I had at least one every week until the end of the term. The workload is definitely manageable though and I was able to get used to the pace of the classes fairly quickly. The grading system is similar to that of Wellesley, and the teaching methods consist of using the board and power points, just as at Wellesley. The biggest difference in the academic environment/my educational experience at Dartmouth was that students are much, much less competitive and cut-throat, so learning is more relaxing in regards to being in class and working with other students.

On-site administration of your program

Support services were available if needed, but I didn't need/use them other than when I initially arrived. My experience with them was good though.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm I was housed in was very nice and was pretty new. I was in a two-room double both terms I was at Dartmouth, and didn't have any problems with the two different roommates I had. My roommate from winter term was also an exchange student (from UCSD, so she was only there one term), and then spring term my roommate was a matriculating Dartmouth student. The location of the dorm cluster was also fine, as it was at most 10 minute walk away from any class, dining center, the gym, other dorm buildings, fraternities, or from town.

As opposed to Wellesley where there are dining halls in different buildings, Dartmouth has one main building that is the dining center where most people eat the majority of their meals. There is a relatively good selection of food (grill, different hot meals, deli and sandwiches, salad bar, ice cream, lots of bottled drinks, kosher food, stir fry, etc.) that usually was at least decent and sometimes very good. There is also a food offered in the Hopkins center (called the Hop, and it's the arts building) cafe in the library that is open most of the day (24 hours during reading period and finals), a student center that has food for breakfast, throughout the day, and also late at night (until 1AM) on Sunday through Thursday, and Thayer is also open until 1:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. There is also a main street that extends from Dartmouth (similar to Wellesley's ville), that has pretty good variety (japanese, korean, american, coffee shop, bakery/diner, chinese, indian, ben and jerry's, mexican, boloco) of restaurants that we went to eat at on a pretty regular basis.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My social life at Dartmouth was the most wonderful part of my experience there, as it is entirely different than that at Wellesley. I had SO much fun all the time, and I felt that it was so easy to meet people and make friends (which probably is partly due to the fact that people are more relaxed there). There is a great sense of community, and seeing how much school spirit people have at sporting events, it was easy to get pulled into the culture and love Dartmouth as much as everybody else does.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Hanover is a little college town and I never once felt unsafe, even when walking home (sometimes alone) late at night from a friend's dorm or from parties. The health center is also very accessible.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Other
• Local Students

Select all that apply

• Americans