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How has rowing helped you get a place
at Dartmouth and how is it a benefit
to be on the ‘crew’ programme?
Being part of a team is having another family
to rely on. Much like at Teddies, I spend most
of my time with or around members of my
team, eating, training, or chilling out. I would
say having done this for almost six years now,
rowing is one of the most essential parts of
my identity. Being part of the program here
allows me to express who I am. It also gave
me something in common with over one
hundred other people in various years on the
first day.
Are there many other ‘Brits’ at
Dartmouth? Are you hanging on to
your accent and how does it affect
your social life?
There are a couple of British people here,
though I must admit to purposely avoiding
trying to make friends with other British
people solely because they are British. My
accent is just as strong, and if possible, my
sarcasm is even better! This is a source of
particular enjoyment as many of my new
friends were unversed in this form of wit
before they met me. I have, of course, taken
steps to fill in the large gaps in their education.
Being British completely sets you out from the
crowd - it is an even more powerful label than
being a rower.
How might your life be different if
you weren’t rowing?
I don’t think I would enjoy my life as much.
I would have no team and it is very unlikely I
would stay in shape.
You rowed in two finals forTeddies,
when might we next see you race
at Henley?
By decree of Coach Allen, the Dartmouth
Heavies will not race at Henley unless we
come in the top four at the Intercollegiate
Rowing Association Regatta. While this
might not seem so hard there are several
universities in the US with truly excellent
programs. Dartmouth had been doing
poorly for a period of almost ten years
prior to the arrival of Coach Allen. He is an
Olympic bronze and gold medalist as well
as winner of the Diamond Sculls and I have
no doubt that he will change the face of this
program within my time here.
What advice would you give to those
considering a move toAmerica to
study – who gave the best advice?
The only way that you will get a feel for the
university is if you go and visit it. I visited
Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown. I
knew instantly I would hate Harvard and
Brown, Yale seemed like fun, and then I
got to Dartmouth. I am a very outdoorsy
person and being able to ski, camp, and
kayak every weekend played a huge role in
my decision to come here. The best advice
is visit before you apply.
Any final wise words of wisdom to
our next set of leavers?
It is seriously amazing over here, although
the complete incapacity to make drinkable
tea is unnerving. Yet despite all their
peculiarities, Americans are likable people,
and this is hands down the most enjoyable
period of my life to date. I am working
harder now then I have ever done before,
both in and out of the classroom, on and off
the water. This is my adventure, and I don’t
expect it to be easy, nor do I know where it
will take me or what I will do along the way.
Really what I’m trying to say is if you get
an opportunity like I did, go for it, because
you’ll never get it again.
M A R T Y R S
Dartmouth Crew, bottom left: Albert Mitchell