#iamExeter: Valmik ‘29
What it’s like to be an Exeter student, from Exeter students.
Who better to talk about life at the Academy than the experts!? In a series of interviews with students, we asked questions prospective families might have as their student considers applying. Valmik Dangayach ‘29 is an international student who has dived head first into everything Exeter has to offer. From joining clubs to adapting to Harkness, Valmik has found his place in the hustle and bustle of life at Exeter.
What is your name, year, and affiliated dorm?
My name is Valmik Dangayach, and I am a prep in Webster Hall
You were a new student not that long ago. What advice would you give a new student?
Be your authentic self, and I truly mean this. As an international student, I was initially afraid that I would have to give up my culture or tone down my personality to fit what I thought was the “conventional” student here in the United States. But after coming to Exeter, that completely changed. Everyone is their own person, and Exeter really allows—and encourages—people to be authentic. The community here is built on the fact that we are all unique, and that is something that I cherish.
How have you found the Harkness approach? Has it been challenging? How has the transition been? How long did it take you to adjust to this learning style?
Harkness has truly had a huge impact on me. For many students, the challenge is learning how to speak up because they’ve never experienced that kind of classroom environment before. But for me, it was actually the opposite, I was extremely talkative, to the point where I didn’t always know how to balance sharing my own ideas with giving my classmates space to speak.
Through Harkness, and through feedback from my English teachers, I’ve learned how to listen more intentionally, not always say the first thing that comes to mind, and really create space for others to contribute to the conversation. That has impacted me beyond the classroom, and has helped me become more intentional with my words and be able to listen better!
Tell us about the extracurricular activities you’re involved in. What have you embraced or dived into?
Exeter has SO many opportunities. I initially signed up for around 15 clubs during Club Night, but eventually narrowed it down to about 5–6 that I’m most passionate about.
On campus, I’m involved in Debate, Model UN, The Exonian, Student Council, and OMA clubs like the International Student Alliance and the Subcontinent Society. Student Council has been especially fun and confidence-building, I was elected as the prep and future lower representative for my class, which involved campaigning, collecting signatures, and getting to know many people.
Debate has been a long-time passion of mine, so it’s been great to continue it here. I also hadn’t done MUN before, but students were very welcoming and helped me get started. Furthermore, the cultural clubs are some of the most supportive communities on campus, and many of my closest friendships have come from them.
Finish the sentence: Exeter pushes me to…
Grow into a version of myself I didn’t know I could become, and truly love.
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