During my four and a half years at Middlebury, I learned more about other cultures than I ever imagined. I chose Middlebury for its foreign language programs, and I immediately signed up for French and German classes—but I had no idea how deeply French- and German-speaking cultures would influence my life.

I spent my second and third semesters at the College living in the German House—hosting German film evenings, Friday afternoon coffee hours for faithful faculty and students, speakers from the Goethe Institute and many exciting German dance parties.

I became even more enthusiastic about European cultures during my semesters in Paris and Mainz. While living in Paris, I traveled, shared meals with and met the friends of my host family. A semester later in Mainz, I discovered German life by integrating myself into it completely, attending local Rhineland festivals and even taking part in the Christmas traditions of a German friend.

Upon returning to Middlebury, I lived in the French House for my final three semesters. Each gathering there was an eye-opening cultural experience: students from Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia and other countries all shared the exploration of the Francophone cultures together, and through this we learned about each other's cultures, as well.

After my February graduation celebration at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl, I chose to spend a semester student teaching in the town of Middlebury, thus gaining the teaching license that I'll need to help me continue to share the exhilarating experience of cultural exchange with other young people in the future.