Student Endorsements From Summer 2002

What do students of Russian say about the Middlebury Russian School? What do professors of Russian say about the Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian?

If you're thinking about applying to a specific level, click on the level to see comments from students at that level:

Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 

Graduate Program (6-week)

If you'd like to know what professors of Russian say about the Middlebury School of Russian, click here.

I have taken many language courses at the university level, and can confidently say that the program at Middlebury was one of the best I have ever encountered.  The program integrated both academic and social aspects of Russian language and culture giving me a wonderful and time-efficient introduction to a part of the world I knew very little about.  The exceptional skill and patience of my professors matched with the enthusiasm of my fellow students made the Middlebury environment pleasantly challenging.
– Rachael, American University, Level 1(Summer 2002)

[Having completed level 1 at Middlebury this summer] I am now in Third Year Russian here at Johns Hopkins, alongside native speakers, reading short stories by Pushkin and Tolstoy. The Russian "clique" of the sophomore class immediately befriended me when I started talking about the films Brat and Brat 2 [which I saw at Middlebury]. Through connections I made at Middlebury, I have now had the pleasure of meeting the Russian Ambassador to the United States ....  When I came to Middlebury, I knew the word "Da." - I still hadn't learned what "nyet" meant.  There is not a price to be payed for the things I have gained over the past 3 months.  What prompted me to write ... is [an article in] the Wall Street Journal, featuring a review of [a film by] Pavel Lounguine [filmmaker who came to Middlebury as artist-in-residence in 2002.]  Not only am now able to evaluate the article critically from the social and cultural education I received at Middlebury while learning the language,  but it is also just plain ridiculously cool ... knowing that I have talked to the director in his native tongue more than did the prominent reporter doing an article on him for the Wall Street Journal.
– "Kostya," Johns Hopkins University, Level 1 (Summer 2002)

Middlebury is not for the faint of heart.  The School of Russian is a challenging program that is demanding of its students on several levels.  A summer at Middlebury's School of Russian combines the demands of a rigorous academic schedule with the challenges of living in an environment where your first language is unavailable.  In this sense, studying at Middlebury is similar to studying abroad.  However, the challenge of Middlebury is also its strength.  The language pledge creates an immersion atmosphere unlike even that in Russia itself.  The immersion and twenty-four hour interaction with an amazing staff make every minute of time spent in Middlebury a learning experience.  The relationship between students and professors was unlike any I had ever experienced.  The quality of the professors was of course incredible; however, even more influential in making the Middlebury experience so successful was the relationship between students and professors.  To say that the teachers were accessible or available at all times is to understate their interaction with the students.  The entire staff at Middlebury lives with the students at all times, going through the summer experience together as partners in a way I cannot imagine occurring anywhere else.  I personally was amazed at the progress I made while at Middlebury.  Having absolutely no background in Russian, I doubted that I would be able to make extensive progress. I left Middlebury with a firm foundation in fundamental constructions, a significant vocabulary, and most importantly confidence in my language skills.  On leaving Middlebury I was shocked to find that I could hold basic and even mildly complex conversations comfortably.  One of the major reasons for my desire to participate in the Middlebury School of Russian had been that I intended to spend a semester of study in Moscow the following Fall.  Shortly after arriving in Moscow, I realized how glad I was to have made that decision.  I cannot imagine how much less I would have been able to get out of my experience in Moscow if I had not spent my summer at Middlebury.  The Russian I learned over the summer allows me to read signs, to converse with the people I encounter, to handle the basic situations that are so often difficult for travelers and which I observe many of my fellow students struggling with every day, and more.  Most important for me is that I have been able to live with a Russian family and communicate with them in Russian, opening a window for me into their culture and way of life that would have been otherwise unavailable.  I highly recommend the Middlebury School of Russian to anyone prepared to accept a challenge and surpass their goals.  The School of Russian is worth every minute of frustration and every bit of effort, because the result is a competence and a confidence in your language skills that will surprise you.
– Zachary, Stanford University, Level 1 (Summer 2002)

I need to read sources in Russian for my doctoral dissertation in history, and my professors highly recommended that I attend Middlebury's Shool of Russian to begin learning the language.  The skills I have acquired in the classroom are a wonderful foundation for my future studies.  Our teachers in the first-year course are clearly experienced and highly invested in guiding us toward reading and articulating (grammatically correct)  sentences and ideas.  In addition, the totally Russian environment here cultivates a living language rather than one that just remains in the  textbook.  By the middle of the summer, we were no longer able to sign our names in English without concentrating on each letter.  *That's* immersion.
– Tamar, Graduate Student, University of Pennsylvania, Level 1 (Summer 2000)

Having beat my head against the brick wall of Russian for close to four years now, I can attest from first-hand experience that the staff of the Middlebury School of Russian is second to none!  Not only are the academic credentials exceptional, but the personalities, enthusiasm, patience, and dedication to the learning process are totally unique …. From one who has been playing catch up, … [I can say that] … a staff of lesser competence would have written me off and thrown me out long ago.
– Isaac, International Businessman, Level 1 (Summer 2002)

I expected to study a little (and sleep a lot!) [at the Middlebury School of Russian], but as soon as I arrived at Middlebury I found myself busier than ever-and loving it!  Of course the workload was heavy, but somehow even homework didn't seem that bad when it was in Russian.  After nine weeks of playing on the soccer team, acting in the school play, and stuffing as many movies, discos, and tea salons as possible into my schedule, I found myself not only talking in Russian, but thinking and dreaming in it.  The progress I, and all other students in the first course, made was amazing and certainly would not have been possible without the language pledge.  I have only one complaint: nine weeks goes by far too quickly!
– Eliza, unaffiliated, Level 1 (Summer 2002)

For more comments from students from level 1, see Lydia (level 3) and Adam (level 7), both of whom studied at Middlebury in summer 2001 in the level 1 course.

My experience at Middlebury's Summer School of Russian was wonderful! When I first arrived, I was very nervous and intimidated by the program. It was hard for me to imagine speaking, thinking, sleeping, and breathing only Russian for 9 weeks:) But, as the summer went on and I got involved in the program and all it had to offer, I could honestly feel the improvement I was making.  Although it's hard to recognize all that you're accomplishing when you're actually doing it, it's very clear by the end of the summer. When you compare your entrance oral exam with your exit oral exam, you can definitely tell the difference and it's very exciting.  The Russian program is very wonderful in responding with their feedback and that helps to ease the frustration that can come from being in such an academically and emotionally stressful environment. The professors and administrative staff are extremely accessible and eager to help. I really appreciated how quickly my homework, tests, and compositions were returned and the final paper each student received at the end of the program from our professors, denoting our progress and including a special personal note.  Besides academics, the Russian school offered a lot more. Every day there were always a number of club meetings or extracurricular Russian activities.  We even got to participate in a special Russian folk music concert by Zolotoi Plios. My class learned how to play the wooden spoons and had a lot of fun playing with them. The musicians were very friendly and added a lot to our knowledge about traditional Russian culture.  I would highly recommend this program to anyone who has the desire to learn and time to commit to it. For me, it was very beneficial to concentrate on only one academic subject for nine weeks. I learned so much in such a short amount of time and I found that I enjoyed the material, homework, and classroom time far more than I ever had during a normal semester at college. The quality of the environment is much different than that of another college/university that I know of and that is evidenced by all of the students' and staff's patience, understanding, and support of each other and the program.
– Lauren, Agnes Scott College, Level 2 (Summer 2002)

Middlebury prepared me for Russia in a way that nothing else could have. I arrived [at Middlebury] in June having studied Russian for only six months and, at the time, was barely able to put a sentence together. In just nine weeks I was able to express myself quickly and confidently. Above all, I was amazed at the speed with which I learned to speak. The language pledge made me stop over-worrying about mistakes so that I could focus on the essence of language: communication. I left for Russia a week after the program and now find that I can express myself in almost any situation, after less than a year of formal training in the language; meanwhile, most of my classmates, who have studied college Russian for 3 or 4 years, are still struggling with how to put their book knowledge into practice.
– Scott, Graduate Student at New York University, Level 2 (Summer 2002)

The Middlebury Summer Language Program was the best thing I could have done with my summer. I went into the experience with the expectation that it would be difficult and frustrating, but necessary and rewarding.  I never predicted that as I was working hard to learn a new language I would be also be having the most enjoyable summer that I can remember.  Each day was a new adventure: one entire week we were able to spend with a Russian folk band, Zolotoi Plus, which taught each class to participate in a different song.  I was thrilled when, so early on in the program, I was on stage playing spoons along with accordion music and Russian dancing.  That concert was amazing, and only the beginning of the many culturally enriching activities that not only helped accelerate my learning of the language but made me more motivated to do so.  Throughout the summer I made my own lacquer box, cheered on my classmates at soccer games, and watched the news in Russian.  I quickly developed a close relationship with my classmates, I loved having a variety of people, from students to professors to government workers all struggling and learning.  The experience made everyone become close and we could all learn from each other.  I was sad to leave Middlebury--I knew I would miss my professors, classmates, and most importantly, the supportive environment that made a difficult task so much fun, so enriching, and indescribably rewarding.
– Mary, Wheaton College (MA), Level 2 (Summer 2002)

Without hesitation, I would call the summer I spent at the Middlebury College School of Russian one of my most productive.  I walked in with only a semester's worth of Russian grammar and a heavy heart about having to speak this new language for nine weeks. The constructive and helpful learning atmosphere quickly dispelled any apprehension.  The caliber of the program is second to none. The students and faculty are first-rate, and spending a summer in such a beautiful setting isn't half-bad either.  I couldn't be happier with my progress in all facets of the Russian language.
– Mac, Georgetown University, Level 2 (Summer 2002)

The curriculum taught in class each morning was only the foundation of my learning. Each event, each meeting, and each conversation outside of class were invaluable opportunities to increase my vocabulary and improve proficiency!  My teachers' endless enthusiasm to see us improve and help expand our working knowledge of Russian really inspired us to push ourselves.  Thank you for a wonderful summer!
– Julie, Stanford University, Level 3 (Summer 2002)

This was my second summer at Middlebury.  The program is allowing me to complete a double major at the University of Oklahoma in Geology/Paleontology and Russian.  My studies now allow me to use Russian-language Paleontology journals as research sources.  I also hope that, in the future, my Russian will allow me to work in Russia for a petroleum company.  My first summer (2001), I entered Middlebury knowing no Russian other then "da", "nyet", and "vodka."  At the end of the summer, I was able to understand and make myself understood to native speakers.  Now, at the end of my second summer, I can speak in paragraphs and narrate series of events.  The Middlebury Summer Language Schools are a wonderful way to spend a summer, especially if you learn by application like I do.  It allows you to study in a Russian atmosphere while being surrounded by students who have all been at your level of study at one point and therefore understand how you feel and what you are going through.  The workload is rather heavy, most courses go through one to 1.5 textbooks over the course of the summer.  But it's amazing how much work you can do when you don't have distractions like TV, books, and the Internet. There are always people willing to try and help you with your homework.  The many clubs allow the instant application of lessons on a daily basis.  Some activities, like choir and soccer, can offer a familiar environment that crosses the language barrier.  Movies, special guests, and native Russian teachers provide insights into and anecdotes about Russian culture that most students wouldn't learn in a typical Russian course.  It's always fun to go into town or to the lake and watch peoples' reactions to you speaking Russian with your friends.  The best example is when the whole school goes to Lake Dunmore.  You would think people didn't expect to find 120-odd people speaking Russian in the middle of Vermont.
– Lydia, University of Oklahoma, Level 1 (Summer 2001) and Level 3 (Summer 2002)

The summer I spent at Middlebury's School of Russian was the most fulfilling and rewarding time I have spent in any academic pursuit.  Before I arrived at Middlebury, I was hoping to improve my Russian language skills so that I could return to my home campus with a better understanding of the language.  I could not have imagined the difference it made.  The beauty of the program lies in the fact that you are totally immersed.  The obscure grammar rules, that looked so strange on charts and in textbooks, suddenly started falling into place in my head.  I began speaking correctly without even trying to remember which letter comes at the end of a masculine noun in the dative case!  And at the end of the summer, I didn't feel like I had just finished a year of Russian.  As I exchange e-mail addresses with the friends I had made (students and teachers alike), there was a sad sense that this was the end of a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
– Joseph, Harvard University, Level 3 (Summer 2002)

Middlebury's School of Russian is an ideal place to acquire and improve Russian language skills.  The program is marked by a rigorous combination of linguistic and cultural immersion.  In the classroom, I studied grammar and vocabulary with top-notch professors, and outside the classroom I watched Russian films, listened to Russian music, joined clubs, attended Russian karaoke and discos, and formed friendships with fellow students and faculty.  Meals provided time to practice what I was learning in class with other students and members of the faculty, as did dorm life and cultural clubs, such as choir, theater, cooking club, and soccer.  The combination of in-class and extracurricular instruction taught me to express myself in formal classroom settings, social situations, and daily life.  As a result of the Middlebury program, and specifically the language pledge, I no longer feel intimidated or inhibited to speak with native Russian speakers.  Despite the fact that I make mistakes, I now speak with more confidence than ever before.  I am extremely satisfied with the growth of my language skills, and astounded that I was able to accomplish so much in only nine short weeks!
– Sarah, Vassar College, Level 3 (Summer 2002)

My summer language study at Middlebury College was everything I had hoped for…and even more.  There were close to two-dozen native speakers there on the faculty, who also ate their meals with us and lived in the same dormitory…so the language experience was around the clock.  A variety of guest speakers passed through with lectures, in Russian, on everything from politics to icons.  We were treated to authentic Russian films, both classic and contemporary, at least twice a week.  There was a student choir, which sang in Russian, and performed both church music and native folksongs.  I, personally, participated in a play, which was performed in Russian, and a Russian cooking club.  It would be difficult to imagine a more comprehensive program!  Middlebury truly deserves the international reputation that it enjoys, and which was reflected this summer in the Russian program by students from Alaska, Hawaii, Zambia, Israel, Turkey, France, England, and Norway.  I recently returned from a two-week teacher conference in Vladimir, Russia, and I am pleased to report that I am doing the best I have ever done in using the Russian language.  In the everyday world the hotel and street life, I understood just about everything people said to me, and I can't remember an instance where native Russians did not understand me or asked me to repeat what I said.  …  Over the course of the two weeks I received a number of compliments on my Russian skills from a variety of people in a variety of contexts.  I even was able to exchange cordial greetings with the local Communist Party big shot at the November 7th Revolution Day rally.  I attribute all of this directly to my Middlebury training which, unquestionably, pushed me to a new level of language performance in a minimum amount of time.  As a former school director who has seen a lot of good (and not so good) educational programs, I want to say that I have the very highest regard for the summer program at Middlebury College.  I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking, what I consider to be, the finest intensive Russian language and cultural experience available in the States.
– Dwight, Unaffiliated, Level 3 (Summer 2001)

I am currently a PhD candidate at Georgetown University, and wanted to improve my Russian skills in order to conduct research for my dissertation. The experience at Middlebury was fabulous. My instructors were excellent, and I greatly improved my Russian. I even won an end of the term award for "best composition in Russian" for the [Level 3] class. But most importantly, my Middlebury studies provided me with a solid foundation in Russian.
– Jennifer, Graduate Student at Georgetown University, Level 3 (Summer 2001)

For more comments on level 3, see comment by Mike in Level 6 (who attended Middlebury in summer 2001 at level 3 and 2002 in level 6).

I had heard a long time ago that the Middlebury School of Russian offers one of the best Russian language programs in the world.  Before I came to Middlebury this summer, the director of the Russian School, Benjamin Rifkin, said to me:  "I can assure you that we will do a very, very good job with your Russian."  I was very impressed by all I had read about the courses, clubs, and extra-curricular activities, and so I arrived here in mid-June very enthusiastic and full of high expectations.  It is now mid-August and I must say that the School of Russian has completely surpassed my expectations in every respect. I have taken many language immersion programs in other languages in the past, and I expected that my Russian would improve a lot this summer, but I am amazed at the progress I feel I have made.  And so now I look back on the summer, and I think: How was this possible? My progress is the cumulative result of all the elements of the School of Russian, certain of which stand out most in my mind.  Our professors are absolutely fantastic.  Both inside and outside the classroom it is obvious that they love to teach Russian and are constantly interested in our progress.  The course curriculum is well-designed to help us improve all aspects of our Russian, and the materials and subject matter are interesting and useful.  The clubs and extra-curricular activities have been a perfect complement to the academic program.  I was in the Radio Club – we were on the air live every week, doing our own radio show completely in Russian, which was a lot of fun and a great way to put our Russian skills to the test. We watched an amazing selection of Russian films over the summer, which offered insight into Russian culture and society, and also helped immensely with the language.  The comparatively small size of the School of Russian has made it possible to get to know just about all the other students, professors, and club leaders.  The atmosphere of the school is extremely friendly and positive – everyone wants to learn Russian – and this has made a great learning environment. We've had lots of fun with many activities, including volleyball, the tea salon, the talent show, karaoke night, charades, lectures, and concerts.  And we've worked really, really hard – I've been amazed at the constant discipline and dedication fo the students and professors here. Last, but not least, the Language Pledge has been tremendously important to our progress.  We have to speak Russian all the time, which has not always been easy, but it works, just like they say it does.  Now that the end of the School of Russian is almost here, I will be very sad to leave, but I look forward to keeping in touch with all the wonderful friends I've made over the summer. And would I come back to the School of Russian in the future?  Definitely!
– Catherine, Lawyer, Toronto, Canada, Level 4 (Summer 2002)

As a sports and travel photographer, my work has taken me to nearly three dozen countries.  I've found that Middlebury College is the best preparation for foreign destinations.  With the help of the language pledge and awesome teachers, I've not only met my goals in Russian, but I've exceeded them -- and in 9 short weeks! At the School of Russian, I had the privilege to attend nearly a week of question and answer sessions with Cannes Film Festival's Best Director, Pavel Lounguine. With world class lecturers like that, in addition to countless movies and activities, the summer's over before you know it!
– Christopher, Level 1 (Summer 2000) and Level 4 (Summer 2002)

My experience with the Middlebury School of Russian was … incomparable with anything I've done before.  I was fortunate enough to play soccer [and] chess, drink tea (and chat!) as well as sing in the choir and write for the newspaper.  These activities were not only delightful, but also gave me the chance to interact more closely with members of the teaching staff and students of different levels.  I cannot stress enough the value of these programs and the interactions in improving your Russian language abilities, as well as making the summer go by quickly and enjoyably.
– Chrissy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Level 4 (Summer 2002)

After my time in the language school in Middlebury, I didn't think that I had improved that much.  But recently I arrived in Moscow and now realize how much I've learned.  I understand a great deal and can hold my own when conversing.  Middlebury was a wonderful experience of which I am grateful for.  The teachers became more like friends than teachers, yet they were still able to maintain a professional figure.  The entire concept of "no English", in my opinion, is they key factor in learning, comprehensively, the Russian language as a whole.
– Lyle, University of Kansas, Level 4 (Summer 2002)

Before going to Middlebury, I understood the basics of Russian but didn't feel very confident about using it to express myself.  Middlebury's diverse and challenging program helped me make tremendous improvement in all aspects of the language.  I realized just how much experience and confidence I had gained during the summer after I went home and was able to have a real conversation with a recent Russian immigrant to the US.  It was an honor to work with such amazingly bright and earnest teachers and students, with whom I miss speaking in Russian very much.  And I will always remember the afternoon soccer games and those small moments, such as singing the Russian birthday song all together in the dining hall, that made it seem like the  Russian School really was just one big family.
– Pey-Yi, Stanford University, Level 5 (Summer 2002)

I attended the Middlebury program the summer before my fourth undergraduate year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Immediately following the program I left for a year of study at Moscow International University in Moscow, Russia.  I am currently two-thirds of the way through my first semester there.  I had heard a lot of good things about the Middlebury Program from my professor and my Russian teachers, but the pledge and the promise of a lot of hard work intimidated me.  It's not the easiest way to spend a summer, I thought, but the preparation would be good for Russia.  When I arrived at Middlebury, my nervousness eased somewhat. I realized that I was surrounded by students with the same fears as mine, but that also had an enthusiasm and drive for learning the language that three-fourths of the students in my home university classes didn't.  All nine weeks, the students did all of their homework and did all that was asked of them because that was the norm, not the exception.  Success and progress was an expectation of the group, and for that reason, it was a reality for many students… [T]he staff in the Russian program was ready almost 24 hours a day to help the students and nuture their progress.  I got used to waking up at 6:30 (in July!), going to class until noon, and doing homework until midnight.  I also got used to learning an immense amount of information every day.  My language learning here in Moscow has been aided by the lessons about myself that I was forced to learn at Middlebury.  I had to learn how to learn, something that I hadn't really done by my third year of college.  I now know how to study and retain information more efficiently, which will help me for the rest of my life.
– George, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Level 5 (Summer 2001)

I went to Middlebury because I was afraid that …  I would be unable to pass my qualifying exams in Russian [at Oxford University, UK]. Middlebury exceeded my expectations in every way. Not only did I pass my exams upon entering, but I also placed out of all Russian classes offered at Oxford. Now, rather than taking Russian classes, I'm tutoring in intermediate Russian reading, using the same books that we used at Middlebury. In every way, my time at Middlebury did more than I could possibly have imagined for my language ability.
– Paul, Graduate Student at Oxford University, Level 5 (Summer 2001)

My summer at Middlebury was one of the most amazing summers of my life.  I not only learned how to speak Russian, but also learned how to apply my knowledge in a Russian context.  By the end of the program, it felt natural waking up and speaking Russian.  After the initial shock of the language pledge, I even occasionally found that I was muttering to myself in Russian!! Although the program is fantastic academically, the people are what really make Middlebury work.  The professors are always helpful; it doesn't matter if it's seven thirty in the morning and you want to discuss the concept of impersonal construction they are always willing to help.  Also, the people in the program are wonderful; you spend so much time together just because you want to speak and are able to speak.  The simple act of communicating, at Middlebury, becomes something greater, for each sentence is a triumph.  At the end of the program, I was truly sorry to have to speak English again! That is the essence of Middlebury the fact that Russian becomes a natural part of your life.
– Katy, Columbia University, Level 5 (Summer 2002)

My decision to study in the School of Russian has been the cornerstone to my success in learning the Russian language.  Without a doubt, I've learned more Russian in one summer than most students in an entire academic year at their home institution.  Having spent two summers here, I've been surrounded by the most enthusiastic and hardworking students who simply love the Russian language.  Likewise, the teachers bring out a strong desire to learn. They are among the most talented, supportive, and dedicated to one-on-one attention I've encountered in any discipline of study.  Don't let the idea of a small-town college fool you – at Middlebury activity is a way of life. From theater, dances, cooking and chess, to film, soccer, literature, computers and choir, Middlebury offered me so many opportunities to get involved and use Russian that I had no time to think in English.  After college I'd like to work in Russia and Eastern Europe through charitable or faith-based organizations and in the end become a teacher of Slavic languages. My two summers at Middlebury have been invaluable in working towards these goals and learning the Russian language.
– Mike, University of Wisconsin, Level 3 (Summer 2001) and Level 6 (Summer 2002)

I began studying Russian two years ago with hopes of reading Dostoevsky in the original.  Of course my initial goal was naive; after spending time at my own university studying Russian, a summer in another intensive language program, and a term in Russia, the difficult and detail-oriented nature of the Russian language kept me far away from understanding the original Brothers Karamazov.  After a summer in the 9-week program at Middlebury I can't claim to have the language skills to page through Dostoevsky with ease, but for a number of reasons I finally have a solid foundation in grammar, vocabulary and language acquisition skills that will get me there.  First of all, Middlebury attracts a very dedicated group of students and the most articulate, distinguished teachers, and everyone in the school is committed to the language pledge.  Secondly, students here don't only study and speak Russian, they think in Russian.  The classes, films, lectures, clubs, concerts, discussions and other events aimed at exposing students to various aspects of Russian culture are carefully organized to meet the level at which we think and to accommodate the level at which we speak.  I have not participated in any language program that has managed this as brilliantly as the Middlebury School of Russian.  Although I haven't spent the summer reading Crime and Punishment, I have the foundation in the language to help me get to the point at which I can read it.  And because of the cultural events organized by the school, I have a handful of others reasons to keep studying Russian until I can read Dostoevsky in the original.
– Courtney, Lawrence University, Level 6 (Summer 2002)

I had heard good things about the Davis School of Russian at Middlebury already before studying there this summer, but my expectations were surpassed by far. As someone teaching language on the college level myself, I dare to say that one summer in Middlebury is worth more than an entire academic year of instruction at a "normal" college.  All of my teachers not only were excellent instructors in the classroom, but dedicated almost all of their time to the progress and well-being of the students.  But it's not all about studying grammar and vocabulary, it's about participating in the social life and taking advantage of the cultural program.  And the language pledge? Well, the only problem I have with it is the fact that it ended three weeks ago, and that I therefore miss to speak Russian all day long.
– Martin, Graduate Student at the University of Pittsburgh, Level 6 (Summer 2002)

I think that the Language Pledge and the high quality of instruction at Middlebury really did wonders for my Russian, especially my reading ability.  At the beginning of the summer, it was painful to read more than one or two pages of Russian.  Now I'm able to read Anna Karenina without having to use a dictionary.  I definitely think that I made greater progress during this program than I did during a semester in St. Petersburg - I really can't recommend it enough.
– Sara, University of Rochester, Level 6 (Summer 2002)

Going into the School of Russian, I was skeptical that only nine weeks of classes would be enough to make up the full year of college Russian I needed to complete my major in time.  Now that the program has flown by, I can see that my skepticism was a mistake.  I had studied briefly in Russia, but even that experience pales next to the amazing Russian education available at Middlebury.  The teachers here are some of the warmest, most talented educators in the world; the students are a great group of really dedicated people; the activities available are fun and diverse-- I had a part in the play, wrote for the newspaper, and occasionally even found time to get some sleep-- in short, I don't have enough glowing words for the School of Russian.  Thanks to the outstanding people I met, the Language Pledge we all took, and the hard work we did this summer, I feel for the first time that Russian isn't as foreign to me as I used to think it was.
– Michael, Drew University, Level 6 (Summer 2002)

Graduate students pursuing degrees in fields that require advanced language abilities … often face the challenge of acquiring those skills while completing coursework, conducting original research, and meeting the other demands of the degree.  After two years of squeezing in Russian language classes alongside my other coursework, I decided to enroll in Middlebury's School or Russian, where I made tremendous progress in my Russian language skills in a remarkably short period of time.  At Middlebury I found the best foreign language teachers I have ever had in a unique environment where my classmates and I were completely immersed in Russian language and culture – in the Champlain valley of Vermont, no less! This level of exposure to Russian has given me something beyond just good knowledge of the language, though, for it has also trained my ear to be sensitive to the idioms and nuances of the Russian language, the subtleties and idiosyncrasies that are so crucial to doing academic research with literature and other historical sources. It has also given me the tools to develop and express my own ideas in Russian, which is another crucial tool for doing research in today's international academic community of Russian studies scholars. I highly recommend this program for anyone who seeks to hone his or her language skills and to develop the ability to think, argue, and even dream in a foreign language.
– Jim, Graduate Student at Columbia University, Level 6 (Summer 2002)

I came to Middlebury for the first time in June 2001 with a vague interest and no experience in Russian language and culture (I almost chose to study Swedish or Italian instead), but by the time I left, I had switched my major back at Brown University to Slavic Studies: I was smitten. Thanks to Middlebury, I leapt ahead after 9 weeks to the third year level at Brown...but with all of the distractions of university, I simply could not concentrate enough on Russian to really advance my linguistic skills.  So the next summer, I came back to Middlebury.  I placed into level 7, equivalent to beginning fourth year, and for the first time I noticed my own progress thanks to Middlebury.  I came in 2001 with no knowledge of Russian, and by summer 2002 I was able to take on a substantial role in the play without struggling for comprehension. … To be honest, my classes in Moscow (on study abroad) are a breeze.  My preparation at Middlebury forced me to either initiate one-on-one independent studies with my professors here or fall asleep, and without a doubt I'll take university courses with Russian students next semester.  Furthermore, living with a family has not raised any serious issues:  the cultural program at Middlebury was so effective that the first day with the family already felt familiar.  The son in the family exclaimed yesterday, referring to my knowledge of Russian films, music, and expressions from Middlebury, "Why did you even come here?  You already know everything!"
– Adam, Brown University, Level 1 (Summer 2001) and Level 7 (Summer 2002)

My experience in the Davis School of Russian at Middlebury has been both very enjoyable and very beneficial. I came to Middlebury because I wanted to improve my conversation and listening abilities, and the program here has definitely been helpful. It was the longest period of real immersion in the language I've had. The teachers for my level were fantastic, and other teachers gladly engaged in conversations with students in the dining hall and elsewhere outside of class.  One of my favorite events was a discussion conducted by native Russian teachers concerning the dissolution of the Soviet Union.  It was extremely interesting to hear of their experiences during the putsch of 1991, for example, and also to listen to a sustained conversation between native speakers.  Events like this helped give me the "feeling" of the language.  My participation in the Russian choir was another thrill.  The choir conductor helped us appreciate Russian folk music (a new way of singing for me!) and church music.  The history professor gave us skillful, clear, rich history lectures.  It was rewarding to be able to understand most of the content.  The numerous films were great exercises in listening comprehension and also very enjoyable.  Finally, it was great to be studying together with so many interesting fellow students of Russian.  And then there were the sports events, the talent show, the college bowl...A great summer!
– Jan, Unaffiliated, Level 7 (Summer 2002)

I attended the Davis School of Russian after already spending an academic year abroad in St. Petersburg and studying Russian for 4 years at the university level.  In retrospect, I believe that if I had attended the School of Russian prior to my year abroad, I would have been able to improve my language skills much more productively and would have had much more confidence approaching Russians.  In reality, attending the Russian School has allowed me to successfully, confidently, and grammatically fulfill both the day-to-day and work-related demands of my new job in [Ukraine].
– Kara, Swarthmore College, Level 7 (Summer 2001) / Now Middlebury College Office of Service Learning

I attended the School of Russian summer program as a supplement to graduate study in Russian literature during the academic year.  I found that the Language Pledge helped develop my ability to speak on a wide range of topics, from basic everyday needs to complex opinions and ideas -- and the array of co-curricular activities and interesting mix of students effectively supplied situations in which I wanted to speak.  I especially enjoyed attending the midsummer conference on America in the Eyes of Russians, listening to and engaging with scholars in the atmosphere of comfortable informality that surrounds the school's demanding core of study. It was a pleasure to work in the theater … observing how [the directors] continually modified and developed the play to alternately accommodate and challenge students' talents (and a great way to work intensively on my pronunciation as a bonus).  All of the teachers with whom I had contact were outstanding, genuinely and creatively involved in developing students' competencies.  My understanding of Russian grammar's complexities was vastly improved, and my ability to write in Russian developed well beyond my initial expectations, making a noticeable difference in my studies this fall.
– Tom, Graduate Student at Columbia University, Level 7 (Summer 2002)

For more students from Level 7, see Graduate Level:  Krista and  Seungdo

My two-year experience at the School of Russian has far exceeded my expectations.  The formal instruction has been quite demanding and challenging for me after a 32-year absence from the language, but I know I have learned as much or more outside of class - over meals, in the dormitory, and in the many co-curricular activities.  That adds up to 16-18 hours of active language learning every day, and after I started dreaming in Russian, it was 24-hours a day! …  I cannot think of another program that offers (and demands) such a total commitment to the language.  It is an exhausting program, but I look forward to each summer - to seeing all the friends I have made there and once again learning more about the language and culture from such outstanding instructors.  I know there is no other place where I can get such intensive language instruction in a genuine "total-immersion" program.  As hard as it sometimes is to keep the Language Pledge, it is the most effective tool for language learning. Because the students realize this, they readily accept the all-day effort it requires.  The rewards are well worth it.  I have found that potential employers highly regard the School of Russian at Middlebury College and are impressed by the level of competency of its graduates.  I look forward to using the language skills I am now acquiring at Middlebury.
– Becky, Graduate Level (Summers 2001-2002)

As always, I enormously admire the effective program of the School of Russian and the great efforts of the people working there. I think that the School of Russian should be proud of the students, including me, who have made a great progress and experience in learning Russian and are very content with it. The Middlebury School of Russian gave me a lot of good things so that without hesitation I can recommend my friends to participate in it. What was great is that a wide range of real-life cultural activities made me think in Russian, even though I have never been in Russia before. I am very proud of the School of Russian and am satisfied with what I have done there. For this reason, I am convinced that I will again attend the School of Russian next summer.
–Seungdo, Graduate Student at the University of Texas-Austin, Level 7 (Summer 2000) and Graduate Level (Summers 2001-2002)

The graduate students share a tremendous camaraderie. We have informal discussions over everything from politics to our personal lives. I think everyone is proud of the fact that they can do it all in Russian. This, of course, would not be possible without the fabulous teachers. They get to know all of their students extremely well, which allows them to help each student overcome academic challenges on a personal level.
– Bonnie, Level 5 (Summer 2001), Grad Level (Academic Year at Russian State University for the Humanities 2001-2002, Summer 2002)

The truly remarkable thing about my summers at Middlebury is that I learned more Russian there than I did in my numerous trips to Russia.  The reason for this is that, while both environments surrounded me with natives speaking 'real' Russian, only at Middlebury were those native speakers actively correcting my mistakes and explaining concepts to me from morning to night.  The result was incredible progress in my language skills over a very short period.
– Colin, 9-Week Program (Summer 1995) and Graduate Level (Summer 2000, Spring 2001 in Russia, and Summer 2001)

After a long break from Russian Studies, I came to Middlebury unsure of what was left for me to discover in academia.  The School of Russian offered me an experience much more profound than my previous studies on college campuses and more intense than my years of work in Russia.  It is a community that makes accessible to its students all aspects of Russian culture - the language, history, arts, and even the complex reality of modern Russia.  I would recommend Middlebury's School of Russian not only as the best preparation for a journey to Russia but also as the most provocative stimulation for new thought and energy in those who are already captured by the study of Russia.
– Peter, Graduate Level (Summer 2002, Academic Year 2002-2003 at RGGU)

I studied at the graduate level in the Middlebury School of Russian in Summer 2002.  It was my second summer at the Russian School; in 2000, I studied there at [Level 7].  I have often recommended the School of Russian to other students of Russian, both at my undergraduate university and now at graduate school, because my time spent there was simply the best investment I ever made in my language study.  My summers at Middlebury helped me to improve not only the technical aspects of my Russian (improvement of grammar and expansion of vocabulary), but also offered a safe and supportive environment in which to conquer my fear of speaking Russian.  Placing myself in a language-immersion experience, in which the need to communicate outweighed very quickly the fear of "sounding stupid" … [This] eliminated my "speaking-panic," and I was soon able to hold conversations in Russian very comfortably, even with native speakers.  This was even more evident after my first summer at Middlebury, because I studied for a semester in St. Petersburg, Russia, directly following completion of the program.  The improvement in my speaking and comprehension abilities in Russian, due to Middlebury, was immediately apparent, and I was able to enjoy my time in Russia by making friends and becoming close to my host family, without being held back by fear of speaking less than perfectly.  I can say without a doubt that my experience in Russia, both in and out of the classroom, was greatly enhanced by my study at Middlebury.  I think there are two main reasons why the Russian School works so successfully.  First, everyone who chooses to be there - students, faculty and staff – is overwhelmingly dedicated to the goal of the program.  Being surrounded by those who share your love for and dedication to the language is an invaluable motivating factor in improvement.  Second is, of course, the Language Pledge.  I believe immersion is centrally important in order to really absorb a language, but, unfortunately, in most language study environments, it is all too easy to slip into English when confronted with a difficult situation, even in Russia itself.  Being voluntarily bound by the Language Pledge meant that we studied, socialized, played, ate, sang and argued – all in Russian.  Before long at Middlebury, I was even dreaming in Russian, and for a short while at the end of the program (both of the summers that I spent there) I found it hard to express my thoughts in English.  This was certainly not a result of just the hours of excellent classroom study at Middlebury, but was also the cumulative effect of weeks of Russian-language socializing and co-curricular activities.  I have participated in both the School of Russian choir and theater group, and both activities were not only immensely enjoyable, but also extremely valuable in improving my Russian phonetics and comprehension.  In short, I believe that any student of Russian language must experience the School of Russian at Middlebury.  Studying in Russia is, of course, also indispensable for language acquisition, but two summers spent in the intensive program at Middlebury are, combined, the single most valuable contribution to my current language proficiency.
– Krista, Graduate Student, University of Michigan, Level 7 (Summer 2000) and Graduate Level (Summer 2002)

Through Middlebury College's School of Russian, I have spent a total of 3 summers and an academic year in Moscow.  It's hard work, yet as many others, I returned for more.  What kept me coming back to the School of Russian is the quality of instruction, the inexhaustible dedication of the faculty, and the students themselves, who are there because they sincerely want to learn the language.  It never ceases to amaze me how many students willingly give up their summer vacation to instead opt for intense language study at the School of Russian.
– Viani, Georgetown University, Graduate Level (Summer 1999, Academic Year in Russia 1999-2000, Summer 2001, Summer 2002)

I feel that the School of Russian at Middlebury helped me improve my language skills immensely, and one of the key aspects of this is the all-encompassing quality of the program.  The time that I spent in the classroom was rewarding, but in fact, the time that I spent at Middlebury outside of the classroom may have been even more essential to my language gains.  When all of my activities, even including my everyday necessities and personal relationships, are in Russian, the language becomes essential on a deeper level than if I had only had the experience in the classroom. When my peers and friends participate in teaching me the language as much as my teachers do, it makes the language part of my life, not just a part of my academic program.
– Shannon, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Graduate Level (Summer 2001)