Galea Danita, '29

Hometown: Chisinau, Moldova

Languages: Romanian

High School: UWCSEA Dover

Affiliations (CBO’s, etc.): Davis UWC Scholars

Major: Joint Major in Architecture and Physics

Minor: Mathematics

Main Extracurricular Activities: Architecture Table, ISO

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?

Hi! My name is Galea, and after spending four years in boarding schools (first in Switzerland, then at UWC South East Asia in Singapore) I knew one thing for certain: I needed a university where I could find the same kind of culturally diverse community that had shaped who I am.

When I was researching colleges, Middlebury kept appearing on my list, and the international community here stood out immediately. I could already see myself finding that same sense of belonging I’d experienced at UWC. And I wasn’t wrong; the UWC community here has been incredible, and I’ve connected with people who understand what it means to call multiple places home.

I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous about choosing a “small” university. Would I feel limited? Would I miss out on opportunities? But it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I’ve gotten to know students across all grades, formed genuine friendships, and – here’s the best part – my professors actually know my name. They’re not just lecturing at me; they’re guiding me, challenging me, pushing me to think deeper. 

So far, it’s been everything I hoped for and more. Middlebury has become the perfect place to continue the journey I started in those international classrooms halfway across the world.

Fun Fact: 

I’m undefeated at a game called “Idiot.”

Growing up in Moldova, I spent countless summers in my apartment building’s entryway playing a Russian card game called “Durak”, which literally translates to “idiot.” It’s supposed to be easy, but after hundreds of hours on those concrete steps, I’ve become pretty unbeatable. Now at Middlebury, I teach my friends how to play, and watching them struggle to pronounce “Durak” is almost as entertaining as watching them lose. There’s something special about sharing this silly, nostalgic piece of my childhood with people from completely different corners of the world.

How would you describe the Middlebury experience?

Middlebury already feels like home. What’s made this transition so meaningful is how naturally I’ve connected with people across campus: from freshmen to upperclassmen, from fellow international students to American locals. I’ve discovered that saying “hi” to strangers as I walk around campus can become my gateway to unexpected friendships and spontaneous adventures.

This spirit of connection came alive one evening when my architecture professor invited me to one of his gigs in Bristol. I gathered six friends, and what started as a simple outing transformed into something magical: under the night sky, we witnessed a shooting star while surrounded by live music and enjoying chicken tacos.

This is what I love most about Middlebury: the way ordinary moments become extraordinary when you bring curious people together and remain open to possibility. My social circle has become a vibrant melting pot of personalities and perspectives, each person offering a unique lens through which to experience college life.