Ruihan (Andrew) Sun, ’29

Hometown: Beijing, China
Languages: English, Mandarin
Major: Physics (Intended)
Main extracurricular activities: Co-leading the Middlebury College Access Mentor Program (MiddCAM) at the Center for Community Engagement, a big fan of drone photography, skiing at the Snowbowl, and sharing life experiences through social media

What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m a big fan of the sky, whether that means flying (and occasionally crashing) drones or trying out different airlines. When I fly between China and the US, I plan my route to be as “experimental” as possible so I can ride a specific airline or aircraft I’ve been curious about. Most Chinese students make the trip in about 25 hours. Mine usually takes 60, with layovers in the Middle East, Africa, or South Asia. And somehow the detours often make the ticket cheaper.

How would you describe the value of a Middlebury education?

The value of a Middlebury education, for me, is the chance to begin exploring what it means to live an examined and fulfilled life. Before coming to Middlebury, I hadn’t had the chance to read many great books or philosophy, such as Plato. Here, I have had the privilege of taking courses with a renowned professor, Mr. Dry (he prefers “Mr. Dry” to “Professor Dry”), who has taught at Middlebury for more than 50 years. Through his courses, small seminars of only 15 students, and office hours with him that can last up to an hour, I have gradually come to understand what a fulfilled life means and to form a vision of the life I want to pursue. Middlebury also equips me with the skills I need in the age of AI. I am taking physics, math, and computer science, and I spend time in the Makerspace playing around with robotic arms. Pairing these STEM courses with reading courses that train me to think will help me keep up in a fast-changing AI world. Finally, I love the community here, where I get to talk with friends from all over the world and build meaningful connections.