Angabeen Mir, '29

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan

High School: Li Po Chun United World College

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

Major: Computer Science

Main Extracurricular Activities: Women in Computer Science, Women in Wallstreet, South Asian Student Association

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?

One of the main things I loved about the UWC experience was the well rounded holistic education I received and that is why I knew I wanted to go to a liberal arts college. Middlebury was an option which paired this with a relatively diverse student body as well as a very strong alumni network, both of which were things I was looking for. Furthermore, I was impressed by their commitment to the United World College movement, which assured me that they would prioritise UWC values.

Having been used to small class sizes, I also wanted a college which felt like a tight knit community, and that’s exactly what I found. Middlebury College was also known for having a large number of alumni who go on to work in the finance sector, and since that was my primary interest, it sealed my decision to attend Middlebury. While I was initially hesitant about the rural Vermont location, having lived in big cities all my life, it turned out to be a nice change in place, and so far I am really enjoying my time in this community and college.

Fun Fact: 

When I was a kid, I used to be obsessed with WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). I was so invested I would get up before sunrise to watch the events live, place (non monetary) bets on who would win, have a collection of wrestler figurines and practice wrestling moves with my brother. It was a bit stupid, mainly because the matches were all scripted, but at least it made for some good memories. 

What advice would you give to incoming Middlebury students?

A tip I would give to upcoming Middlebury students is to expand your comfort zone in your freshman year, but also have a community that’s your safety net. Try out new things because you might discover a passion you didn’t know you had, or make a new friend in an event where you know no one. However, be kind to yourself and have a place you can always fall back on if things are hard, which might be your friends, your cultural organization, or a religious community. Experimentation is fun, but support systems are much needed in a new place. Best of luck, I know you’ll do great!