Dan Tumwine, '29

Hometown: Kigali, Rwanda
Languages: English, Swahili and Luganda
High School: Ecole Secondaire Kanombe/EFOTEC
Affiliations: Bridge2Rwanda/Isomo Academy
Majors: Economics and Political Science
Main Extracurricular Activities: Student Government, Rohatyn Global Scholar, Language in Motion, CCI Ambassador

Hey there! My name is Dan Tumwine, and I am from Kigali, Rwanda. I intend to double major in Economics and Political Science, with a potential minor in Educational Studies. Some of my interests are hanging out with friends, debating about everything, and traveling to new places. I chose to become an ambassador because I like interacting with people, and I love sharing opportunities and resources with others. I can’t wait to meet and walk with you throughout your college application process.

A fun fact:

My fun fact is that I speak more than five widely spoken languages in East Africa, including Luganda, Kirundi, Swahili, Lunyankore, Lutooro, Kinyarwanda, and more. 

Any tips for incoming students to help them make the most out of their Middlebury experience?

A piece of advice I would give to incoming students is to be open to the opportunities presented to you. Also, Middlebury has a lot of resources, all you need to do is ask. You will always get help and opportunities. Talk to your professors. Professors at Middlebury are willing to have conversations and to bond even beyond classes.

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?

I couldn’t visit any school, but Middlebury visited me. When Karen and Françoise, a Middlebury alumna from Rwanda, visited Bridge2Rwanda, I was intrigued by every word they shared, especially when they mentioned the student-to-faculty ratio of nine to one and that most classes enroll fewer than twenty-five students. I was astounded. In high school, I had close interactions with my teachers, who encouraged me to apply theory to real life, and I chose Middlebury because I knew I’d maintain that close connection with everyone.