Doreen Ngemera, '28

Hometown: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

High School: UWC East Africa (Arusha Campus)

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

Major: Environmental Economics & Statistics

Main Extracurricular Activities: Middlebury Consulting Group, OratoryNow, Evolution Dance Crew, MALt 2025-26, ResLife

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?

When I was applying to colleges, I knew that I wanted to attend a small liberal arts college where I could truly connect with people, explore freely and grow both personally and academically. Middlebury immediately stood out. 

What first caught my attention were its sustainability initiatives, especially the Climate Action Program and the way students are encouraged to be active agents of change on campus and beyond. As someone who is passionate about environmental issues, I was drawn to the fact that Middlebury has the oldest and most respected Environmental Studies programs. I knew it would pave a path for me to learn and turn my passion for climate action into real impact. 

I was also captivated by Middlebury’s incredible language programs. Having studied French on and off, the idea of total immersion through the Summer Language Schools studying abroad in a Francophone country felt like the perfect combination of learning, challenge and adventure.

And of course, I can’t forget Vermont itself. Growing up, I had never seen snow before, and the thought of skiing for the first time, hiking through fall foliage and studying in a peaceful environment surrounded with nature drew me in!

Where would you study abroad if you could?

Definitely Bordeaux, France!  After learning French at Middlebury during the year and through the Summer Language School, I’ve completely fallen in love with the language. I’d love to put my French into practice in a more immersive environment while experiencing the rhythm of daily life in a new culture and expand my study abroad experiences in a new corner of the world!

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

Middlebury is a place full of incredible opportunities and at times the numerous choices can feel overwhelming. My advice is to take it one step at a time and balance exploration with focus so you can fully engage without overcommitting alongside your academics. 

At the same time, don’t be afraid to push yourself outside your comfort zone. This might mean taking a class you never expected to try, joining a student organization in your first year or even applying for grants through the CCE, CCI or Innovation Hub to bring a project idea to life. Each of these experiences will give you the chance to discover new passions, develop skills and build meaningful connections. For me that looked like joining a dance crew, taking an acting class, and going on a MALt trip to LA. What will it be for you?

Finally, adjusting and finding your community may be hard in the beginning but seek out community which is a valuable aspect about Middlebury. Seek out peers, upperclassmen and professors who can guide and inspire you. My favorite question to ask upperclassmen was always “What do you wish you knew as a first year back then?” and I learned a lot through that! So, ask questions, attend events and be present in the spaces Middlebury provides.