Lucy Machon, '29

Hometown: Newbury, England

High School: UWC Atlantic

Affiliations (CBO’s, etc.): Davis UWC Scholars Programme, Villars Institute, Atlantic  Pacific @Atlantic College

Major: Undecided

Main Extracurricular Activities: Midd Crew

Why did you choose to attend Middlebury?

Hey! My name is Lucy, I’m from England and I graduated from UWC Atlantic in 2025. When applying for university, one of the main things I considered was being part of an international and close-knit community. At UWC, I learned how powerful it is to live and learn alongside people from all over the world, and I knew I wanted to continue that experience. I realized that UK universities might not offer that same kind of global environment, so I started looking elsewhere.

When I came across Middlebury, it immediately stood out to me; not just because of its strong academics but also because of its strong sense of international community and shared curiosity about the world. It really felt like an extension of UWC in some ways. I’m very outdoorsy, so the idea of having lakes, mountains, and even a ski slope practically in my backyard felt incredibly appealing. I am also really interested in studying biology, geography and earth and climate science so what better place to study that than in the middle of rural Vermont? The natural environment here feels like an extension of the classroom, and it’s been amazing to learn in a place where the landscape itself reflects what we’re studying.

Since arriving, I’ve found that same sense of curiosity and community I loved at UWC. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by like-minded, intelligent people who are studying such a wide range of subjects. And it’s just as great to be surrounded by friends who will spontaneously go on a sunset hike instead of staying in to study – the perfect Middlebury balance!

What is your favorite study spot on campus?

It’s a very basic answer, but it would have to be the sofas at the back of the Davis Family Library. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and focus… right up until you accidentally fall asleep there! You can curl up with your work and look out of the large windows across the beautiful rolling hills and trees. You watch the seasons change from snowy winters to bright green summers and fall colours. 

What do you do to relax and have fun?

I spend a lot of my day sitting and studying, so to relax and have some fun, I love to get up and move. Being outdoors is my favourite way to recharge; whether that’s going on a walk around the beautiful nature paths with my friends, gardening at our school gardening space or heading down to the lake for rowing practice. Watching the hills glide past me while rowing is honestly my favorite part of the day.  I also enjoy cozy nights indoors just as much, baking or curling up on a bed to watch films. For me, the best way to make the most out of Middlebury is striking a balance between study, movement, time for yourself and with friends to relax and pause since Middlebury can sometimes move very fast. There’s no “right” way to do Middlebury, and you have time to figure out what works best for you, so take your time and enjoy the journey.