Maja Musa '28

Hometown: Gornji Vakuf Uskoplje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Languages: English, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian
Majors: English (Creative Writing track), German
Extracurriculars: Editor in chief of Blackbird Arts Journal, News Editor for The Middlebury Campus, International Student Organisation (ISO), German language tutor, pottery club

What’s your favorite thing to do during J-Term?

I love exploring new things! I am an English major, but during J-Term I love taking classes I maybe would not usually take. In my first year, I took a class on architectural design, and in my second year I did a salsa and bachata dancing class! They were so much fun and I loved learning a lot about these topics. Now, I can make a model of a small building or dance salsa!

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self to better your Middlebury experience?

I would tell myself to try everything! Middlebury has so many different things for students to do, and in my first year I did not always take a lot of advantage of that. First-year students get an opportunity for free skiing lessons, they get to choose fun classes and extracurriculars, and meet so many new people! In my second year, once I got comfortable in Middlebury, I took more action to try different things and step out of my comfort zone. There are many clubs and organisations on campus, so I tried to do different things. I played basketball, learned how to do pottery, became the editor of our literary magazine, did spin classes, went to the Snowbowl, and so much more! While sometimes I do wish I took more advantage of everything in my first year, I also appreciate that I gave myself the opportunity to settle into my life in Middlebury before exploring absolutely everything. I think the most important piece of advice is to listen to oneself and do what is right for one. I am thankful to Middlebury for providing the space I needed to feel comfortable, and then the space I needed to spread my wings. I am thankful to myself for allowing breathing space, as well as space to explore every opportunity.