Emily Costello on Pushing Past Fear at our 8-week Arabic Immersion Program
Throughout Emily Costello’s language learning journey, speaking was always her weakest skill. Middlebury’s Intensive Summer Program was exactly what she was looking for.
Emily Costello
Hometown: Greenport, NY
Program: 8-week Immersion
Current: Recently earned an MA from George Washington University
Why did you choose to study at our Arabic School?
Throughout my Arabic language journey, speaking was my weakest skill. I got in my head too much and overthought every single word and conjugation.
I knew that an immersive program would be the best option for me to get past this fear and become more confident in speaking the language. Middlebury’s Intensive Summer Program was exactly what I was looking for.
What surprised you about your experience at the Arabic School?
I thought the program would mainly be focused on class time, eating together, and studying together. However, there were so many cultural events to attend and fun clubs to join! I ended up taking a dance class and joining the cooking club - I looked forward to these classes every week! It helped me practice my Arabic while also learning different ways to appreciate the culture more deeply.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
I am very proud of my progress. I went into the program speaking very slowly and frequently stopping, trying to think of what to say next. After a few weeks, I found myself speaking passionately in Arabic with friends without even stopping. I was able to present on my final paper eloquently (regarding the war between Israel and Iran in 2024) without any notecards.
After the presentation, I sat back and thought to myself, “I can’t believe I just did that!” I am so happy with my progress and all the more passionate about continuing my Arabic-learning journey.
Describe your typical day at the Arabic School.
I woke up around 7:30 am to get ready, rushed to breakfast, and then was in Standard Arabic classes for 3 hours. Then came a break for lunch, and a short break afterwards to do homework or chat with friends before a 1:30 pm Dialect class. After that, there was another short break before my hour-long 3:30 pm Dance class, after which I met up with friends to work on homework before dinner. After dinner, if there wasn’t an event or dance performance I had to prepare for, I would go to office hours, a 1:1 session, or just study with friends until bedtime.
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the Arabic School?
If you want to sit in a classroom from sunup to sundown, stuck in an inflexible schedule, and surrounded by people you have fleeting acquaintanceships with, then this program is not for you.
If you want to have a varied education, become immersed in cultural experiences, make lifelong friends, and spend 8 weeks in a tight-knit community of passionate Arabic learners and teachers, then Middlebury’s Arabic School is the way to go.
What’s next for you?
As a recent graduate, I am now on the lookout for jobs in the DC area. I am primarily looking for positions in the development or humanitarian sector, focusing on the MENA region. I would like to utilize my Arabic skills to not only better understand the context in which I’m working, but also speak directly to beneficiaries about their needs.
