Meet 8-week Chinese Immersion Student: Mark Roose
For level-1 Chinese immersion student Mark Roose, our instructors’ personal investment in his success made all the difference. He went from never having studied Chinese, to being able to carry on full conversations by the end of the program.
Mark Roose
Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia
Program: 8-week Immersion
Level: 1
Current: Patrick Henry College
Why did you choose to study at our Chinese School?
I’d heard Middlebury was basically the place to go for language immersion, and I wanted to challenge myself with something completely different. I was only able to say “nihao” (and not properly) when I started, so it felt like jumping into the deep end - but that’s exactly what I needed. I also knew that having Chinese language skills could open up incredible opportunities for internships and future career paths, especially with how connected the world is getting.
What surprised you about your experience at the Chinese School?
How incredibly supportive and caring the teachers were. I expected them to be good - Middlebury’s reputation speaks for itself - but I didn’t expect them to be so personally invested in each student’s success.
They genuinely cared about our progress, not just academically but personally too.
The transformation was honestly mind-blowing. I went from zero to a hundred, literally having never studied any Chinese, to being able to carry on full conversations by the end of the program.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
I’m definitely not fluent yet, but I can express my thoughts, ask complex questions, and understand responses - which felt impossible when I started. The Language Pledge® was brutal at first, but it forced me to actually USE the language instead of just studying it. Now I find myself thinking in Chinese sometimes, which is wild.
Describe your typical day at the Chinese School.
I am not great at time management, so my day usually began around 7:45 AM since classes started at 8:00 AM! Classes ran the entire morning with different focuses like speaking practice, grammar, and cultural components. In the afternoons, we frequently had one-on-one sessions with a teacher and attended co-curricular activities. Evenings were for homework and activities. My favorite learning was just hanging out with other students and trying to have normal conversations in Chinese.
It sounds intense, and it was, but it was also really fun once you got into the rhythm.
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the Chinese School?
Just go for it, even if you’re terrified. I was pretty scared that I wasn’t ready or smart enough for such an intensive program, but the support system there is incredible. Also, embrace the Language Pledge® from day one - don’t try to cheat it or work around it. It’s uncomfortable at first, but that’s where the real learning happens. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes; everyone’s there to learn, including you. The other students and teachers want you to succeed just as much as you do.
It wasn’t until the end of the second week when I threw off my fear of being wrong that my learning really picked up.
What are you up to now?
I’m back at Patrick Henry College, and I’m amazed at how this experience has opened up new possibilities for me. I’m looking into internships and future opportunities where I can use Chinese, and I feel so much more confident about my ability to communicate across cultures. I have also been able to create the first Chinese-focused club on campus, which has been an incredible joy in my life. The skills I gained at Middlebury are already proving to be invaluable.
I recommend Middlebury to everyone who has any interest in languages (and people who don’t).
The Chinese School welcomes applications to our immersion, MA, and MAT with Teaching Licensure programs.
Connect with Mark or another one of our Chinese School immersion ambassadors.
Applications for summer 2026 open on November 3, 2025.
Gather your materials to apply here.
