Meet 8-week Chinese School Immersion Student: Allen (Dhameer) Rocke

What first made you interested in pursuing your language study at the Chinese School here at Middlebury?

I was looking for a program like something my sister did with Spanish a while ago. I remembered she couldn’t speak English for 4 weeks and thought that was an awesome way to learn a language and would be perfect for me. I did a little research, and I go to college in Burlington so Middlebury seemed great since I already knew a nearby area and I wouldn’t have to leave the country. One of my professors mentioned that Middlebury was one of the best language schools in the world, and I was happy with my decision. 

How has your Language Schools experience impacted your career/career path?

Before Middlebury, I knew I wanted to learn another language, and I kind of thought maybe visiting would be nice. I didn’t realize that you can go to other countries and go to school to learn the language. 

What are your future plans?

I’m going to go to Taipei National Normal University to study at the Mandarin Training Center for a year after I complete my degree at my current college this coming May.  

How much did your Chinese improve at Middlebury?

I came in as a total beginner and left with a ranking of Novice High. I’d say that’s a lot of progress, but I still have a TON to learn and I’m super excited to get better!

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury? 

Just how much someone can learn in only 8 weeks. I expected Chinese to be this impossible to learn thing that would take forever to understand and I would only leave maybe knowing a few things. By the end, my classmates and I were able to pick out words we didn’t know and replicate them vocally (sometimes) and we could form sentences with correct Chinese grammar.

What advice would you give someone who is considering attending our Chinese School? 

Have a Chinese music playlist ready, and even though at the beginning it might feel like things don’t make sense or they are busywork, it all has a reason and it will come full circle by week three. You’re going to hit a ramp up and then all the hard work you put into the first three weeks will feel amazing and you’re going to feel so amazing. 

What is one of your favorite memories of your time at the Chinese School? 

Going on walks with my classmates and teachers, and making dumplings, and going to office hours, and taking the group photos. These were all really fun and I can’t pick just one. 

What makes the Chinese School so special?

When it feels like you’re making no progress and you sound like a baby, and a teacher waits and lets you figure out what you want to say and then you get it right, that makes all the hard work worth it. 

Apply to our 8-week Chinese School  or our Chinese graduate programs when applications open on November 1!