Meet 8-week Russian Immersion Student: Henry Brooks
Current MA student at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, Henry Brooks, shares about his action-packed summer at our 8-week School of Russian.
From: Montclair, New Jersey
Program: School of Russian- 8 week immersion program
Current: MA student in the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, studying European studies with certificates in Russian/Eastern European/Eurasian, Asian, and Diplomatic studies.
Why the Middlebury Immersion Program?
The Middlebury Immersion Program is simply the most efficient, fun, and stimulating method to learn a foreign language. The language schools have an impressive reputation that attract the best teachers, staff, and most motivated students. More so than just learning Russian, I wanted to live in the language and immerse myself in Slavic culture
If you’ve had other language learning opportunities, how would you compare them to your experience at Middlebury?
I have had the opportunity to study Russian abroad in the Baltics and take intensive courses at Georgetown University. Middlebury takes the cake.
Even living abroad, where the majority of people speak Russian, they will want to converse in English. Strangers on the street of Russian speaking countries aren’t paid to try to help you learn the language, so they don’t. But in Middlebury, everyone has the shared goal of improving their language skills and has taken the Language Pledge®.
Describe your typical day at Middlebury Language Schools:
7:00-7:45: Wake up, eat breakfast
7:45-9:00: Lift weights listening to Russian music or podcasts
9:00-12:00: 3x one hour classes focusing on grammar, phonetics, reading or oral proficiency
12:00-1:00: Lunch with the amazing staff of bilinguals or classmates, and some homework
1:00-2:00: Culture class spent learning about Slavic culture
2:00-3:30: Time with the Russian schools wonderful phonetic coaches or grammar tutors
3:30-5:30: Soccer/volleyball practice or rehearsal for the Russian school play
5:30-7:30: Shower, eat dinner and watch the beautiful sunset over the Vermont mountains
7:30-10:30: Watch a Russian film, attend office hours, or attend Russian tea hours ot play cards or chess.
10:30-11:30: Homework and bed!
What advice would you give to someone considering attending the Russian Language School?
Do it! If you are motivated and love the language, you will not regret it. When you get there, do as much as you can. Try not to spend too much time in your room, take part in clubs, sports teams and explore Vermont with some friends. Make friends with students in the higher levels and the bilinguals, they will help you with the language and make sure you honor the pledge.
The bilinguals are your best friends. They are incredibly hardworking, empathetic, and intelligent.
And don’t forget to call your loved ones periodically, in whatever language is best.
Apply to join us this summer at the School of Russian - Our next application deadlines are March 15 and May 15th!