Graduate Student Ambassadors

Luke Fennema

Hometown: Highland, Indiana

Program: Master’s Summer Option

Current: German teacher, Illiana Christian High School

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?

The food! It was way better than I expected college food to be. I was also pleasantly surprised by how much the professors care about their students and want them to succeed.

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.

Middlebury’s language pledge meant that I had to speak, hear, and think in German all the time. This helped me become more confident in using the language. At the same time, in my Master’s classes I deepened my understanding of how to write academically, interpret literature, and analyze history in the German language. All these skills are helping me to be a better high school German teacher.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of German?

Come to Middlebury! The professors are amazing, the extracurricular activities help you live the language, and the students are fun to be around. As a high school German teacher, I marveled at the progress made by students over just seven weeks. Nothing will help you learn German better in a short amount of time than Middlebury.

Bettina Hoops

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Program: DML in German and French

Current: Lecturer at the University of Michigan, School of Education and German Teacher at Rudolf Steiner High School

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?

The quality of instruction at the graduate level pleasantly surprised me.

Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?

Because of its long history of language instruction and excellent reputation as well as the practicality of the DML program and its pragmatism paired with academic excellence.

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.

I am a native German speaker so I was able to reuse my native language skills. I also entered the program to learn research skills. As far as my second language is concerned, I am planning to spend next summer at the French School and expect great improvement in my language skills.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of German?

The instructors and instruction are excellent in Middlebury. The combination of excellent instruction with the immersion experience and the language pledge create the success of the summer language programs.

Thomas Horn

Hometown: Boston, MA
Program: Master’s Summer Option
Current: Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?

I did not expect the feeling of community that develops over the course of 6 weeks and that persists in subsequent summers. It is hard work in a supportive and friendly environment. Perhaps not a surprise, but I was very grateful for the flexibility afforded me as I progressed.

Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?

Middlebury’s reputation for excellence in foreign language education was the primary reason.  Subsequent to my contacting the program, that reputation was justified. I was always made to feel like a valued person, not just the next student. So, a no-brainer.

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.

I grew up in a German household with two German parents. We only spoke German at home. After 40 years in medicine, I wanted to return to those linguistic and cultural roots. The conversational German that I learned from my parents is getting a make-over and major upgrade thanks to Middlebury. For me, this endeavor is for personal fulfillment, but who knows what lies ahead?

What makes the German School a unique environment to learn the language? 

The combination of immersion in the language, excellent instructors / staff and a sense of community, all set in a program that has existed for over 100 years cannot be reproduced in the US.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of German?

Dive in!

Describe your typical day at Middlebury.  

I start most days in the nice sports facility – weight room, aerobic equipment, pool – all easily accessible.  Breakfast and classes come next followed by study / reading in the afternoon. The food is surprsingly good – lots of variety. Meals are a nice opportunity to get to know the faculty better outside of class and office hours. I enjoy meditating in the late afternoon and usually find an Adirondack chair in a quiet spot outside for my practice.

Tlhokomelo-kOle Lekhutle

Hometown: Maseru, Lesotho
Program: Master’s Summer Option
Current: German Teacher at Alliance Francaise de Maseru

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?

Dreaming in German my third week! Naturally I can’t remember what the dream was about; just that there was a lot of talking and a lot of German. I was also surprised at the friendships formed in just a few weeks. At the end of the programme, it felt like at least a few months had gone by.

Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?

The immersive programme allows one to really tap into one’s language acquisition and production potential. Middlebury College and the Language Schools had already unlocked my potential as an undergraduate student. Given what I had already managed to achieve at Middlebury in a short period of time, no other place was an option.

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.

Confidence in speaking. While I am aware that there is much more I have yet to learn, I’m also aware that there is enough in my arsenal to adequately navigate different contexts, be it academic, professional or everyday situations. I plan on exploring further my creative voice in German and sharing my acquired language skills with others (I am currently teaching adults).

What makes the German School a unique environment to learn the language? 

The immersion offers a community of people equally enthusiastic about language learning, which is both inspiring and motivating. This community also includes the professors and staff. We learn together, eat together and have fun together. Everyone is approachable and one gets to know who they are as people beyond just the classroom.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of German?

The pledge is no easy thing but soooo worth it. It can be frustrating to have a lot of deep, complex thoughts but to lack the words to express them. You won’t be alone in that frustration. It is all part of the process and, trust me, it gets easier with time. 

If you’ve had other language learning opportunities, how would you compare them to your experience at Middlebury?

Middlebury allows one to live the language. Learning does not end when one leaves the classroom. While still a kind of simulation, it comes closest to giving one the experience of learning in the country of one’s target language.

Describe your typical day at Middlebury.

I am an early riser (not always by choice, I’m afraid), so I either start with a walk around campus or 25 minutes of anime, dubbed in German. Then a bit of studying, perhaps going over the assignments I worked on the previous night. Then breakfast outside. Classes. Study before lunch. Last class of the day. Another episode of anime. Volleyball with a friend. Library. Dinner. Library. Anime. Sleep. Saturdays were for my creative writing club and nothing else.

My typical day was supposed to start with going to the gym. Unfortunately, however, I’m not disciplined in all areas of my life. I only went to the gym my first morning on campus, never to be seen on those grounds again.

Chris Power

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Program: Master’s Summer Option
Current: Assistant Editor at Asymptote Journal and Senior Teacher of French and German at Fluent City

What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?

I was surprised by the quality of the instruction. It’s a rare privilege to work in such close proximity to renowned researchers and academics.

Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?

I choose to study at Middlebury, because immersion is the only way to truly master a language. Language courses can teach helpful phrases, but only through living in the language day and night can one approach fluency. 

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.

I’ve worked as a translator in New York at different companies over the past three years. I’m also now applying to Ph.D programs in German, French, and Comparative Literature.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of German?

Get involved and take full advantage of all the offerings! I saw a performance of “Samson et Delilah” at the Metropolitan Opera. I had never had much of an appreciation for opera before studying at Middlebury. One is inundated throughout the summer by cultural events: lectures, exhibitions, musical performances, a German language play and an opera. These are not only opportunities to improve language skills; they are also edifying in their own right.

Moreover, the relationships that one forms with fellow students can last a lifetime. There are so many interesting, creative students and professionals who come together every summer to learn German that one spends the entire summer making exciting new acquaintances. This camaraderie keeps one motivated on the long and difficult road to fluency. I couldn’t recommend it enthusiastically enough.

Traci Dolan-Priestley

Hometown: St. Albans, WV
Program: Master’s Summer Option
Current: Professor of English and German at West Virginia University at Parkersburg

What surprised you about your experience at the German School?

There is nothing that can prepare someone for the first semester at the German School, especially in the graduate program. It is intense, and the majority of students in the immersion and graduate programs somehow manage to mix a lot of fun with the drive and determination needed to learn a foreign language in six weeks. The administration and instructors are completely dedicated to helping students be successful. 

Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?

I had wanted to advance my language skills for a long time and also have the opportunity to teach. Not only does Middlebury have one of the top language schools but also offer the outstanding opportunity to work toward a masters or doctoral degree during the summer. This is especially helpful for teachers seeking to advance their skills, education, and opportunities without having to relocate their entire life, which sometimes simply isn’t feasible or the best choice. Without Middlebury, I would not have been able to complete my degree. 

Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.  

I had to relearn a lot of grammar to even enter into the program, so that was the first major improvement. My vocabulary and everyday usage of German became exponentially more fluent as did specialized vocabulary related to literature, history, film, and pedagogy. Each semester became easier, if there is such a thing in the graduate program. My German host family also remarked as to how much my German has improved. I also write creatively in German, and it became easier to express myself in a more complex way. 

How are you currently using or planning to use the language you studied in your daily life (job, personal, research, etc.)?

Right now I am teaching German to a small group of students through independent study. I do hope to continue writing creatively and academically in German and publish in the future. While it is great to be able to teach, it was also a major personal goal, so I’m happy regardless of what may come. 

What makes the German School a unique environment to learn the language?

Unwavering support from administration and instructors while in the immersion environment, and a lot of fun and helpful activities to improve language skills. I haven’t had this type of experience since I went to Germany as an exchange student.  

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the German School?

My perspective is of the graduate school. You will need exceptional time management skills. If your instructor lists any materials, try to get your hands on them ahead of time, even if just digital until you can get the hard copy at Middlebury, and start reading. You need to be prepared to be dedicated to what you’re doing while also knowing your limits and when to take time for yourself. It is okay to cry. 

If you’ve had other language learning opportunities, how would you compare them to your experience at Middlebury?

The only learning experience that was better was actually being in Germany as an exchange student. As one of my instructors correctly stated, “If you have six months, go to Germany. If you have six weeks, go to Middlebury.” 

Describe your typical day at Middlebury.

I always had an early class, so I would wake up by 7:00 am, drink coffee, eat breakfast, and be in my first class by 9:00 am. Depending on my schedule, I would either go to my next class or return to the dorm/townhouse and prepare for my next class, eat lunch, prepare for class, and go to my last class. After the final class of the day, I would return to my room and begin my homework. Any extracurricular activities were most often in late afternoon or early evening. I would return to my room after any activities (I did not participate in long-term activities my second and third semesters) and continue with homework for the next day and plan for assignments, term papers and projects, even if they weren’t due until the end of the week or until the end of the semester. Planning ahead was crucial for me and helped to alleviate some of the stress in the “Middlebury pressure cooker.”