Student Ambassadors
Speaking with a student ambassador is a great way to get a previous student’s perspective on the Language Schools experience.
If you would like to connect with a student ambassador to ask questions, please contact Joseph Tamagni, Italian School Assistant Director, at italianschool@middlebury.edu.
Arianna Conteras
Hometown: West Covina, California
Program: 7-week Immersion
Current: Pasadena City College and Supervisor at Bon Appetit Management Company
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
What surprised me the most were the people. Everybody came from all over the place and we all had at least one thing in common: to learn more about a new language and culture. This common factor is what brought everyone together and I was able to meet and make friends with people I would never had had the opportunity to encounter.
Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I was given a wonderful opportunity to see the Middlebury Language Schools from a different point of view and I decided to pursue it. The Middlebury Italian School opened the doors for me and it completely changed my life. This program helped me figure out what I want to do with my life and I’m excited to be a part of it.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
By the end of this summer, my Italian improved significantly. I’m a lot more fluid when speaking and reading is becoming more second nature to me in Italian. I’m currently practicing and using my Italian at the Los Angeles Institute of Italian Culture, where I’m attending advanced level Italian. This year I’m applying to Italian graduate programs and I hope to become a professor in Italian and modern languages.
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of Italian?
By the end of this summer, my Italian improved significantly. I’m a lot more fluid when speaking and reading is becoming more second nature to me in Italian. I’m currently practicing and using my Italian at the Los Angeles Institute of Italian Culture, where I’m attending advanced level Italian. This year I’m applying to Italian graduate programs and I hope to become a professor in Italian and modern languages.
Claire Kenny
Hometown: Haddonfield, New Jersey
Program: 7-week Immersion
Current: Smith College
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I was surprised by how warmly encouraging and kind the staff and professors were when helping us navigate this challenging language immersion experience. I was also surprised by the deepness of the friendships I made despite us all speaking something that wasn’t our first language.
Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I wanted to increase my verbal fluency in Italian and immerse myself in the Italian culture to build confidence for someday traveling to Italy. I was also attracted to the idea of learning within a social, collaborative community.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
My Italian language skills skyrocketed at Middlebury in many respects. I became quicker in my speed of speaking, quicker and sharper with listening comprehension, and broader in my range of vocabulary. I became more calm and confident speaking in a language that was not my first language. I plan to work in diplomacy with the U.S. State Department in Italy as a Foreign Service Officer or Civil Service Officer working with the Italy base. I also may like to become an Italian professor or Linguistics professor. I also am an opera singer and am hoping to perform in many Italian operas, so the program will help me with diction and stylistic techniques specific to Italian opera.
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of Italian?
La Scuola Italiana is a community full of warm, gregarious, kind, and highly intellectual people that bring you joy every day. You become more fluent in the language through interactions both inside and outside of class—an experience you cannot get an any other American university. It is both intellectually stimulating and socially fulfilling. Middlebury truly makes learning languages a fun, joyful, and deeply fulfilling experience.
Charlotte Maybury
Hometown: Golden, Colorado
Program: 7-week Immersion
Current: Retired
What surprised you about your experience at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I got back into the student frame of mind; also how much Italian I learned and how easily it was to communicate.
Why did you choose to study at the Middlebury Language Schools?
I have several degrees from Middlebury so it was a return home of sorts. I knew Middlebury’s program was effective and I wanted to learn Italian.
Please describe how your language skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
My Italian went from extremely basic food-and-music Italian to feeling quite comfortable in a simple conversation situation. I hope to travel in Italy and in the mean time, I’m stepping up my cooking and baking of Italian dishes.
What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of Italian?
I was 58 last summer at school, so not the typical student. It was challenging at times being away from home, dealing with the technology in the classroom, and getting used to being a student again. But it all worked out wonderfully well. Please reach out if you are have questions about going back to school - it was so worth it for me