Student Ambassador Korean Graduate Program

Michael Ormsbee

Hometown: Schenectady, New York
Program: Korean Masters program
Current: Writing Instructor, University of Rochester

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

I don’t think I was surprised by much as a graduate student. I attended the summer program twice before, so I was familiar with the immersion aspect of the Middlebury language schools, and I enjoyed it enough to want to return for the Masters program. I would say that each time I attend the language program, I’m surprised - and impressed - by how much time and effort the faculty put in to help students improve. It’s very hard to complete an immersive language program as a student, but I think it’s even harder to teach in one - teachers lead classes, supervise clubs, and talk with students during meals. It’s a level of dedication that has helped as a student, and inspired me as an educator.

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

I wanted to continue my study of Korean, to the point where I could do more than just read books in Korean or converse with people. I wanted to be able to teach other people who, like me, were inspired to study Korean but didn’t always have the resources, or who didn’t know where to start. Why Middlebury in particular? First, I had a lot of respect for the program already, after attending the summer immersion program in 2017 and again in 2022. Second, the fact that I could complete the Fall and Spring semesters online made it possible for me to make progress towards the degree while working full-time.

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

That’s probably a question better answered by one of my former teachers, although I’ll do my best. I think I’ve improved in many areas, and my vocabulary - especially vocabulary related to teaching and linguistics - has definitely improved. I can read Korean novels, newspapers, and scholarship in my areas of interest (literature, television, and film). I can communicate effectively with most people I interact with, and I’m confident in my ability to accomplish most tasks as they arise in daily life. However, I still struggle with speaking precisely at a natural pace (although I have this problem in English too), and sometimes my sentence structures are influenced by how I would usually express myself in English. Even though I am confident in my ability to teach Korean from the Beginner to Advanced levels, there are a lot of areas in which I want to improve. More than anything, I’m grateful for the environment at Middlebury, which encourages iterative practice and the willingness to make mistakes. Every time I leave Middlebury at the end of the summer, I feel like I’ve made substantial improvement, but also gained motivation and clarity for how I can continue to improve afterward.

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

For students interested in the 8-week immersion program, I’d recommend focusing on process over outcome. Language learning is an iterative process, and establishing a routine that works for you is usually better in the long run than overworking yourself for a single test or unit and then burning out. Being able to focus on only language learning for 8 weeks is an incredible opportunity, but it also takes a lot out of you - figuring out your optimal rhythms and routines, your preferred study methods, and how you like to recharge, are all steps that will help you get the most out of the Korean immersion program while setting you up for success once the program ends.