Student Ambassadors

Anthony Macie

Hometown: Vernon, Vermont
Program: 8-week Immersion
Level: 1, 2.5, 3, 4
Current: Tufts Fletcher School

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

How much you can learn in such a short period of time in the correct environment.

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

I was told Middlebury was the best for learning languages and it certainly did not disappoint!

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

I’ll be able to continue my learning in Chinese to develop relationships and support for my work in SE Asia.

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

It is challenging, but highly rewarding. It opened up a passion for learning languages I didn’t know that I had, so I will now be a lifelong learner of languages not stopping with Chinese.

Mark Roose

Hometown: Williamsburg, Virginia
Program: 8-week Immersion
Level: 1.5
Current: Patrick Henry College

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

How incredibly supportive and caring the teachers were. I expected them to be good - Middlebury’s reputation speaks for itself - but I didn’t expect them to be so personally invested in each student’s success. When I was struggling with a particularly tough grammar concept or felt overwhelmed, they were always ready to sit down and work through the problem with me, no matter how long it took. They genuinely cared about our progress, not just academically but personally too.

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

I’d heard Middlebury was basically the place to go for language immersion, and I wanted to challenge myself with something completely different. I was only able to say “nihao” (and not properly) when I started, so it felt like jumping into the deep end - but that’s exactly what I needed. I also knew that having Chinese language skills could open up incredible opportunities for internships and future career paths, especially with how connected the world is getting.

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

The transformation was honestly mind-blowing. I went from zero to a hundred, literally having never studied any Chinese, to being able to carry full conversations by the end of the program. I’m definitely not fluent yet, but I can express my thoughts, ask complex questions, and understand responses - which felt impossible when I started. The Language Pledge was brutal at first, but it forced me to actually USE the language instead of just studying it. Now I find myself thinking in Chinese sometimes, which is wild.

Describe your typical day at the Chinese School.

I am not great at time management, so my day usually began around 7:45 AM since classes started at 8:00 AM! Classes ran the entire morning with different focuses like speaking practice, grammar, and cultural components. In the afternoons, we frequently had one-on-one sessions with a teacher and attended extracurriculars. Evenings were for homework and activities. My favorite learning was just hanging out with other students and trying to have normal conversations in Chinese. It sounds intense, and it was, but it was also really fun once you got into the rhythm.

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

Just go for it, even if you’re terrified. I was pretty scared that I wasn’t ready or smart enough for such an intensive program, but the support system there is incredible. Also, embrace the Language Pledge from day one - don’t try to cheat it or work around it. It’s uncomfortable at first, but that’s where the real learning happens. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes; everyone’s there to learn, including you. The other students and teachers want you to succeed just as much as you do. It wasn’t until the end of the second week when I threw off my fear of being wrong that my learning really picked up. 

What are you up to now?

I’m back at Patrick Henry College, and I’m amazed at how this experience has opened up new possibilities for me. I’m looking into internships and future opportunities where I can use Chinese, and I feel so much more confident about my ability to communicate across cultures. I have also been able to create the first Chinese-focused club on campus, which has been an incredible joy in my life. The skills I gained at Middlebury are already proving to be invaluable. I recommend Middlebury to everyone who has any interest in languages (and people who don’t) :)

Zoe Snell

Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Program: 8-week Immersion
Level: 1,2,3
Current: Undergraduate student at The Pennsylvania State University

What surprised you about your experience at the Chinese School?

I was surprised by how much Mandarin Chinese I have learned in such a short amount of time. I never really thought about it until after the summer was over. For me, one summer at Middlebury is equivalent to two semesters of Chinese language classes at my university. Another thing that surprised me was how the professors were relatable and aware. They acknowledged our struggles and even admitted that they felt the same as us at times. They were your professors and your friends, and this made for making meaningful connections to last even after the program is over. 

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

My mom actually found out about Middlebury through a Facebook post back in 2018. She brought it up to me because she thought it was a great way to learn more about my culture and language since I’m adopted. At first, I was really hesitant and didn’t bite on it. My mom convinced me over and over how great of an experience it would be, so I eventually agreed. I was actually going to apply earlier, but then COVID-19 happened. I wanted to experience the language schools in person rather than online. My first time at Middlebury was during the summer of 2023. 

Back home, I decided to switch my major from business to Chinese. I knew in my heart that continuing my education with Middlebury would help me advance further. I then went back again for level two the following summer. Now, I’m returning for a third summer. The way I’ve been taught Chinese, the reputation of the Chinese School and its professors, and the growth from the experience were all reasons that pulled me back in to apply again and again. It was honestly the best decision I made, for personal and academic reasons.

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

It was a mix of everything: the pace, the Language Pledge, the textbooks, extracurriculars, and your classmates and teachers. For the past two summers learning with the Chinese School, my reading, writing, and speaking improved leaps and bounds like I would’ve never believed. Now, I’m able to maintain relationships in Chinese with my Middlebury professors and make new connections with native Chinese, professors and classmates, at my university. I am planning on graduating early thanks to my time at the Chinese School. This program gives me hope and confidence that I will be well prepared to apply for graduate school to pursue a Master’s in Chinese.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend Chinese School?

Go for it. You will meet so many supporting teachers and classmates from all sorts of backgrounds. I would’ve never imagined having a class with a 60 year old Scottish woman, but I did. Your teachers all come from highly reputable schools based in the U.S. and China, so make the most of trying to create a connection and relationship with them. They’re there to help you succeed and support your language journey no matter what step you’re at. The support and inclusion you feel from everyone is such a bonus. Sharing the same fun and struggle with your classmates and teachers was something I never had before. It was a different atmosphere for the better compared to the usual college experience. You might think you’re alone, but you’re really not. I will admit, there were times where I felt overwhelmed and things got tough with the coursework. I even had times where I doubted my own ability with language learning and wanted to quit. In the end, it was worth all the hard work. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help and support. If you’re willing to push through it and not give up, you will be so proud of yourself and the results.