How the Language Schools (Just like Scooby-Doo) Changed My Life
PhD student Shahriar Akhavan Tafti’s summer at our German School “rewired his brain,” and “changed his very being.”
Shahriar Akhavan Tafti
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Current: Neuroscience PhD Graduate Student at the University of Vermont.
A Reflection on Life’s Journey
Do you ever find yourself sitting somewhere quiet, reflecting on your life journey—how you ended up where you are, met the people you met? Perhaps you reflect on how some critical aspects of your life, like your career or relationships, were a by-product of a coincidence. You sit in stillness, in awe of the random nature of fate.
Perhaps you contemplate whether it’s all really random. Maybe there’s a reason for everything that happens, or is it all meaningless, with us assigning meaning afterward? But, right… let’s not dive too deep into that rabbit hole right now.
Comical Twist of Fate
For me, fate played out in such a comical way that when I look back, I can’t help but chuckle at my own story. I was born in Yazd, Iran—one of the hotter regions, not as lush as the north, but thankfully not as humid as the south. Before I could even form memories, my parents and I moved to Tehran, the capital. We were fortunate enough to have access to bootleg cable… from Turkey of all places. So as a little kid, I indulged in Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, and Disney Channel to my heart’s content. My favorite TV? Scooby-Doo. Thanks to the sponge-like learning ability of children, I ended up speaking and understanding English along with Persian — my mother language.
This little butterfly effect ended up shifting the trajectory of my life.
The Butterfly Effect of Language
You know how meeting a single person can trigger a butterfly effect that changes the course of your life? Now, imagine doing something that changes the very people you will meet— a butterfly effect squared, if you will. That’s what learning a new language can do.
That’s exactly what learning a new language did for me. English allowed me to study in the U.A.E. under a British curriculum, which opened doors to universities around the world. Eventually, this path brought me to the U.S., where I found myself studying at Kalamazoo College.
It’s funny to think that my journey into U.S. academia began with the simple gateway of Scooby-Doo. My reality had shifted through language, and this contrast was so clear to me.
The Choice of a Third Language
So when it came time to choose a third language in college, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow… another trajectory shift ahead… and this time, I get to choose?” What language should I pick? Should I be practical? Maybe choose one that aligns with my career? Or the one with the most speakers? I even considered French, since I had a bit of experience with it in high school. But no amount of pre-rationalization sufficed, knowing how dramatic this shift could be. So, in my mental calculus, I hit a wall and made a snap decision based on specifically “nothing”. I opted for… absurdism.
I randomly chose German — and I refused to rationalize it and I committed to it, knowing full well it was going to have an unbelievable impact on my life.
The Middlebury Experience
So, that decision brings us to my German classes, where I met professors who eventually recommended that I apply to Middlebury for a summer. A summer that rewired my brain and changed my very being.
Middlebury is a place that changes lives—not only by shifting your reality through language, but also through the friendships you form, the experiences you have, and the amazing people you meet.
All of these elements influence and shape the new persona that emerges within you as your new language evolves.
My First Middlebury Summer
My first time at Middlebury, I was placed into level 1.5—a comfortable spot for people with some experience in German but who hadn’t quite mastered the finer aspects of the language. I was filled with excitement and awe, both at the beauty of the surrounding nature and the gravitas of everyone around me.
I was surprised by how much fun everything was, from the classes to the extracurricular activities like hiking, volleyball, and yoga, as well as all the social events. All of this, of course, came with the Language Pledge® in place.
I never expected to develop a comprehensive volleyball vocabulary at Middlebury, but here we are.
Reactions to the Language Schools’ Intensity
What was fascinating to observe was how people reacted to the intensive nature of Middlebury. The defining factor often came down to how one handled mistakes. If you have a bad relationship with failure… boy, this entire summer could feel like a mental cramp that sends you spiraling.
But if you’re gentle with yourself, practice grace, and understand that the path to success is paved with failure—setting aside the shallow perfectionist mindset—then you’re in for an unbelievable summer of growth and joy.
Returning to my own College After a Middlebury Summer
When I returned to Kalamazoo College, all of my professors were shocked. I remember going to office hours and initiating a conversation entirely in German, spending about 30 minutes discussing things in the language. It blew both of our minds. After that, every German course I took became a breeze. But of course, there’s always more to learn.
During my senior year, while applying for Neuroscience PhD programs, I added the University of Vermont to my list of schools to look into simply thinking “why not” given my experience in Vermont and Middlebury. And through yet another butterfly effect and coincidence, UVM ended up being a perfect fit. So I packed my things after graduating from undergrad and moved all the way from Michigan to Vermont for grad school, which naturally led me to apply for another summer at Middlebury.
The Second Middlebury Summer
Now, back at Middlebury, I was ready to fully immerse myself and give back to the community that had such a profound impact on me.
As part of my application, I volunteered to lead yoga and meditation sessions, offering a stress outlet for the community given the intense nature of the program. This time around, I was placed in level 3, and I embraced every opportunity to challenge myself academically, intellectually, and physically. I’ve connected with incredible people—some of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met—and am leaving Middlebury with a solid C1 level of German.
I say this without exaggeration: If one has the right inner state, the Language Schools can be the perfect place to bring out the peak potential of the human condition.
It’s a place where you feel deeply fulfilled in every aspect of humanity—where Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can be fully realized. After seven weeks in this incredible environment, I feel sharpened and reenergized, ready to kick off my Neuroscience PhD program at the University of Vermont with a bang.
Looking Forward to Future Shifts
The language program at Middlebury has woven itself into my life, leading to profound friendships, cherished memories, and periods of growth that have already altered my path in ways I can perceive. But the ripples of this experience are far from over. I can’t predict how Middlebury’s subtle aftershocks will continue to shift my reality, but I sense that their impact will be both transformative and far-reaching, reshaping my journey in ways yet unseen.
Applications for our graduate, immersion, and German for Singers programs at the German School open on November 3, 2025.
Gather your materials to apply now.
You can also connect with a German for Singers, immersion or graduate ambassador.
