Brother and Sister in the Middlebury Language Schools

Daniel is from Woodstock, Vermont, and is currently a Brand Strategy and Social Impact Consultant. We sat down to learn more about Daniel’s experience at the Language Schools.

Why were you interested in studying Mandarin?

Studying Mandarin Chinese has been a life long goal. My mother is originally from China and although my dad is American he became a fluent Chinese speaker during his time in the military. I’ve always wanted to be able to have simple conversations with them as well as to learn more about my heritage.

What surprised you about your experience at the Chinese School?

I didn’t realize just how intense the experience would be. If I wasn’t in class learning, I was at the library studying and every day felt very, very full. I also didn’t expect to be dreaming in Chinese by the third week!

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

I live in Vermont and Middlebury’s reputation is very strong here. After researching the Middlebury Language Schools, I learned that it’s one of the best if not THE best place to learn Chinese. The rigorous, immersive experience coupled with the Language Pledge are exactly what I believed would help me achieve the language skills I wanted.

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

I believe that if you put in the work every day and fully embrace the Language Pledge, there’s no way you can’t improve dramatically being in an immersive learning environment like Middlebury. Specific to my experience, my skill level grew from being able to (awkwardly) order dumplings at a Chinese restaurant in week one to being able to thoughtfully describe the lives of migrant workers living in big Chinese cities by my last week. If you’d told me in week one that I would be able to do that I wouldn’t have believed you.

What makes the Chinese School a unique place to learn the language? 

Without a doubt, it’s the fully immersive experience coupled with the Language Pledge. When you live in a Chinese-only dormitory, eat every meal with Chinese-speakers, and are surrounded by Chinese language instructors and motivated Chinese language learners all day your brain is forced to adapt in order to communicate effectively with those around you. That goes for everything from participating in daily classes to working out at the gym to asking someone in the dining hall to pass the salt!

Describe your typical day at Middlebury.

I typically woke up at 5:30 every day so I could get to the Middlebury gym at 6:00 to start the day. Then I usually met a few classmates for breakfast at 7:00 where we’d usually engage in small talk and try to practice new vocabulary and grammar (all in Chinese of course!). Classes began each day at 8:10 and lasted until 11:30 at which time the entire Chinese School would have lunch together in the dining hall. 

In the afternoons, we’d either have a group activity like Tai Chi or Chinese Calligraphy, a one-on-one session with an instructor to ensure we were communicating effectively, and for me a few hours in the library to begin tackling my homework. Dinner started at 5:30 with the entire Chinese School and I’d finish out my day by going to the library from roughly 7:00-10:00 before heading back to my dorm for a little more prep before lights out at around 11:00. For me, the days were incredibly full and I studied so much that my instructors joked that the library was my second home. I have to add that spending a Summer in Middlebury is a quintessential Vermont experience and we were lucky to be surrounded by the Green Mountains and beautiful farmland.

What is the biggest lesson you learned at the Chinese School?

The biggest lesson for me was to trust that the teaching process would lead to the learning outcome I wanted. That meant doing all the prep work, showing up early for class, trying to really engage in class, not skipping any activity, and following your instructors’ advice big and small. When you do the work every day and try your best to live in the moment, it all adds up to success in the end.

What have you learned about yourself at the Chinese School?

I was a pretty mediocre, forgettable student in college and this experience helped me realize that being laser-focused, being actively engaged, and putting in the work every single day leads to a successful outcome. I wish I could have told that to my 18-year-old self, but my Middlebury Chinese School experience is proof that learning never stops.

Did you discover anything unexpected at the Chinese School?

I didn’t expect to learn so much about both historic and contemporary Chinese culture. One lesson in particular actually helped me understand my mother in a way I never quite understood as a child. It was truly eye-opening. 

What advice would you give to those interested in studying at the Chinese School?

First of all, take the leap and apply to the program…it might just be one of the most memorable and fulfilling experiences of your life. When you get here don’t just sign the Language Pledge agreement, but embrace the Pledge by actively putting yourself in positions that challenge you to learn. For me, that meant speaking out loud as much as I could and not worrying about making mistakes. The more you put yourself out there the more you’ll get back. 

See you at the Chinese School in Summer 2026, Daniel and Lynn!

Middlebury Language Schools enrolls students 18 to 85-years-old in 12 languages. The Chinese School offers a 8-week summer immersion program as well as a Master of Arts (MA) in Chinese and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a Secondary Teaching License in Chinese. Applications are open November 1 to May 15 before each summer. Reach out to languages@middlebury.edu with questions.