Graduate Student Ambassadors

James Allen

Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Program: Master’s Summer option
Current: Senior Special Projects Coordinator, Columbia Global Paris Center

Why did you choose to study at our School of French?
The rigor and reputation of the Middlebury Language Schools had been on my radar for some time, thanks to friends and colleagues who spoke so highly of their experiences at the School of French. When I learned about the option to complete the program over four summers, allowing me to pursue graduate studies without leaving my job, I knew it was the right program. My decision was sealed after conversations with the School’s Director and Assistant Director, where I learned about the wide range of courses and the vibrant life of the summer school. I was also impressed by the warmth and efficiency of the administration, which was not a small factor in my final decision.

What surprised you about your experience at the School of French?
I was most surprised that such a place could exist. For six weeks, a community of faculty from all over the French-speaking world and a diverse group of French-loving students come together for both intense study and play on the lush and serene Middlebury campus. I found myself away from all the distractions and noise of my daily life, fully able to dedicate myself, for the first time in my life, to French.

Please describe how your skills improved due to your studies at Middlebury.
Before attending Middlebury, I had mostly been exposed to French from France. At the School of French, with professors from Québec, Cameroun, Burkina Faso, and other regions, I discovered new literatures, cinemas, and perspectives on what it means to be a French speaker. This broadened my comprehension, reading, and writing, and opened new possibilities for expression. Just as importantly, each assignment stretched my abilities and pushed me to use the language in new ways, giving me a level of confidence I had not experienced before.

Describe your typical day at the School of French.
As someone who likes routine, the summer School of French was a dream. Typically, I would get breakfast around 7 a.m., head to the library to study and work on assignments, attend class from 10 a.m. until lunch, then have another class in the afternoon. Afterward, I usually went to the badminton courts before dinner. Evenings were spent back at the library, attending a conference or event, or sometimes simply taking a breath from it all in the quiet of my room.

What is one of your favorite memories from your summer at the School of French?
There’s not one memory that is my favorite. Though I loved all of my summers in different ways, I have to say that I look back at my first six weeks at Middlebury with the greatest fondness. The excitement of discovering the campus and the program, the late nights spent reading, writing, and stargazing, the blossoming friendships. It was without a doubt one of the best summers of my life.

What advice would you give someone wanting to attend the School of French?
When it comes to the four-summers option, it may sound like a long time, but they truly fly by. Enjoy every minute, take advantage of every opportunity, try to step out of your comfort zone. It’s an investment with fruitful rewards. But don’t forget to take care of yourself and to rest along the way.

What are you up to now?
Now, I live in Paris and work at Columbia University’s Paris Global Center! More concretely, I work on the Center’s civic engagement and journalism initiatives, through free public programs, conferences, workshops, podcast episodes, and more. In my free time, I enjoy exploring Paris with the city’s bike-sharing system, playing badminton (a sport I discovered a passion for while at the School of French) with my club, reading, and going to the cinema.

Lauren Clawson

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Program: Master’s Summer option
Current: French Teacher, Lindbergh High School

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

During my four summers with Middlebury Language Schools, I felt the most like myself that I ever have. French language and francophone cultures have been my passions since I was a kid, and getting to fully immerse myself in that world while surrounded by other people who share the same level of interest and passion brought me such a feeling of belonging and purpose.

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

I taught French abroad with the TAPIF program and met someone in France who had nothing but amazing things to say about her 7-week summer in Middlebury. Because Middlebury partners with TAPIF, I was able to attend informational sessions to learn more and was hooked with the concept of the language pledge. My French improved drastically because of the pledge, and staying in French allowed me to explore other aspects of myself and my identity.

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

I became confident and comfortable expressing myself in French at Middlebury and I reached a level of proficiency and fluency that changed French from a language I was learning to a part of who I am. I use French every day in my job as a French teacher, I am supporting a bilingual family in growing their French proficiency so they can be there for both parts of their son’s identity, I connect with friends in French regularly… French is truly a part of my every day life and my experience at Middlebury Language Schools made that possible.

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

I have come to believe that with any experience, you get out of it what you put into it. I was all in at Middlebury, taking advantage of connecting with the amazing people, participating in the incredible range of activities, and seriously committing myself to my studies and growth. As a result, I feel I truly benefited from all this experience has to offer, and it is an experience that absolutely changed my life for the better. I am so excited to share that with any prospective Middlebury Language Schools students!

Omar Rachid Zaim

Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela
Program: Master’s Summer option
Current: Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (Lakeside School in Seattle, WA)

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

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being immersed in community and how much I loved the summer in Vermont! There is so much to do on campus and the professors, assistants and students are such an enriching group!

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

Because of the reputation and flexibility of summer programming!

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

I teach French and lead language learning workshops in French through ACTFL. I continue to write book chapters and articles on interculturality in the French classroom. My work at Middlebury is still highly relevant in my professional life.

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

You will absolutely love the summers in Vermont. Take advantage of the course options, activities, lectures and the friends you’ll make along the way!

Erin Smith

Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Program: Master’s Summer option
Current: ESOL Instructor, English Language Institute of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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

I was surprised by the sense of community among students, professors, and staff. Even though I arrived not knowing anyone, I quickly felt I had lots of support and encouragement. I was nervous about living with people I had never met because I’m a fairly introverted person. I was also worried that the environment would be very competitive and that my spoken French wouldn’t be as good as that of the other students. However, these worries proved to be totally unnecessary. I was amazed by how supportive everyone was and by how much everyone wanted each other to succeed. It was an incredible experience.

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

Being able to speak French with ease has been a dream of mine since I took my first French class in high school. I majored in French as an undergraduate, but after graduating I didn’t have many opportunities to speak it. I lost some of my fluency and a lot of confidence, and I was disappointed in myself for letting go of something that had meant so much to me for so long. When I heard about the Middlebury Language Pledge®, I knew that I wanted to study there because an immersive environment was exactly what I needed to achieve the level of spoken French that I wanted.

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

My spoken French improved immensely at Middlebury. I had felt pretty comfortable writing in, reading, and listening to French before going to Middlebury, but I didn’t have much confidence in my speaking abilities. Middlebury helped me let go of my fear of making mistakes, which was what I needed to develop my fluency. It also gave me more opportunities to have non-academic conversations, something I didn’t have much experience with before since I had never spent more than a month at a time in a French-speaking country. Now, I use French at work when prospective students from Francophone countries have questions about the English Language Institute of the University of Tennessee. I also use it to help current students feel more comfortable and more at home in Knoxville. In the future I would like to get a Ph.D. in French Studies.

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

Middlebury helped me achieve my life-long dream of being comfortable speaking another language. It also allowed me to develop a passion for French and European history, understand cultural issues that I had always had questions about, and meet fantastic people that I will always stay in contact with.

Camden Villaire

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Program: Master’s Year Abroad
Current: Middlebury College French Master’s

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

The community was just as important as the academics. I met so many wonderful friends there, but the professors and other faculty members were supportive as well.

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

I wanted an intensive language program with the option to study abroad for a year in France.

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

I am currently living in Paris, France. I use the language everyday with other students and during interactions I have in the real world.

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

Even if you are unsure about applying to Middlebury, you should do it! Even if you just want to try one summer, it is worth it. I am so glad I decided to to this program. My language skills have improved and I have met so many wonderful people.