Immersive Learning Experiences
Interested in taking your learning beyond the classroom?
The Center for Community Engagement’s immersive learning experiences provide students opportunities to engage meaningfully with communities, locally and globally, developing a deeper understanding of societal challenges, the systems that shape them, and how each of us can contribute to the public good throughout our lives.
We offer curricular and co-curricular opportunities during the academic year and in the summer. All immersive experiences include a cohort-based, community-engaged travel component. Learn more here.
Immersive Learning Opportunities ‘26-‘27
1. Democracy Initiatives Immersive
Education, Opportunity, and Civic Identity. Schools do more than teach students how democracy works—they teach young people, explicitly and implicitly, what power they have within it. This experience will explore how place, opportunity, and educational inequality shape civic identity, and asks what schools can—and cannot—do to help young people see themselves as participants in our shared civic life.
- Advisor: CCE Staff,Jason Duquette-Hoffman
- Course credit: 1 credit: ½ credit in the Fall, ½ credit in the Spring
- Travel component: One week in Washington DC during February Break 2027
- Program Requirements: Application required. Academic credit includes participation in two, 1/2 credit courses(one in the second half of the Fall semester, one in the first half of Spring semester). Open to all students.
2. Language Access Immersive (J-term)
Language Access within Immigration, Public Health, and Educational Systems. The January Language Access Immersive is embedded in the winter term language access course, *LNGT 1010. Three weeks of this four-week course will take place on the Middlebury campus. One week will take place in Boston, Massachusetts where students will connect with, learn from, and support those engaged in language access work, advocacy, and research through lectures and conversation, applied projects, and direct service.
*this is the winter 2026 course description, 2027 course description and instructors will vary, but will maintain similar topics and themes
- Advisor: CCE Staff, Kristen Mullins
- Course credit: J-term course (independent-study credit for cohort leaders)
- Travel component: One week in Boston during J-term course, 2027
- Program Requirements: Application required. Academic credit includes participation in a J-term course. Open to all students. Speakers of two or more languages are especially encouraged to apply.
3. Language Access Immersive (Summer ‘27)
The summer Language Access Immersive is a two-week, interinstitutional program connecting with community partners in Boston and New York City in June. Find additional information and applications here Spring term ‘27.
How to Apply
Applications are now open for the ‘26-‘27 Democracy Initiatives and Language Access Immersives!
Join the CCE for an Information Session on Friday, September 18 from 3:30-4:30PM at the CCE.
Watch this space, subscribe to our Weekly Opportunities E-Newsletter, or follow us on instagram where we will share these and other opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to participate in this program?
There are no costs to leaders and participants for the ‘26-‘27 academic year.
Will there be an information session about this opportunity?
Yes, there will be an information session on this program and how to apply on Friday September 18th 3:30-4:30 at the CCE, 26 Blinn Lane.
What if I am studying abroad?
For the Democracy Initiatives immersive: You will need to be on campus Fall and Spring terms to participate in the Democracy Initiatives immersive, due to the 1/2 credit fall and 1/2 credit spring course that is part of this immersive. You will also need to be on campus the last week in January to participate in a mandatory pre-departure meeting. All participants are required to travel to and from Washington DC with the group. This applies to all participants, including cohort leaders.
For the Language Access immersive: You will need to be on campus for J-term with no other travel/internship plans. There is an early Spring term reflective evening that participants are required to attend. If you apply to be/and are selected as a cohort leader for this immersive, you will need to be on campus for this Fall ‘26 term as well. All participants are required to travel to and from Boston with the group. This applies to all participants, including cohort leaders.
Is the travel component of the program student-led?
Student leaders are essential to this program.They will work closely with their CCE advisor on trip logistics, content and group facilitation pre, post and during the travel component of the immersive. Some trips will be accompanied by an advisor who will be available for guidance and logistical support during the trip.
Does the CCE still offer alternative break trips?
The CCE’s immersive learning program is no longer called ‘Middlebury Alternative Break’ or ‘MAlt’ as it has been affectionately known for many years. The new structure for this program allows us to offer students different types of immersive, community-engaged learning experiences, locally and globally, for credit and/or as co-curriculars.
Contact Us
Claire Tebbs
Program Director
- Email:
- ctebbs@middlebury.edu
- Tel:
- (802) 443-4238
- Office:
- 26 Blinn Lane