<p>Hey, I’m a junior looking to apply to Middlebury. Unfortunately, I can’t visit unless I actually get accepted, so I would really appreciate any input into life at Middlebury.</p>
<li><p>How “dangerous” is Middlebury? As in, are there any bears that like to wander around town and are there horrible snow storms? I am from a rather large town/small city in California, and I’ve never had much experience with living in a rural area. Or snow, either, except for when I was four and living in Seattle.</p></li>
<li><p>Tell me about the Arabic program. Even if I study Arabic, would I be able to study abroad in Spain, the UK, or Germany? (From what I hear, people who study French go to France, etc.)</p></li>
<li><p>Speaking of study abroad, what can Middlebury offer me in terms of money for plane fare and living expenses (including food, clothes, etc.)? How long can I study abroad?</p></li>
<li><p>How expensive is life in Middlebury? That is, excluding tuition and housing, do bookstores give good discounts on books, is there cheap food, shops with relatively inexpensive clothes, etc.?</p></li>
<li><p>From the pictures I see, Middlebury has no color except in the fall. If anyone has any pictures disproving this, could you please post them?</p></li>
<li><p>Your best Middlebury experience is ______________<strong><em>, and your worst is </em></strong>____________.</p></li>
<li><p>If you live Middlebury, then you’ll love <em>insert college.</em> (Middlebury is a definite reach, and I would like to find some safeties/matches that are like it. I want to major in international affairs.)</p></li>
<li><p>Would attending Middlebury help me with jobs and grad school in the west coast? Experiences? (Almost no one in my town knows Middlebury is a college, much less a fantastic one.)</p></li>
<li><p>How are the dorms? (Beds, desks, closets, bathrooms, etc.) Do we get free, unlimited heating?</p></li>
<li><p>Fill in the blank: Dependable, cheap, wireless internet is ________________.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you so much everyone!</p>
<p>I can't really answer any of your questions as I'm not a Middlebury student, but if you're interested in international affairs and are looking for a less competitive alternative to Middlebury, I would highly recommend Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. L&C offers the same strong international affairs/foreign language programs that Middlebury offers, but admission to the school is less competitive.</p>
<p>Lewis & Clark is definitely on my list. Thanks!</p>
<h1>1: There are no bears wandering the streets of Middlebury. Snow is fun.</h1>
<h1>5: There are some Goodwill-type stores in Middlebury where you can find cheaper used clothes. "Expensive" is a relative term depending on what you're used to paying for food and other things.</h1>
<h1>6: Do you consider green a color? (Vermont = the Green Mountain State.)</h1>
<p>Have you looked at Middlebury's website? You can find answers to your questions there about study-abroad programs, dorms, post-grad opportunities, etc.</p>
<h1>1: Flatlander is right. No bears at Midd. Just snow and lots of it if you're lucky. I'm also from California and trust me, you get used to the snow. Just make sure you invest in a coat to last you four years.</h1>
<h1>2: The Arabic program is one of the hottest departments and probably the most fast-growth language right now. Lots of arabic students and the department is trying to keep up. New abroad school in Alexandria, Egypt. If you need a contact there, let me know.</h1>
<h1>3: Some financial aid students make money when going abroad. That said, tuitions vary by location and what you spend also depends on the strength of the dollar in the country you're in. You can study abroad so long as you meet the language requirement (for those countries with language req.). You can study abroad for as long as a year and a half (if you are a FEB) but usually a year.</h1>
<h1>5: Midd can be very inexpensive if you play your cards right. Dining halls are "free" (already included in tuition) so you shouldn't be paying for food. Middlebury town is small and there isn't a lot to buy. If you do buy, it can be on the pricey side. Books will also be pricey at the bookstore (they're working on it) so watch out for that too.</h1>
<h1>6: Of course Middlebury has color in the fall. Two years ago was tough because of a pre-mature freeze that dropped leaves too early but this past year was vibrant.</h1>
<h1>9: Midd's Career Services are friendlier than imaginable but you have to find the time to go in and see them. West coast is a little tougher post-college but don't worry about that. Midd alumni help middkids all the time.</h1>
<h1>10: Dorms on the whole are fantastic. We had a little bit of a shortage this past year with overenrolled freshmen class but minus maybe one building, it's all very good. Heat is free and plentiful, once they turn it on for the entire campus (it's a mathematical formula that determines the date depending on the temperature). New rules for upperclassmen this year will open up senior housing options too!</h1>
<h1>11: Wireless internet is becoming more and more prevalent on campus and is supposed to be universal by this year. Outdoor spaces are a little tough but all dining halls, library, BiHall, and most dorms have it! In town, go to Carol's Hungry Mind Cafe.</h1>
<p>Although my D did not end up going to Middlebury, she was accepted and we know the town well. My brother went to Midd many years ago, and loved it and is an alumnus interviewer and remains connected to the school emotionally if not in other ways. Middlebury is one of the most beautiful campuses I have seen. The town of Middlebury is tiny but wonderful. Many terrific restaurants and other quirky shops. We visit the town often during the summers when we stay in our house which is about an hour away. I have never seen Middlebury in the winter, but I would guess it is lovely in the snow. Vermont is a gorgeous state in all seasons. Middlebury has its own ski area which you might like to explore. I teach French and Spanish and I know that Midd's language program is top of the line. My nephew, a junior at Tufts, spent last summer studying Japanese at Midd in preparation for spending his junior year in Japan. He says that Midd's program helped him get very comfortable in the language and he is grateful for what he learned there. I would guess Arabic at Midd would be pretty wonderful. Good luck!</p>
<p>flatlander --- Yeah, I have looked at the website, but I wanted a student's perspective. Thanks for your input!</p>
<p>rkellett --- It gives me confidence to know a fellow Californian can survive snow! (xD) Thank you so much for all the information.</p>
<p>franglish --- Thank you for the info, especially about the language programs.</p>
<p>Dickinson is a possibility as a backup school. Good international relations, beautiful campus and great library.</p>