My First Week At Middlebury Chinese Immersion Program | 我在明德全浸式中文课程的第一周
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- Experience my first week at Middlebury's 2 Month Summer Chinese Immersion Program! This video is meant to document my initial thoughts and to share my daily life as a Level 3 Chinese Student. I also go over my study strategies and my thoughts on what it's like. This program is a serious investment of time AND money, so I wanted to make this series to help those who are interested learn first-hand what the experience is all about.
This is actually my second time in the program and took place Summer 2019. The first time I went to Middlebury's Summer Chinese Immersion Program was the summer of 2015 when I was a Level 2 Student. The different levels are as follows from least to most advanced: Level 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 4. There is a large jump between each level, which is why a Level 2.5 exists.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience both times, although this program is NOT for the faint of heart. You cannot communicate in any other language than the target language (Chinese) the entire time, and the 2 month course is equal to an entire academic year at a University Language Program.
Any questions, please comment on the video below! I'd be happy to answer them as best as I can!
I apologize about the amount of time between uploads. I had a lot of personal struggles as well as lifestyle adjustments I've had to make recently.
I am now able to edit more, and Part 2 will be coming much sooner than Part 1 took to get out.
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SONGS USED:
Intro/Outro: Shoob Lastings: "Bop Down"
Other Songs: RUclips Free Audio Library
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Super helpful video. I'm on the fence about going, but now I know I gots to find the cheddar to go here.
Thanks for the kind comment! Glad it was helpful for you. Yo, you DEF gots to find the cheddar to go there, OR you can try for one of the scholarships, there are different levels, some full rides, some partial tuition. I was fortunate enough to be funded 50% by Middlebury through one of their scholarships. Definitely worth a try. I took out a loan for the other 50%... lol
Thank you for the fun video!! I will be a level 3 student at Middlebury Chinese School in just under a month and I am really excited, though perhaps also a touch daunted too. I'm still a college student ("rising sophmore") and this will be my first time attending the Middlebury language schools but I'm really excited >o
That's awesome! How did it go???
@@EdVenturesVlog it went really well I think! I had a really good time and would've done the program again this year if money allowed 😁 (I actually managed to get a study abroad scholarship so I'll be doing that this summer and I'm super excited!) I really liked my entire summer at Middlebury and I'm still in contact on and off with a few of the people I met there!
That's so great! I'm glad you had a good experience. The 2 times I went were incredible for me too. Where are you studying abroad? How long is the program?? I'm living vicariously through you lol
@@EdVenturesVlog I'm actually going to Japan! I'm going to the CLS program in Okayama (I learning both Chinese and Japanese and I decided to apply for Japanese since I went to Middlebury for Chinese last summer)
That is so dope! Wow have an amazing time! Lmk how it goes, I wanna go to Japan too 😏
Just wanted to say thank you for uploading these vids, you inspired me to document my own Japanese Middlebury experience on RUclips as well since I found your vlogs so helpful! :)) Your videos made me realize 1) how helpful it is to have a general idea of what you are getting yourself into and 2) how nice it is to have videos of yourself to compare your progress to, so thanks again!
That's so awesome! Aww I'm glad I could be helpful to you! Yes, that's why I decided to document my experience as well! So glad to meet other Middlebury Language School alums!
I love your Chinese name. Can't wait to be accepted as a 2025er. 加油！！
Thanks! So you're planning to attend Middlebury Summer Chinese Language School in 2025?
That’s really interesting and a language I’m considering to immerse myself as well. Professor X here. Stay safe!
Thank you, hope you are staying safe as well. It's a language that I would recommend immersing yourself in since it is so hard to get proficient at (especially the writing system). You have to keep your Chinese muscles working too. If you stop studying you'll begin to lose your proficiency (like any language, but I found it goes quick with Chinese personally). Let me know if you decide to go further in your Chinese studies and how it's going!
Ed Ventures I believe in it. It’s from a completely other family language than ours. I’m a a Portuguese speaker but anyway.. Chinese is another story I guess hehe
@@o_felipe_reis Yes, Chinese grammar-wise is not too hard in my opinion, and even the tones can be handled easily with some focus, but the Characters (for me at least, and many others) are by far the hardest part. I definitely need to stay more consistent myself in reviewing them! :)
Ed Ventures one day I’ll know what you are talking about haha! Thanks for sharing man! Stay safe
@@o_felipe_reis You will one day know the pain haha. Thanks! Same to you
Hi! i was wondering if you knew what the acceptance rate for the summer immersion program is? Like is it really competitive? thanks so much:)
I think you have to have a reason to want to do an immersion in a language. It is intense but worth it. Some people in level 1 want to challenge themselves and think is cool Language other have more serious reason since as improving to work in China or finding there roots.
The acceptance rate is high if you're willing to pay full price lol. (I don't think they really turn anyone away) There are some scholarships but VERY few and far between and competitive. That being said, I'd recommend applying anyway cuz you never know!
I think they value people who they see as impressive who will go in to do important things/have already "overachieved" a lot and have a personal and powerful connection to the language that would make them stand out. Sorry for not replying until now!
Did you end up going?
@@EdVenturesVlogAgree with you!
@@gweisa899 Have you also attended Middlebury language school?
@@EdVenturesVlog I notice you did Middlebury Language School for two years. Difference level. I also want to do it again sometime. It just the money. I am in Taiwan for 8months and half for Mandarin learning. I have made a lot of progress in the languagee.
I would be coming from the inner city of North Philadelphia. How much is it for a summer program? Does this include meals and room?
Yes it includes food and lodging
@@EdVenturesVlog Thank you for your reply.
Aye! Glad to see you posting. Keep up the dope content!
Thanks so much! There is more to come
I always been passionate about learning new languages. Just got to know this school now and i am fascinated .I am trying to apply. How is the process with scholarships ?
There are several routes you can go with scholarships, the full ride scholarships are really competitive, but if you qualify you can get a 50% scholarship like I did. I had to take out a loan for the other 50%.
Here's a link for more info:
www.middlebury.edu/language-schools/funding
If you have any additional questions I'm happy to answer them! FYI, for summer 2021, the language immersion schools will be online again I believe. I recommend going back when you can be there in person, it will make all the difference in your language immersion and retention. :)
How are you at Middlebury right now? Isn't it closed?
Summer 2019
Yeah I posted this after attending in 2019! I wasn't there during the pandemic.:)
Hoping I attend Middlebury this summer!
I hope they'll be able to safely hold in-person classes again soon. Are you looking to go into the Chinese school, or another language? Good luck!
Do you know how much the Spanish summer immersion program costs?
You'd have to inquire with the Spanish School, but I think it should be about the same.
Were there any working students in the program? I'm interested in doing the program this summer but I will still have to work remotely. I'm not so much worried about the schedule since my job is flexible ,but if I have meetings etc is it excusable to use English in those instances? Is it zero tolerance English?
There are a few people who take partial time off for business but still do business things in the privacy of their own rooms, quietly. You're not allowed to use any other language in public or within possible earshot of any other students.
Usually the people who don't take 100% time off are more wealthy and can afford the program without worrying too much if they can devote as much time to study as much as they should in my opinion.
I think you should assume this is your life 24/7 for 2 months. If you have some meetings here or there it may be ok, but missing just one class will put you way behind, since each day equals 1 week of class in a normal college environment.
So if you will be taking meetings during the daytime and miss class and other activities often, as long as you don't care about your grade as much and can afford the program easily without much worry of not getting the most "bang for your buck" for it, or you just want to be in an immersive environment but don't care about the classes I'd say it's ok.
But if you really want to do the program justice I wouldn't try to work at all really. Maybe just the odd 20 minute work convo a few times a week, otherwise I think you'll be upset that you're paying so much not to have the full benefit of the program. Basically if you try to work even part time during this course I think you'll find yourself way behind, frustrated and playing impossible catch up and the program may not be worth it.
Tbh, I'd recommend talking to the Chinese School Office about your situation before you apply and be honest with them about WHEN your work/meetings would be and HOW LONG you'd need to devote to work every day. They won't sugarcoat things for you. If they feel it would be a waste of time for you to go there they'd probably tell you.
I can't stress enough how much of a rigorous and intensive learning environment this is. It's your absolute focus for 2 months and is incredibly difficult, no matter the level you're in. You have a very heavy workload and you will never be able to memorize everything 100% since every single day there are quizzes and homework. But it honestly is probably the best language program in the world, so if you're determined it's an amazing opportunity. :)
Gotcha. I have done CLS a program that is more rigorous than Middlebury and it's in the actual country so I have a general idea of the rigor and hours of work that would be required. However I am also a working adult so I can't quit for an entire summer unfortunately 😂. I will reach out to them. I'm confident I can make it work and my job is flexible enough, I was just interested in some opinions because all of the students seem a bit younger and probably do not have this dilemma. Thanks for your reply!
@@MsJackson1330 I'd say most students are younger, but there's definitely a good mix. There are several people who are in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond! :)
I’m thinking about doing this program in the summer, I have a few years of Chinese under my belt but I have serious anxiety about it. Is there any way I could contact you about the experience?
Absolutely! Sorry I didn't see this comment until now!
My email is officialedventures@gmail.com
你好！I am officially attending the Chinese Language School this summer, and I'm extremely nervous. I only have one year of college-level Chinese under my belt. Any tips or suggestions?
你好! That's awesome! You're definitely starting with more experience than some people do! There's some people that do the program with ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE in Chinese whatsoever and they find it pretty challenging, but they also learn A LOT very quickly! I'd just say try not to push yourself y compare yourself to others in the program (either within your level or at the other levels), and you gotta do what you can handle. It's very rigorous and there's no shame in choosing to go down a level after a week if you feel that the level you were put in is too much for you. Even though it may not feel like it in the moment, every day you're learning SO MUCH being in an immersive environment. And that's worthwhile, even if you are not in a "higher level", whatever is most useful to YOU is what matters. :) It is pretty intimidating, so you're smart to reach out for tips! If you feel like asking any more questions, or want to chat more, feel free to reach out to my email: officialedventures@gmail.com
@@EdVenturesVlog Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!
oh how I miss MIddlebury. I hope to go summer 2021
That's awesome! Were you attending the Chinese school as well?
@@EdVenturesVlog Portuguese level 1. It was rough haha
@@malikbooker9187 Oh wow that's awesome. Yeah Level 1 is the hardest level in the beginning, especially if you're a complete beginner. I remember it was ROUGH for the Level 1 total beginners for a while. Did you have any prior experience with Portuguese?
@@EdVenturesVlog no experience before besides doing a level on memrise
@@malikbooker9187 Oh wow that must have been a really interesting experience
Easy to sign when you can already hold a conversation. pfft.
Haha, yeah it's definitely harder for those without any experience. I salute the Level 1 Students! They learn more in such a short period of time than any other level!
I'm curious, are you interested in doing a language immersion program like this, or have you done one in the past?