Early Arrival 2011 : explore, connect, create.

Starr Hall

As an International student, I got to arrive at Middlebury College earlier than regular students. As this environment is totally new, we consequently need more time to adapt.
Early Arrival occurred for a week, and the least I can say is that there was barely any time to get some rest! On the one hand, it was a good thing because this way, we got to explore the campus in details, to be in the know about essential information and also, to have fun by getting to know the other international students. On the other hand, this busy daily schedule was so intense that when it ended, you were quite pleased it is over! The activities would start from 9am, only to end around 10pm. I honestly did not have any time to unpack, so my luggage was rotting on the floor, taking quite a lot of space. When thinking about it, I believe I was reluctant to unpack too. Indeed, this would mean moving on to a new chapter, putting an end to what I have always been used to. Unpacking meant to remove my stuff to put them in a new environment, which I was eventually ready to do after two weeks. I know, it took me some time.

My bed was already covered with a pillow and sheets!

At that point, my room was pretty...empty.

             The first day, we took a van in order to go to town, where we opened a bank account as well as going shopping a bit, and by that, I mean buying essential items, such as hygiene products. Remember, my luggage had still not arrived! The night I arrived at Middlebury College, I put a lot of energy into finding out what was going on with my luggage. The lazy young woman working at the counter did give me the number of the US Airways counter, but this proved to be useless. When I called, nobody replied. Even though it was a bad start, I did some research online (there was still no wifi back then but my roommate lent me her cable, how nice) and found the number of the baggage service center. After several calls and a lot of patience, i.e, thirty minutes, I finally hung up and felt better. The workers were patient and willing to help me. How relieved I was to be told that the luggage did arrive and that it would be shipped the next day. It indeed did the next afternoon. Although I am not a materialist, I have to say I was relieved to find this big blue-navy square-shaped luggage, heavy as hell. As my room is located in the 4^th floor, it would have therefore taken me hours to carry it upstairs (three floors to climb). Fortunately my roommate was nice again and helped me in this tough task.

                In brief, the Early Arrival consisted of information sessions regarding life at Middlebury and most importantly, sessions with the International Student and Scholar Service that provided us a lot of absolutely important elements to know about our visa status, student employment, etc. The rest of the activities were social ones which aimed at making people get to know each other better through diverse events: dance parties, Scavenger Hunt, movie screening…

Ross Dining Hall

                This week of adaptation proved to be useful for at the end of that period, I felt way more familiar with the campus and its surroundings, whereas I used to be completely lost at the beginning. Everything seemed so gigantic and majestuous, which was no wonder, because the concept of a campus is typically American. Universities in France do have student housing but they mostly do not involve anything else than a place to sleep. I have seldom heard of any activities at my home university, and the notion of community is non-existent compared to here. Students are divided into several Commons (think about Harry Potter and the different houses: well, it is a bit like that). During their four years of life at the college, their designed Commons and the members will be like a second family. In public French universities, there was no such thing. My student life could be summed up in a few words: go to school (quite a struggle with these unsteady public transportation), attend classes then come back home. I will provide further details in my next posts about the differences between my home university and the American college I am at. Naturally, divergences are expected when all you have known so far are public schools, and that out of the blue you land in a private elite liberal arts college.

The Memorial Old Chapel

Mccullough Center

                Anyway, Early Arrival was a nice start and everybody got to know each other a bit better. I was surprised and confused when people kept asking me if I was from UWC. The hell is UWC? I learned it stood for United World Colleges, an international group of schools. People from all around the globe get to study in international high schools and level up by going to college while being granted a scholarship. That is why many international students already seemed to know each other. It all makes sense! The funny thing being the fact that 90% of international students come from UWC.

In the next post, you shall find learn more about Orientation Week!

Starr Hall (I live in that side)